Super premium dog food: characteristics, overview, selection, feeding rules

In order for a dog to fully grow and develop, it needs a balanced diet, enriched with all the necessary macro- and microelements. These requirements are best met by premium and super premium dry food.

Veterinarians unanimously say that proper nutrition for dogs is very important, so there is no need to save money on your pet. For feeding the animal, it is better to give preference to premium feeds, since they use only the highest quality products in balanced dosages, and also introduce vitamins and all the necessary minerals.

Premium and Super Premium dry food contains the following ingredients.

• Protein - Selected beef, chicken, turkey meat, as well as offal (liver and heart) are used as the main source of protein. Slight presence of vegetable protein sources is allowed.
• Carbohydrates - high-quality feed contains only whole grains rich in useful microelements, and not low-grade products of grain processing. Oatmeal, barley and rice are best absorbed by the body of dogs of all breeds, but such cereals as corn and wheat have no place in high-quality products - they are difficult to digest, therefore they create a load on the digestive tract of the animal.
• Cellulose - an essential component of high-quality feed, is responsible for accelerating metabolism. Its sources are vegetables and ripe fruits, sprouted grains and herbs.
• Fats - animals need sources of Omega-3 and -6 to maintain health, as well as the beauty and density of the coat.
• Antioxidants - in premium granules, the presence of these components is allowed, but exclusively on a vegetable basis.
• Vitamins and minerals - expensive formulations are enriched with potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, as well as vitamins B, A, E and C necessary for dogs.

Dry food contains all the ingredients necessary for the growth and normal development of the animal in an easily digestible form.

Feed ratings are based on basic criteria.

• Price - usually the food is more expensive, the more quality meat the manufacturer puts in it, since all vegetable components are much cheaper.
• Composition - products of premium and super-premium class are more than 30% meat.
• Nutritional value. Dogs are very active animals, so they need a balanced diet to quickly replenish their energy reserves. That is why high quality feed must certainly contain a sufficient amount of sources of carbohydrates - healthy grains and proteins.

Here is an overview of the best, according to experts, feeds that are in the TOP according to consumer reviews and the opinion of veterinarians.

This is a dry food made in Canada. It belongs to the super-premium group. The composition includes several types of meat, as well as animal proteins, sources of carbohydrates, necessarily vegetables and fruit ingredients. Less often, the product is enriched with special bioactive additives.

The main features of this brand of food:

• the introduction of extracts of medicinal plants to maintain good physical health of a four-legged pet;
• meat products account for at least half of the composition, all other components are grains, necessarily vegetables and green herbs.

This manufacturer produces feed in several product groups:

• intended for adult dogs and young puppies;
• for lactating bitches;
• for four-legged large or, conversely, small breeds.

The price of 1 kg of such feed is on average 600 rubles.

This feed is made in Italy, a distinctive feature of which is a special manufacturing technology, in which the products undergo minimal heat treatment. This preserves all essential vitamins and minerals to the maximum.

The structure is dominated by meat products - they account for about 50%, as well as vegetables, a mixture of grains (usually oats and white rice), rosemary extract. Preservatives and all kinds of flavorings are not allowed. This food is absorbed by the animal's stomach quickly and in full.

The product is optimal for the smallest puppies (from 1 month old), medium-sized animals and pregnant females.

A pack of feed for 2 kg costs about 1000 rubles.

A food produced in England, a characteristic feature of which is hypoallergenic - there is no gluten, no soy at all and no intolerant dairy products. The granules are completely composed of selected meat, flax seeds, rosehip extract, probiotics, as well as nucleotides and glucosamine. The share of the meat component accounts for at least 30%.

This food is optimal for the following categories of dogs:

• young pets;
• animals with diseases of the digestive system;
• elderly and weakened dogs.

The cost of 1 kg of feed is approximately 500 rubles.

Czech food, optimal for animals from 4 weeks of age. The composition contains at least 45% of meat products, rice accounts for 30%, in addition, the product contains dried fruits, cartilage extract, extracts of medicinal herbs, vitamins, as well as magnesium, calcium and iron.

