special dog food ingredients

Our Products

We are always on the hunt for new and better food to give Amber and her siblings. We think its a trial and error process. Some premium brands who claim to be the best in the market (and top bills the pricing as well) wont work for us.

After trying raw feeding (which also didnt really work for Amber), our vet introduced Monge Special Dog to us. Our dogs, including Amber, are not very picky with food but gets sawa after a few months. Surprisingly, its been almost 2 years now and we still havent changed their diet. We give them veggies/home cooked meal sometimes but Monge Special Dog is still their favorite.

We did a little bit of research and found out that Monge is actually the leading pet food manufacturer in Italy thats added confidence that were giving the right food to our pets since Europe has higher standards for the pet food industry.

Pros:Hypo-allergenic and Low Cholesterol FormulaHas Omega 3 and Omega 6Reduces stool odor (most of the time their poop is really not mabaho!)Their canned food has many different flavorsNot very pricey abot kaya!No artificial colouring!

Cons:When we open the can, we have to feed everything. I dont like storing it sa fridge as I dont like the smell of it after a day or 2It doesnt help with Ambers tear stains (Our other dogs wala naman tear stains)The kibbles are very small for Ambers big mouth

Why we recommend it:It works very well with all of our dogs for 2 years now. Amber and her siblings are very well and fit no internal issues or anything food-related!

**Please note that this is an individual review. The views and opinions expressed in this post are presented in good faith and strictly our own. As human beings, our thoughts may change from time to time. This review is only designed to help you when buying dog food. Please be also advised that the owners of this page are not veterinarians but pet parents who only want whats best for their pets.

Special Dog Adult 9kg

Essential Dog Food Ingredients for Healthy Dogs

Paid Advertisement

You are what you eat. We understand that to be fit and healthy, we need to eat quality food. The same rule goes for our dogs.

Although they may be less discriminating than we are in their choice of what they gobble up, its a dog owners responsibility to make sure our dogs get a nutritionally balanced diet tailored to meet their needs. Using appropriate feeding practices is one of the most important components of maintaining companion animal health, reports theMerck Veterinary Manual.

Requirements of a Healthy Diet

Research has proven, and your veterinarian will tell you, that ahealthy, well-balanced diet for your dogmust include whole-food ingredients that provide the following: protein, fats and fatty acids, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and water.

Whole Food Ingredients

Whole-food ingredients are minimally processed so they deliver the nutrients, vitamins, and fiber that pack the most value. The best diet for your dog is composed of whole-food ingredients including fresh and raw meats, fruits, and vegetables as opposed to powdered or synthetic ingredients.

ACANA Wholesome Grains pet food is made with a variety of whole foods including the first two ingredients from quality animal sources, with inclusions of whole animal organs and fresh fruits and vegetables to make it nourishing and delicious. ACANA pet food recipes use savory meats, poultry and wild-caught or responsibly farm-raised fish naturally high in protein and healthy fats and select fruits and vegetables that add natural soluble and insoluble fiber and nutrients. ACANA pet foods never adds artificial flavors, colors or preservatives in their kitchens.

Whole-Grains

For those who choose grain inclusive over grain-free foods, ACANA pet foods integrates nutrient-rich oats, sorghum and millet with protein-rich animal ingredients that are thoughtfully balanced with nutritious fruits and vegetables into their dog and cat food recipes. There are no gluten, potato, or legume ingredients.

The Clinical Nutrition Service at Tufts Universitys Cummings Veterinary Medicine School conducted extensiveresearch on the impact of grainsin a dogs diet. They concluded that Whole grains, rather than being fillers, contribute valuable nutrients including vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and fiber to diets while helping to keep the fat and calories lower than if animal products were used in their place.

Studies have shown that there are nutrients present in grains that are essential for a complete and balanced diet, says Dr. Klein. And the fiber that grains contribute to the diet helps keep the dogs gastrointestinal system functioning and healthy.

ACANA Wholesome Grains includes:

• 60-70 percent protein-rich animal ingredients (approximate and derived from the unprocessed state of the ingredients) to help support muscle maintenance.
• Whole fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin, pears, and butternut squash to help support digestive health.
• Nutrient-rich grains including oats, sorghum, and millet that promote a healthy digestive environment.
• Vitamins that help to support heart function with a blend of B and E vitamins, taurine, and choline.

Safety Requirements for Quality Food

Making sure your dogs food has the necessary ingredients is important, but you also need to find out where those ingredients were sourced, how they were prepared and stored, and whether the final product was checked for safety.

ACANA pet foods start with premium ingredients sourced from a curated group of farmers, ranchers, and fishers theyve known and trusted since they began making pet food in 1985.

