Is wet food healthier than kibble

Benefits of Fresh Dog Food vs. Raw Food vs. Kibble For Your Dog

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Food glorious food. Food is an important aspect of the daily lives of humans and dogs. However, dogs dont get to choose what they eat. We choose what we think is best for the health, energy level, and enjoyment of our canine companions.

With the growing popularity of freshly prepared food for dogs (like Ollie, who makes human grade fresh dog food,) our options have increased, and choosing what is best can be challenging. The first step is to consult your veterinarian. Here are some points to consider when you choose a food for your dog:

• Health: A balanced, nutritional diet is critical to maintain good health.
• Activity level: Working dogs and service dogs have different caloric requirements than household pets.
• Age and size: Nutritional requirements differ between puppies and adults, large breed and small breed dogs.
• Food allergies: Some dogs are allergic to specific proteins or ingredients such as eggs, corn, wheat, soy, or milk.
• Taste: No matter what you think, dog food has to taste and smell good to your dog.
• Your lifestyle: How much time do you have available to spend cooking and shopping for your dog?

Fresh Food

Feeding dogs a diet made with natural, real ingredients, such as beef, chicken, lamb, peas, spinach, carrots, and blueberries, can do wonders for their overall well-being promoting heart health, increasing energy level, making coats shiny and breath smell better, improving eyesight, and even impacting a dogs stool.

However, cooking for your pet is a process thats demanding on your time, space, and finances. Merck Veterinary Manual warns, Most homemade diets do not undergo the scrutiny and rigorous testing applied to commercial complete and balanced diets. If pet owners wish to feed their pets homemade diets, the diets should be prepared and cooked using recipes formulated by a veterinary nutritionist.

Fresh dog food delivery services, such as Ollie, work with canine nutritionists to develop cooking methods and personalized formulas that include the vitamins and minerals that meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials standards for dog food. They calculate the exact number of calories needed based on weight, breed, age, activity level, and body composition and take any allergies your pup has into account.

Ollies food is made with human-grade ingredients sourced from reputable farms and approved by veterinarians. They never use fillers, by-products, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Each recipe is cooked by hand at low temperatures in small batches in a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA)-regulated kitchen. All the prep work is done for you, and the food is pre-portioned and stored in the freezer. They even offer all-natural, single-ingredient treats that dogs love.

What to Look For in Fresh Food

Most fresh food services are offered by subscription and delivered to your door. The best ones work with veterinary nutritionists to formulate a plan customized for your dog. They offer options in recipe choices, portion size, and frequency of delivery. They also provide easy-to-understand information about ingredients, feeding schedules, and how to keep the food fresh.

Raw Diet

Raw dog food can be homemade, store-bought, freeze-dried, or dehydrated. A raw diet usually includes organ meats, muscle meat, whole or ground bone, raw eggs, dog-safe fresh fruits and vegetables, and a dairy product such as yogurt. Advocates of raw food diets site these benefits: shinier coats, healthier skin, improved dental health, increased energy, and smaller stools.

Some veterinarians warn that raw diets are not appropriate for dogs who share their homes with young children or people with compromised immune systems. Meticulous care is required in the handling, preparation, and sanitation of raw food. Dogs with pancreatitis, cancer, or other diseases may require cooked food. Puppies are also better off having cooked food.

The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes the unregulated feeding of raw foods and discourages the feeding to cats and dogs of any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens, because of the risk of illness to cats and dogs, as well as humans.

What to Look for in Raw Food

Find a veterinarian who knows the health of your dog, is familiar with raw foods, and can help guide you in the proper handling and cleaning required to address possible health concerns.

Kibble

Dry food or kibble has ingredients that vary by brand, but all are required to be balanced and meet the nutritional needs of a dog. Under USDA regulation, all animal foods must be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled.

The ingredients in kibble are processed together and cooked. Required ingredients include: protein sources such as beef, poultry, fish, and eggs; grains; cereals; and vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. All dry dog foods need preservatives to prevent the fat from becoming rancid. Some brands are heavy on carbohydrates or have low-quality ingredients and added sugar.

Those who feed their dogs kibble suggest the potential benefits to be: reduced dental plaque, healthier gums, reduced risk of bacteria, easier storage, less risk of spoilage, and cost-effectiveness. On the other hand, some dog owners choose to switch to fresh food like Ollie due to the risks of kibble.

