Being a pet parent comes with its fair share of responsibilities, including feeding them a nutritious diet. From managing weight to building robust immune systems, there are numerous health benefits to giving your dog the right food, according to experts (balanced, of course, around their favorite dog treats).
“Commercially processed canned or kibble foods are formulated to meet dogs’ nutritional needs for proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals — they’re convenient, consistent and readily available, and they undergo a process of quality control and inspection that is meant to catch any contaminants or pathogens before they affect pets or people,” says Dr. Lori Teller, a board-certified veterinarian and immediate past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
I have written about all things dogs — and specifically dog food — for over three years. To help you search, I consulted veterinarians and animal nutrition experts on what to consider when shopping for the best dog food. Below, I compiled expert-recommended dog food brands to consider and options NBC Select staffers feed their own pets.
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How I picked the best dog food
When choosing the right food for your dog, my experts recommend considering the following factors:
- AAFCO nutrition standards: Ensure the dog food meets AAFCO nutrition standards, which you…