03/11/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/11/2022 16:28
When it comes to choosing food for your pet, it can be hard to know where to start. Even once you've decided to go with real, fresh food straight from the fridge, how do you know which recipe is best? Freshpet vet, Dr. Aziza, is here to answer your top questions about the various types of Freshpet's healthy dog food products and which ones may be appropriate for different types of health needs and preferences.
There are many factors that determine the best protein for your pet, including:
I recommended choosing the format of food based on your pet's needs and personal preference. Some dogs have severe periodontal disease and will therefore benefit from the rolls or pate formats since they are softer and more gentle on their teeth, whereas others will prefer the texture of the bagged or shredded food. Also, take into consideration your dog's size - a small breed dog will benefit from the rolls or bagged food formulated in small bites versus those made for a large breed dog.
Some dogs have very severe food allergies and can benefit from being on a vegetarian diet. Although this is not common, having an option like the Spring and Sprout™ Plant-Based Protein and Cage-Free Egg Recipe for Dogs is a great choice for pets with these unique needs. There are some pet parents that are vegetarian or vegan themselves and do not like handling or smelling meat proteins. With the Spring and Sprout™ recipe, it is possible to keep your home completely meat-free.
The protein found in the Spring and Sprout™recipe comes from cage-free eggs and soybeans. This plant-based diet is designed to be nutritionally well-balanced, packed with protein, and environmentally friendly.
If your pet is intolerant to a certain ingredient, you'll most likely see skin or digestive problems like itchy skin or diarrhea. If you're not sure if the symptoms you're observing are linked to food, then consult with your primary care veterinarian.
Dogs with sensitive stomachs can often benefit from diets that are relatively gentle for the digestive system to process. The go-to meal most veterinarians recommend for these types of problems is boiled chicken with rice. If you're not savvy in the kitchen, however, don't worry. Freshpet's Select Sensitive Stomach and Skin is a very good recipe to use. Not only does it have steamed chicken and brown rice, but it also contains pumpkin which is great for constipation and diarrhea.
The benefits of going grain-free are mostly based on the pet parent's preference. It's very rare to have a gluten or grain allergy in dogs, but if your pet has been diagnosed with one, then grain-free diets are perfect for your pet. Thankfully, Freshpet has many options for you to choose from! I recommend trying Freshpet's Vital chicken or beef and bison recipes to meet your dog's needs.
Grain-free diets are the center of many debates within veterinary medicine. Some studies have linked grain-free diets to increased risk of certain kinds of heart disease, but the mechanism that causes this link is still being investigated. However, if you have a pet that is predisposed to developing heart disease then it may be best to not go grain-free. Ultimately, it's important that you discuss with your primary care veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist to determine if your pet is a good candidate for grain-free diets.
If you'd like a second opinion on which recipe to chose, schedule an appointment with your pet's veterinarian. They'll be happy to talk through the different options and make recommendations based on your pet's health history.