What to Look for in Kibble

Read the label. Look for a food that has a protein as the first ingredient, not a grain. The best kibbles have a single source of protein, such as lamb or chicken. Grain-free diets exist, but carbohydrates are required for energy, and the choice of grain is important since some dogs have sensitivities to wheat, corn, or soybeans.

Help From the Experts

The food we give our dogs makes a huge difference in their health and well-being. So it makes sense to let the experts help us determine what is best.

Ollies veterinary nutritionists use the latest advancements in research to develop the best recipes for your dog recipes that include fresh ingredients to keep your pups brain function healthy, address allergies and gastrointestinal sensitivities, are proportioned for ideal weight, and use Omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation. All that delivered right to your door, for free.

Ollie has received rave reviews from both customers and industry leaders. Ollies customers have reported better weight management, shinier coats, and more. Ollie has received a 5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor and has named one of the best dog food brands by Forbes, and Readers Digest.

Kibble vs. Homemade Dog Food (Which is Better?)

If youve been thinking about what to feed your dog, you might have considered a few brands and types of dog food. From kibble, canned wet food, and raw, there is a lot you can feed your dog. You also have the option of preparing food at home for your dog. But which option is better, kibble or homemade dog food?

Kibble is better than homemade dog food regarding nutritional value, while homemade dog food is more appealing to dogs. When it comes to kibble vs. homemade dog food, the homemade variety wins for fussy eaters, while kibble wins for dogs in general and is less costly.

Both have pros and cons, and you must consider them before choosing one.

In this article, we will get deeper into the discussion of dry dog food vs. homemade food, with the pros and cons of each type of dog food.

One thing to note is that when Im talking about kibble, Im referring to a good-quality brand that is complete and balanced in line with the AAFCO dog nutritional requirements.

I will also briefly cover the types of homemade food that are most nutritious for dogs and what you must look for when selecting kibble for your dog.

Regardless of which type of food you pick, in the end, you will gain useful insights from this post.

Is Homemade Dog Food Better Than Kibble?

Homemade dog food can be as good as kibble or even better for your dog based on its nutritional content and how much he likes it.

Kibble is no good to a dog that doesnt eat it. Similarly, homemade food is not good for a dog if the dogs nutritional needs are not met.

Biologically, the place where the food is made matters very little. What matters are its nutritional value and how fond your dog is of said food. With those metrics in mind, heres how homemade dog food fares against kibble.

Nutrition

Dog food businesses manufacture kibble with research and development departments dedicated to getting the nutritional makeup of dog food just right for specific breeds and life stages of dogs.

In contrast, homemade food can be nutritious but might overshoot in calories or be a subpar source of nutrients. While exceptions exist, kibble is often more nutritious than homemade dog food.

One exception is if you employ the services of a pet nutritionist. The American College of Veterinary Nutrition has a directory of nutritionists, and you can have a remote consultation.

Adoption/Acceptance

Generally, dogs love homemade food more than kibble. Dogs can smell the aroma of homemade food and feel its moisture content, which are significant contributors to the canine food consumption experience.

On the other hand, kibble is dry and often needs toppers and moistening before it is appetizing for dogs. In this matter, homemade food beats kibble.

Again, exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, your dog is more likely to eat homemade food, but a good quality kibble is probably healthier for him.

If your dogs main problem is that he does not like his food, then you might want to introduce homemade food to your dogs diet.

If the issue is related to nutrition, you might want to consult a vet or expert canine nutritionist regarding the contents of the food recipe or introduce him to kibble.

Pros And Cons Of Kibble

Read more: Is Kibble Bad For Dogs? If So, Why?

Pros And Cons Of Homemade Dog Food

So, whats the bottom line?

From a surface-level assessment of the pros and cons of both dry dog food and homemade dog food, it is clear that there are advantages to each type that are disadvantages of the other.

Most dog owners find it surprising that kibble is healthier than homemade dog food. And there is a good reason for this reaction.

Homemade food is healthier for humans because our packaged food is formulated to entice our tastebuds. Dogs dont buy their own food, so kibble makers dont factor taste as highly as the nutritional value of the food.

It might be hard to believe, but many homemade recipes are generally unhealthy for dogs. A study of 200 homemade dog food recipes found that most lacked vital nutrients. In fact, only 10 of the recipes had the correct canine nutrients.

A recent study of home-prepared pet diets found that all 106 diets analyzed had at least one nutrient below the recommendations, potentially exposing dogs to nutritional deficiencies.

