We all want our fur babies to live long, healthy, happy lives – but sometimes it isn’t obvious what the best decision for them is. When selecting a food for your pup, there are a number of things to consider to ensure that your sweet companion is getting robust nutrition, the right formula for their needs, and, of course, something they’ll actually eat. That can feel like a lot to consider, especially if you get caught up scouring ingredient lists and comparing claims made on the dog food bag.

But try not to get overwhelmed – here are a few key things to keep in mind that will hopefully make feeding your pet a lighter lift:

Whole Grains

American Kennel Club (AKC) released this article, not only recommending keeping whole grain in dog foods, but stating that “‘Studies have shown that there are nutrients present in grains that are essential for a complete and balanced diet,’” and citing The Clinical Nutrition Service at Tufts University’s Cummings Veterinary Medicine School. So we make sure to opt for feeding our pets recipes with whole grains, avoiding “grain-free” claims, even if they are marketed to sound good. We want to make sure our pups get everything they need!

Avoid “Grain-Free” Diets, Especially Peas, Sweet Potatoes, and Lentils

Additionally, Tufts University shared in this research update explaining that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released information on a potential connection between diet and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) – which is a heart disease that can lead to death. They identified specifically a possible connection with grain-free diets, often including ingredients like peas, sweet potatoes, and lentils. While, like any research, it might not be 100% proven, the correlation between grain-free diets and this serious heart condition lead us to lean away from this kind of diet and stick with one including whole grains which, as mentioned above, is recommended by AKC anyway!

Helpful Guidelines

Something else to look for when selecting what to feed your four-legged friend are brands that adhere to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines – which take into account pet life stage, species, and condition – as well as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines, which focus on having qualified individuals (e.g., a nutritionist with a PhD in Animal Nutrition or Board Certification by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition) on staff and formulating the food.

What We Feed Our Dogs

At Cozy Cove, we personally give our dogs TLC Pet Food for all of the reasons listed above, as well as the fact that it provides multiple protein sources (lamb, chicken, and salmon), which we theorize may help our dogs avoid an allergy to a specific meat, but any food that includes whole grains, avoids ingredients potentially tied to diet-related DCM, and that meets the AAFCO and WSAVA guidelines should be a solid choice for your fur baby, provided you are following the feeding instructions. 

We hope this helps you feel empowered in selecting the right food for your puppy or adult dog! If you have any further questions about pup-related things, or want to get in line for an upcoming litter of beautiful multi-gen mini English goldendoodles, reach out to us today!