A team of animal food scientists and nutritionists with degrees in veterinary medicine, animal nutrition, food science, meat hygiene, food microbiology, and biochemistry develop and test ACANA pet foods recipes. They conduct research, test, and collaborate with international nutrition experts, and look for ways to innovate.

ACANA pet food puts a high priority on safety, quality, and transparency and uses a track-and-trace process in its world-class kitchens in Kentucky, USA and Alberta, Canada. They record and track every step of their process from the time ingredients leave suppliers.

One Size Does Not Fit All

TheAmerican College of Veterinary Nutritionadvises that your dogsunique nutritional requirementswill depend on age, size, health, and breed.

Veterinarians recommend that you consider your dogs stage of life when choosing his diet, says Dr. Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer at the American Kennel Club. A puppy has different nutritional needs than an adolescent, a pregnant or lactating female, or a senior dog.

Whether youre looking for a food suitable for your puppy or your small-breed dog, a limited diet recipe for dogs with food sensitivities, or a high-quality nutritious and tasty diet that contains meat, poultry, or fish you now have seven ACANA Wholesome Grains foods to choose from.

ACANAs new Wholesome Grains Puppy recipe includes protein, fat, and Omega-3s to help support your puppys growth and development. Wholesome Grains Small Breed recipe is specially crafted for tiny pals, with smaller kibble size for small mouths, and with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to promote a shiny coat and brain health.

How to Store Your Dog Food

Once you find the right food for your dog, you want to keep it fresh and safe. The Food and Drug Administration offersthese suggestions:

• Store dry pet food in its original bagwith the top tightly folded down.
• If you want to store dry pet food in another storage container, put the entire bag into the container.
• Keeppet food in a secure location where your pet cant get to it.
• Store dry food in a cool and dry place at a temperature less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Wash pet food bowls and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use.
• Throw out old or spoiled pet food by placing it in a securely tied plastic bag in a covered trash can.

Monge Special Dog Lamb & Rice 9kg Puppy Dry Food

Ingredients:

Cereals (Rice) , Lamb meal & meat by-products, dried beef pulp (by-product of vegetable origin), oils and fats, vegetable protein extracts. Fish (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), F.O.S. (Fructo-oligosaccharides (500mg/kg), Yucca Schidigera 0,1%, minerals.

Nutritional Additives:

Vitamin A 12,000 IU/kg, Vitamin D3 1, 150 IU/kg, Choline Chloride 1,200mg/kg, Votamin 3 115 mg/kg, Iron (Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate 366 mg/kg): 135 mg/kg, Zinc (Zinc Oxide 46mg/kg): 37mg/kg, Copper (Cupric Sulphate Pentahydrate 79mg/kg): 20mg/kg, Manganese (Manganous Oxide 19mg/kg): 15mg/kg, Iodine (Calcium Iodate, Anhydrous 0.80 mg/kg): 0.5mg/kg, Selenium (Sodium Selenite 0.22mg/kg): 0.10mg/kg; Antioxidants.

Analytical Constituents:

Protein 29.0% (min.) ; raw oils and fats 14.0% (min.); raw ashes 8.50% (max.); raw fibre 3.0% (max.), Calcium 1.50%, Phosphorous 1.1%.

This product has recently undergone apackagingchange. Customers may receive oldpackagingduring this transition.

Special Dog Puppy 9kg

Special Dog

100% complete nutrition

Helps reduce stool odor

With calcium & phosphorus

Enriched with omega 3 & 6

Hypo-allergenic, high palatibilty, highly digestible

Ingredients: Cereals (Rice) , Lamb meal & meat by-products, dried beef pulp (by-product of vegetable origin), oils and fats, vegetable protein extracts. Fish (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), F.O.S. (Fructo-oligosaccharides (500mg/kg), Yucca Schidigera 0,1%, minerals.

Nutritional Additives: Vitamin A 12,000 IU/kg, Vitamin D3 1, 150 IU/kg, Choline Chloride 1,200mg/kg, Votamin 3 115 mg/kg, Iron (Ferrous Sulphate Monohydrate 366 mg/kg): 135 mg/kg, Zinc (Zinc Oxide 46mg/kg): 37mg/kg, Copper (Cupric Sulphate Pentahydrate 79mg/kg): 20mg/kg, Manganese (Manganous Oxide 19mg/kg): 15mg/kg, Iodine (Calcium Iodate, Anhydrous 0.80 mg/kg): 0.5mg/kg, Selenium (Sodium Selenite 0.22mg/kg): 0.10mg/kg; Antioxidants. Analytical Constituents: Protein 29.0% (min.) ; raw oils and fats 14.0% (min.); raw ashes 8.50% (max.); raw fibre 3.0% (max.), Calcium 1.50%, Phosphorous 1.1%.

