Picture taken from www.animaltalk.us
From the desk of Sharda Baker.
8/12/2014
Hi and welcome everyone!
This is Sharda with another Bichon Frise newsletter.
Today we will talk about the right Bichon Frise dog food!
Choosing the best type of dog food can really be a great challenge for us dog owners.
As you may already know there are 2 types of dog foods. These are the dry type of dog food and the wet type of dog food.
So, to help you eliminate the competition let’s take a look and differentiate Dry and wet dog food to help you decide which type of dog food is better for your Bichon Frise.
WET VERSUS DRY
Your Bichon Frise dog’s nutrition is extremely important, so whether you choose to feed your pet dry or wet food, always be sure it is premium dog food and not a generic brand.
Some people believe homemade dog food is better for their Bichon Frise while others feed their pet dry, wet, or semi-moist commercially manufactured premium dog food.
Cheaper brands of dog food often contain more grain fillers, animal by-products, and less meat than premium brands, while some of the more expensive dog foods may include ingredients such as free-range meats or organic products.
They categorize commercial dog food as canned (or wet), semi-moist, or dry, depending upon the moisture content of the food.
DRY FOODS
A premium dry dog food for your Bichon Frise is the type of food most often recommended by veterinarians.
When you compare the average dry dog food per pound to semi-moist or canned dog food, it is the least expensive of the three.
Canned food contains up to seventy-eight percent moisture while dry food is usually less than ten percent moisture. In terms of dental health, dry food is better for your Bichon Frise because it aids in reducing or even preventing tartar buildup.
This helps keep your dogs’ gums and teeth healthy longer. Unlike canned food containers, the packaging on dry food is environmentally friendly. A bowl of dry dog food remains fresh far longer than a bowl of canned dog food, which spoils quickly, especially in warm environments.
Kibble made using the extrusion process, where it is sprayed with oils, fats, vitamins, and other products, does become rancid from high heat whereas baked kibble does not spoil as quickly and has a longer shelf life.
Some Bichon Frise owners prefer dry food because it is not as messy to serve or clean up as canned food and does not have its strong aroma.
Dry food does need to be stored properly to keep it from going stale.
CANNED FOOD
Some Bichon Frise owners prefer canned or wet dog food even though it costs more than dry food although vets or breeders do not generally recommend it.
The dog food cans on the market make it very convenient for feeding your pet both at home and while traveling.
Wet food often appeals to a Bichon Frise owner’s puppy or dog because of the moisture and aromatic smell. For senior dogs, wet or semi-moist food is easier on their gums and teeth.
You should never leave wet dog food down for more than thirty minutes for your Bichon Frise, as bacteria growth could occur in the food leading to health and digestive problems.
In terms of actual content, canned food contains more water so is often lower in fat and protein but may be more palatable to dogs that are recovering from an illness or surgery.
SEMI-MOIST FOOD
Many Bichon Frise owners like the convenience of semi-moist food in pouches.
Semi-moist food has, environmentally friendly packaging, comes in measured meal packs, remains fresh in the packs longer, and nutritionally balanced.
The down side is that semi-moist food often contains preservatives, colouring agents, and additives.
Typically, most breeders and vets do not recommend semi-moist foods as a long-term feeding option although it may be very practical when traveling or if a dog is temporarily requiring a specialized diet.
That’s all for this newsletter.
I hope that I helped you narrow your choice when it comes to dog food. : )
All the best and take care
Warmly,
Sharda Baker