The use of such food has the most beneficial effect on the dog's body:

• makes the coat thicker and shinier;
• makes your pet's bones and teeth stronger;
• enhances immunity.

The product is optimal for:

• pregnant and lactating bitches;
• pets of large breeds.

The price of 1 kg of feed is approximately 600 rubles.

The products of the Swiss company contain only the highest quality ingredients:

• poultry or venison in natural broth;
• lamb;
• beet or carrot pulp;
• trace elements, vitamins;
• rosehip extract.

The granules do not contain colorants, there are no flavoring agents, flavor enhancers and colorants.

This food is perfectly absorbed by the digestive system of small and young puppies, since it allows the body to develop more easily and maintain good health.

This food is optimal for dogs of small and medium breeds, leading a sporty lifestyle and subject to frequent exertion (for example, fighting or hunting dogs).

The cost of a kilogram of feed is 500 rubles.

German food, which is very popular among breeders in European countries. The composition of the granules includes the highest quality meat products, animal fats, cereals, as well as certainly vegetables, grains and vitamin and mineral supplements.

The products of this brand strengthen the teeth and claws of the dog, while being well absorbed by the digestive tract and does not cause food allergies.

The food is especially good for dogs with digestive problems, as well as for white dogs that are prone to painful individual reactions to food.

Another product made in Germany, which contains no preservatives and flavorings. At least 30% of the product is meat, it also includes eggs, fiber and rice noodles, corn, herbal extracts and flaxseed.

Eating feed strengthens the animal's immunity and gives a boost of strength and energy for the whole day.

The product is optimal for pets from 6 months. Granules are suitable for all types of dogs from six months.

Granules from the English manufacturer are optimal for adult dogs from one year of age. The product is 30% high quality meat. It also includes a grain complex, cereals, sea fish, natural broth, beet fiber, flax seeds, algae, all the necessary amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

It is noted that the use of this product allows weakened pets to quickly restore immunity after an illnessas well as strengthen bones and get rid of the unpleasant smell of pet urine.

The food is available in several categories for adult dogs and older pets.

Joint production of Dutch and Russian companies. The composition includes poultry meat, as well as fiber, grains, minerals, vitamins and glucosamine. The products of this brand are hypoallergenic, optimal for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

The product line of this manufacturer is focused on the nutrition of decorative dogs of medium breeds, as well as age dogs suffering from other diseases.

This Italian food manufacturer belongs to the group of medicinal, intended for large and medium-sized dogs. Granules consist of selected meat, as well as chicken eggs, lean fish, herbal extracts, chicken fat and vitamin and mineral supplements.

Please note that a qualified veterinarian is required before consuming this food.

Super premium American food, which consists of beef, lamb, as well as cottage cheese and eggs. Potatoes, vegetable oil, carrots, tomato, mineral supplements and vitamin complexes are introduced as additional components.

The products of this brand are completely absorbed by the pet's stomach and can reduce the pungent smell of dog feces. Optimal for dogs of large and medium breeds, pregnant bitches and young mothers, as well as grown-up puppies from 1 year old.

Manufacturer of specialized pellets for weakened and old animals.The composition of the feed includes meat, cereals, potatoes, fish, as well as mineral supplements and a complex of vitamins.

Please be aware that this feed is classified as medicinal, therefore, a veterinarian consultation is required to select a dosage.

This brand of feed is very popular in Europe, the product is distinguished by its hypoallergenic composition. As a rule, it is based on chicken and venison. The product is additionally enriched with amino acids, flax seed, vitamins and minerals.

These feeds are suitable for consumption by animals from 6 months of age of all and categories of activity.

Top rated Canadian food in the world. Its distinctive feature is the high content of meat - it accounts for about 80%, the remaining 20% ​​are cereals, vegetables, herbs and dietary supplements, amino acids glucosamine, omega and fish are introduced as additional components.

When choosing the optimal dry food for your dog, you need to take into account several important criteria, the main one of which

• the age of the animal. As a rule, products of reliable brands include assortment lines designed for:
• young dogs from two weeks of age - such a product is optimal for feeding babies and is marked with the “Starter” designation;
• teenage dogs, whose age ranges from 2 to 10 months, it is designated as "Junior";
• animals from 1 to 8 years old - this category of feed is called "Adult";
• older dogs - usually the "Senior" parameter is indicated on the packaging of such products - it is optimal for animals over 7-8 years old.

