With so many different food choices available, selecting the best one for your dog can be a daunting task. Kibble has been the age-old go-to meal, but as more enquiries are made into the content and nutrition, fresh alternatives have surged in popularity.
This article will explain what distinguishes fresh dog food from kibble and how that difference impacts your dog’s daily meals.
Processing Methods And Nutrient Retention
How food is prepared has a direct impact on the amount of nutrients it contains. The majority of the time, fresh dog food is prepared in a manner that is either lightly cooked or nutritious.
Kibble is made using a high-heat process that removes water from the product, making it dry. There is a possibility that the high-heat procedure will destroy some of the vitamins and enzymes that are present in the diet; however, many companies will later supplement it.
Moisture Content And Digestion
An additional significant distinction is the amount of moisture present. A high moisture content in food is beneficial to the digestion and hydration of dogs, and wet food is more moist than dry food.
Kibble, on the other hand, is dry by its very nature. This indicates that dogs need to consume a substantial amount of water in order to mitigate the risk of dehydration and other complications.
Impact On Coat, Energy, And Digestion
While some owners notice the change in their pets’ coats, energy, and digestion, some do not. However, it is generally agreed that the higher the food quality, the better the appearance and the overall functioning of an organism. This factor, too, contributes to the current increase in popularity of fresh dog food.
Ingredient Transparency And Labelling
Many fresh dog food brands exceed expectations by precisely listing the ingredients in each meal. The easy and understandable approach to labelling is essential in helping the owners know what is being fed to the dogs.
On the other hand, kibble labels are not so clear in the broader category of ingredients, which may make it challenging to maintain a singular focus on quality.
Portion Control And Meal Planning
Portions based on the dog’s size, age, and activity level make fresh food more precise. This serving approach cuts down on variability. In contrast, kibble’s feeding instructions are more general. Though fresh food’s serving may change based on the dog, using fresher food could give dog owners better guidance on how to proportion food accurately.
Palatability And Mealtime Experience
Fresh food typically has a pungent natural smell and taste, which appeals to the dogs. On the other hand, kibble’s scent and taste are similar. Kibble is created to look and store efficiently, not to appeal to the dog’s feelings. Although many dogs eat kibble without issue, the animal grows tired and is not eager to eat.
Storage And Convenience Considerations
Fresh dog food needs to be stored in a refrigerator or a freezer, which influences storage and meal preparation in other ways. It is an additional step required by fresh food’s nature in terms of maintaining quality and taste.
Kibble is easy to store and carry, which makes it easy even for a busy dog owner. The issue in this case is the trade-off between convenience of use and product quality.
Understanding What Suits Your Dog Best
To sum up, fresh dog food and kibble are designed for different needs, and the one-size-fits-all approach does not apply to either of them. The most prominent differences are ingredients, processing, moisture, and transparency, but many more nuances can influence your choice and how it influences your dog’s life.