Is Homemade Dog Food Healthier Than Kibble?

Homemade food is not healthier than kibble, but some recipes can be more nutritious than a low-quality kibble brand, especially if the meal has been designed and approved by a qualified dog nutritionist.

Sometimes, kibble is healthier than homemade food, but dogs dont like it as much as they like soft food. If your dog rejects kibble, which in most cases is better for him, you have a few options.

• Add a topper to the kibble This is the shortcut to get your dog to eat dry food. You can get your dog hungrily consuming kibble by sprinkling organic treats or appetizing food over the kibble.Check out the ideas in this article, 15 Easy Foods To Mix With Dry Dog Food.
• Mix kibble with canned dog food Since canned dog food and kibble are both made to meet a dogs nutritional requirements, this solution can be healthy and appetizing. You can even mix dog food brands.
• Use canned dog food instead of kibble Wet food is generally more appealing to dogs but can be unappealing to your budget. It is five times more expensive on average.
• Add homemade food to kibble You can mix homemade food with kibble to pack nutrients and flavor in a single serving.
• Add water to the kibble Adding warm water to dry dog food turns it into a yummy gravy, making it more appetizing and altering its palatability.

I like to add a topper to my dogs kibble, such as pieces of meat, chicken, veggies, or Greek yogurt. Additionally, Ill mix some wet food with my dogs dry food.

Mixing Homemade Dog Food With Kibble (A Compromise!)

You can mix homemade dog food with kibble to make kibble more appealing to your dog.

Homemade dog food might not be as nutritious as kibble, but it can improve your dogs appetite. And the kibble content can fulfill your dogs dietary requirements.

You need to be aware of the proportions of the mix and the recipe you use for homemade dog food. Getting these right is crucial for dog food that is healthy and appetizing.

While that requires another post dedicated to mixing kibble with homemade dog food, this article has yet to cover one crucial area: best practices for choosing kibble and making homemade dog food.

Best practices for choosing kibble for your dog:

• Consider the price, but dont make price all you consider The kibble your dog gets used to is the one youll be buying repeatedly. Make sure you consider that. But dont let that be your permission to buy the cheapest box available.
• Check the reviews and ratings If youre shopping on Amazon, look for dry dog food that has over 500 reviews and has at least 4.5 stars on average. This ensures you get food that enough pet owners have vouched for.
• Make your purchase specific to the breed (size) of your dog Dog food can be specific to the dog breed (like German Shepherd dog food) or can be targeted at a breed size (kibble for small dogs). If the package matches your dogs size or breed description, you can get it for your pet.
• Make your purchase specific to the life stage (age) of your dog Puppies should eat puppy food, adult dogs should eat adult dog food, and seniors should have senior food. In some instances, there is young-adult dog food as well. Ensure the kibble you buy matches your dogs age or life stage.
• Try a few types of kibble until you find the right one Dont buy your first choice of kibble in bulk. You dont know how fond your dog might be of it. You must try a few types of dry food before you find one your dog likes.
• Avoid overprocessed kibble with too many preservatives Make sure your kibble isnt packed with too many preservatives and colors. Try to get healthy kibble and choose well-known brands as they have a closer-to-nature formulation.

Best practices for preparing homemade food for your dog

• Use vet-verified recipes Average recipes can be undernourishing or weight-packing for dogs. Vet-verified recipes are much better if your dogs diet is supposed to be 100% homemade.
• Go protein-heavy It is harder to go wrong with protein like chicken or red meat. Make sure to include enough protein in your dogs diet. You can check your dogs nutritional needs here.
• Include some greens A small dose of veggie carbs can help add flavor and vitamins to your dogs diet.
• Bet on moisture Wet food is generally more appetizing to dogs, so cook your dog food to be less dry.
• Avoid scrap-recycling recipes Do not use recipes that recommend recycling scraps from the previous nights dinner. You will not coincidentally get a nutritious meal using a non-specific recipe.
• Store homemade food properly Store the homemade dog food properly as it doesnt have preservatives and can go bad quickly.

Lets Wrap This Up!

In a kibble vs. homemade dog food discussion, kibble emerges as a clear winner in terms of nutrition, while homemade dog food remains the more appetizing option.

You can mix the two to get the best of both worlds, but just be mindful of your recipe choice and kibble alongside the proportions.

And if youre still undecided on choosing kibble or home-cooked dog food, you might want to consider kibble vs. raw dog food.

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