Manufacturers produce feed for:

• Small breed dogs - they usually look like small granules that the pet can easily and quickly bite through with its miniature chewing apparatus.
• For medium-sized dogs - the composition of such products includes larger granules with the required degree of hardness. These products not only satisfy the animal's nutritional needs, but also help cleanse tartar and exercise the jaw.
• For large animals - the product category is produced in the form of large granules. The composition additionally includes glucosamine and chondroitin. These components maintain the health of animal cartilage and prevent premature depletion.

The lifestyle of the animal should have the most direct impact on the selection of the optimal feed. There are several product categories.

• Active or Energy - used for pets that are in constant motion, for example, for dogs participating in competitions, hunting animals, as well as those dogs that accompany their owner during morning runs. In addition, foods in this category are indicated for weakened animals or dogs that have undergone surgery, trauma, suffering from hypothermia - the composition contains an increased amount of protein required to meet the daily energy requirement.
• Normal or Standart - such products are purchased for pets who spend most of their time in the apartment and only go for a short walk a couple of times a day.The activity level of these animals is usually characterized as average, therefore it is important to adhere to a diet that will prevent the development of obesity in dogs.
• Light - the best choice for dogs with a sedentary lifestyle. This feed has a balanced content of proteins and fats, thanks to which the animal loses excess weight without any problems.

Try to give preference to reliable, well-established manufacturers in the market. Please be aware that premium and super premium feed cannot be cheap.

When using dry food, it is very important to provide the animal with constant unhindered access to clean water. If canned food is 60-70% liquid, then dry food does not contain it at all. The lack of water in the most unfavorable way affects the functioning of the organs and systems of the canine body, which often causes chronic diseases of the pet.

Another important point is adherence to the feeding regime. An adult dog requires food 2 times a day, while it is advisable to pour the food into the bowl at the same time and in approximately equal amounts, making up half of the average daily recommended dosage. For example, at 7 and 19 o'clock or at 8 and 20. The meal schedule may be different, but it should take into account your work schedule in order to be followed daily.

Please be aware that the animal needs to be fed not before the walk, but after. Everyone knows that you need to "work up" your appetite. This is especially true in the case of dogs. The fact is that activity against the background of a full stomach dramatically increases the risk of volvulus. This is a rather dangerous condition of the animal, which can even lead to its death if surgical intervention is not performed in time.

The pet's menu should be constant. Many inexperienced breeders think that a pet needs a variety of food - this is a big mistake. Frequent change of types of food and types of feed leads to their worst assimilation by the animal's body.

Most dogs eagerly consume food of the chosen once brand for years. Regular change of the manufacturer causes gastrointestinal disorders, stool disorders and an imbalance of minerals in the pet's body. It so happens that industrial feed is not suitable for the animal or its health condition requires the use of products of a different category. In this case, you need to gradually transfer the dog to a new product.

It usually takes a week to transfer a dog from one type of food to another. Every day, the proportion of the natural component is reduced and replaced with dry granules.

When transferring an animal from "natural" to dry food, a serious mistake is often made - breeders start comparing the volumes of consumption of natural and dry food. Accustomed to giving their pet impressive doses of food, the owners do not believe that 300-400 balls per day are enough for their dog and they pour him a full plate. Be sure - the dog will definitely eat this amount of food, but do not be surprised later if the animal becomes lethargic, and the hair begins to fall out in tufts.

Mixing of feed is allowed exclusively during the transfer of the pet to dry food and only for a short time. In other periods, it is not worth adding granules of a dry product to the mash, as this leads to an imbalance in the diet, which has the most unfavorable effect on the condition of the pet.

If you notice that the dog has lost his appetite, he refuses to eat for several days, then you should not go to the store in search of a tasty treat. Any change in the feeding behavior of an animal is a direct reason for contacting a veterinarian, since it may indicate inflammatory processes in the animal's body.

See below for more details on the production of super premium dry dog ​​food.