How to Choose the Best Dog Food

In an ideal world, all dog food would be created equal. Instead, dog owners are presented with an overwhelming array of options, all claiming to be the best dog food on the market. Wading through these choices to find a dog food brand that is healthy, affordable, and appealing to your pet is often frustrating. Weve compiled expert advice to help you narrow down your options.

What Makes a Dog Food Good?

Most people feed their dogs dry kibble or canned wet food. These processed foods might not be appealing to us, but they contain all of the nutrients dogs need to stay healthy. Quality commercial dog foods are highly regulated and have undergone rigorous testing by veterinary specialists. So what exactly is in these dog foods?

Dogs, unlike cats, are not strict carnivores. While meat makes up the majority of their diet, domestic dogs can also derive nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. These non-meat foods are not simply fillers, but can be a valuable source of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A good dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits. The best dog foods contain high-quality versions of these ingredients that are appropriate for your dogs digestive system.

Dog Food Nutrition

The best dog food for your canine companion should meet his nutritional needs. While most commercial dog food brands are specially formulated with at least the minimum nutritional requirements for dogs, it is important to remember that not every dog has exactly the same nutritional needs.

Dogs require a wide range of nutrients in different quantities over the course of their lives. The nutritional needs of a puppy are different from an adult dog, which is why it is a good idea to feed a puppy formula or an all life stages food to your young dog. If you are unsure about the differences in nutritional requirements between puppies and adults, the Merck Veterinary Manual lists the recommended nutrients for dogs, along with the recommended amount by weight and age. Large breed dogs and puppies have different nutritional requirements than small breed dogs and puppies.

Dog Food Myths and Misinformation

There are plenty of dog food myths and misinformation about dog nutrition on the Internet. You can sort through it by following one simple rule: check your sources. Many well-meaning individuals make claims about dog nutrition without backing them up with scientific evidence. As you do research, always check to see if the information is supported by a credible source, like a veterinarian, canine nutritionist, or scientific study. It never hurts to be skeptical, either. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Many people have questions about grain-inclusive orgrain-free dog food, pea-free dog food, or dog foods containing animal byproducts. If your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy caused by grains, you may choose a grain-free diet under the guidance of your veterinarian. For most dogs, grains are actually a source of wholesome nutrients. Quality animal byproducts are also nutritious. These include organ meats and entrails, which often contain more nutrients than the muscle meat consumed by humans. Regulated byproducts do not include hooves, hair, floor sweepings, intestinal contents, or manure. As with any pet-related inquiry, feel free to discuss your concerns about your dogs food with your veterinarian.

How to Read a Dog Food Label

One way to decipher a good dog food from a bad dog food is to read the label. This is easier said than done, as labels can be hard to read, both due to the small print and just plain awkwardness of handling big bags of dog food in the store! But labels can also be misleading, as the Merck Veterinary Manual explains. Dog food labels are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to tell you eight key pieces of information, and individual states may also have their own labeling requirements:

• Product name
• Net weight of the product
• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Guaranteed analysis
• List of ingredients
• Intended animal species (i.e. dog or cat)
• Statement of nutritional adequacy
• Feeding guidelines

Product Name

The product name alone tells you a lot about whats inside the can or bag. The term beef means that beef must make up at least 70 percent of the entire product. The terms beef dinner, beef entre, or beef platter, on the other hand, only require that beef makes up at least 10 percent of the entire product. With beef only requires that 3 percent of the total product be beef, and beef flavor simply implies that there is enough beef in the product to flavor it (less than 3 percent). The same holds true for other named ingredients like chicken.

Ingredients

The ingredient list on a dog food label will not tell you the quality of the ingredients or where they came from, and some manufacturers split up the ingredients to make the distribution more equal. For instance, different types of corn, such as flaked corn, ground corn, or kibbled corn, can be listed separately. This bumps corn down on the list of ingredients, even though the actual content of corn in the food is high. Meat is another tricky ingredient. Whole meats contain a large percentage of water weight, which means that the overall percentage of meat after processing is lower than it appears. Meat meal, on the other hand, sounds less appealing to people, but actually contains more meat than whole meats, as there is no water weight to throw off the calculation.

While the ingredient list might not tell you the quality of the ingredients, it does tell you what is in the food. This is especially important for dogs with special dietary needs or allergies and is also useful for owners who wish to feed their dogs specific sources of fiber, protein, and carbohydrates.

