Have you ever been feeding dry pet food to your dog only since you were told that it prevented tarter and dental disease? Do you are feeling guilty whenever you add canned food due to harm that it might cause? Dry food doesn’t prevent dental disease and wet or canned food doesn’t cause dental problems. Each style of pet food has its own advantages and downsides. A mixture of wet and dry combines one of the best of each foods.
The Dog’s Unique Feeding Style
The assumption that dry food prevents dental disease is derived from the idea that chewing causes abrasion on the tooth surfaces to stop or shave off tarter. And that’s true, but dogs don’t chew their food! Anyone who has witnessed or stepped in dog vomit knows that the vomit looks identical to the food, just wetter.
As pack animals, dogs killed and feasted in very competitive groups. Individuals tore flesh from the carcass swallowed after which repeatedly dove back into the frenzy for more. Taking the time to chew would have meant less food and possibly starvation.
This feeding habit has not modified in our modern dogs. Examination of a contemporary dog’s mouth reveals that they share the identical sharp, pointed teeth of their flesh eating ancestors. They grab, perhaps crunch once, swallow and grab again. No abrasive cleansing motion of the teeth takes place during a meal.
Dental Tarter and Food Type
Wild dogs and cats don’t eat any dry food. Studies show that they’ve less dental tarter than pets fed business food, wet or dry. The very fact is that dental disease is more complicated than what style of food is eaten. Dental hygiene is less depending on weight-reduction plan and more depending on routine care. Regular teeth brushing and availability of hard chew toys has a greater impact on dental health than the style of food. Owners could be comforted that they will feed how they need without guilt.
Dry Dog Food
The main advantages of dry food are convenience and price. Open the bag and scoop, no mess. This makes traveling with a dog much easier. It’s also very inexpensive in comparison with wet food. A 50lb dog could be fed for as little as 13 cents a day.
The main drawbacks of dry food are its quality and the reluctance of dogs to eat it after they are ailing.
All ingredients of dry food are put in huge pressure cookers and was a liquid at high temperatures. This implies any type of protein, carbohydrate or fat could be used. That’s the reason this method is ideal for using meat, grain and processed food scraps as well dead, decayed animals relatively than real cuts of meats and whole grains and vegetables.
After the recent slurry reaches the right time and temperature it’s injected through super-heated extruders. Because the liquid leaves the extruders the cold air causes it to “pop” into various shapes depending on the mold of the extruder exit. The dry kibble is then sprayed with oil and vitamins before bagging to replenish a number of the nutrients lost on this double heat process.
Dry kibble won’t “pop” without sufficient carbohydrates. That’s the reason dry pet food tends to be lower in protein and better in carbohydrates than wet or canned food.
Although dogs eat their dry food after they are healthy, they often refuse to eat it after they feel ailing. The refusal to eat can lower their dietary status and skill to heal. This downward spiral often leaves these dogs very fragile after they are finally taken to the vet. Would you eat shredded wheat without milk for those who were sick?
Canned Dog Food
The main advantages of canned food are taste and quality. Only rarely will sick dogs refuse to eat canned food. When wet food is mixed with dry food, dogs eat more heartily. The larger number of flavors of canned foods allows for more diversity within the weight-reduction plan. Canned food is mostly higher in protein than dry food. With canning, ingredients are cooked within the sealed can so nutrients should not lost throughout the heating process.
A significant drawback of wet food is that it’s dearer than dry food. Also many house owners object to the smell of canned food and dislike storing partial cans within the refrigerator. And positively opening a can is more complicated than scooping from a bag.
Why Not Feed Each?
Since food just isn’t a perpetrator in dental disease, why not boost your dog’s weight-reduction plan with a mix of canned and dry food? Using the wet enhances the standard, flavor and enthusiasm for mealtime. Adding the dry reduces food costs. Everybody wins. Having wet food available might help maintain your dog’s appetite during illness.