Complete and Balanced Dog Foods

One of the first things you should look for on a dog food label is the statement (Name of product) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles. This isnt just an advertising slogan. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has strict requirements to make sure that a product is in fact complete and balanced for dogs (or cats). Complete and balanced diets must contain the minimum amount of all of the nutrients necessary for dogs, which is also indicated in the guaranteed analysis. This analysis gives the minimum amount of crude protein and fat, along with the maximum amounts of water and crude fiber. The analysis does not, however, give the exact amount of these components, which means there is room for considerable variation. The manufacturers average nutrient profile is often a better tool for evaluating a product.

You can always contact the dog food company directly to get more information about its product. A reputable company that has your dogs interests at heart should be happy to answer your questions and in many cases will give you more information than what is available on the website or product label. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has a helpful sheet with questions you can ask a company representative.

Best Dog Food for Small and Large Breeds

Small breed dogs and large breed dogs have different nutritional needs. Large breed dogs are more prone to musculoskeletal problems than smaller breeds, and so they often require large-breed dog food with different balances of certain nutrients to promote musculoskeletal health, especially as puppies. Small breed dogs, on the other hand, can choke on large-sized kibble and have their own nutritional requirements that can be accommodated with a small-breed dog food. Research your dogs breed to find out if there are any additional nutritional requirements you should be aware of.

Best Dog Food for Puppies

The nutritional needs of dogs vary throughout their life. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and senior dogs have their own nutritional considerations. Most dog food companies carry specially formulated puppy foods for each stage of a dogs life, making it easier to narrow down your choices. If you are concerned about which is the best dog food for your dogs life stage, consult your veterinarian to see what stage food is appropriate for your dog.

Your puppy requires a different nutrient balance than an adult dog. This is especially true for large breeds. Feeding a large breed puppy food can help, as their growth needs to be monitored carefully to prevent bone and joint problems. Other puppies do well on both puppy food and food labeled for all life stages. The best food for your puppy depends on your puppys size and breed. Always consult your veterinarian for recommendations on puppy feeding, and advice on how to switch puppies to adult dog food.

Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs

Senior dogs, usually considered 7+, vary in their individual nutritional needs. Younger senior dogs may struggle with being overweight and older senior dogs may struggle with being underweight, which is why there is such a variety.

Choosing the best senior dog food may come down to what your dog finds palatable. Many older dogs prefer wet food while others may need their food warmed up to enhance the aromas. Ultimately, your vet can help choose the best dog food for an older pet.

Best Food for Dogs With Special Dietary Needs

Allergies, sensitive stomachs, and dietary restrictions affect dogs, as well as people. Feeding dogs with special dietary needs can be tricky. Your best course of action is to consult your veterinarian for advice about the dog food that best helps with their condition.

Best Dry Dog Food

The most widely available and affordable dog food is dry dog food. Dry dog food does not require refrigeration, which is its main advantage over wet dog food, as it contains approximately 90 percent dry matter and 10 percent water. This makes it easy to store. Dry dog food is made by combining and cooking ingredients like meat and grains. This process converts the starches in the food into an easily digested form, while also destroying toxins and flash sterilizing the ingredients. There are many different varieties of dry dog food on the shelves. The best dry food for your dog depends on your dogs dietary needs. In general, a higher quality dry dog food that contains the appropriate ingredients for your dogs life stage and breed is the best choice, but talk to your vet or veterinary nutritionist about the healthiest choice for your pet.

Best Wet Dog Food

Wet dog food, or canned dog food, is a perfectly viable alternative to dry dog food. While generally slightly more expensive, wet dog food is more palatable than dry food and can help stimulate the appetite of picky eaters. Wet dog food contains many of the same ingredients as dry dog food, but not in the same quantities. Wet food contains higher amounts of fresh meat, poultry, fish, and animal byproducts, along with more textured proteins derived from grains. Canned dog food has a long shelf life, however it must be refrigerated once opened. The best wet food for your dog, just as with dry dog food, depends on your dogs life stage, breed, and any special dietary needs or allergies. Talk to your vet about the wet dog food that he recommends for your pet.

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

Dog obesity is a growing concern in the veterinary community and has been linked to many health problems in dogs. Luckily for our pets, we are usually more disciplined about controlling their diets than we are about controlling our own. Knowing how much to feed your dog and what healthy dog weight looks like can be tricky. Many owners accidentally overfeed their pets, which is why it is important to take your dog in for regular checkups and to talk with your vet about appropriate portions. The guidelines on the back of the bag are just that guidelines. Some dogs may require more than the recommended amount, whereas others require much less. Activity level, time of year, nursing, illness, and more factors can all impact how much a dog needs to eat. Dog people will often advise that you should feed the dog thats in front of you instead of strictly adhering to dog food serving size guidelines that may or may not be exactly what your dog needs.

Choosing the Best Dog Food

The best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.

Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. They know more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dogs food.