Overview of the best dog foods in Nigeria
     It may surprise you, but dogs and humans aren’t so different when it comes to nutrition. Like humans, dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat meat and plant foods but the best dog foods in Nigeria are dog foods with much higher percentage of animal protein than carbohydrate.
Also like humans, they have specific nutritional needs. But this doesn’t mean you can always feed your dog the same food you eat yourself. There are some things humans can eat that you should never feed your dog, such as grapes, onions, chocolate, coffee and nuts.
When it comes to preserving your dog’s health, the best thing you can do for him is to provide him with a high quality dog food. If you pay a visit to your local pet store, however, you will find that there are dozens of different dog food brands and formulas to choose from. It becomes a job on its own getting to know which brands are high-quality and which are not. Picking out the right food for your dog also means picking out the right ingredients. As a responsible pet friend, one of the best things you can do for him is serve healthy, well-balanced food. Good dog food has the right nutrition your dog really needs, depending on his age, breed, and activity level.
Most of the popular dog’s food here in Nigeria are imported dog food, both dry dog food and wet or can dog food. Many pet dogs in Nigeria are used to many of these foreign brands. It can confirm that many of them serve their purpose and have provided relatively enough nutrition needed by our dogs right here in Nigeria. These dog foods comes in different brands and varieties and as you must have observed, will have similar ingredients.
How to Spot The Best Dog foods in Nigeria
Look for Nutrients
In general, the six types of nutrients every dog food should contain are proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. A dog food that includes quality ingredients and balances the nutrients within those ingredients will put your dog in a position to properly absorb them.
* Protein helps to reinforce your dog’s muscles, bones, and skin so they can support the rest of the body. It can be found in ingredients like chicken, salmon, soybean meal, barley, corn or eggs.
* Carbohydrates provide your dog energy throughout the day. Carbs can be found in barley, corn, rice, and sorghum.
* Fats are also needed for energy and healthy skin. They can be found in fish and vegetable oils.
* Fiber is crucial to keep your dog’s digestive system operating properly, which is a benefit you both share. Fiber can be found in beet pulp, soybean mill run and cellulose.
* Vitamins your dog needs are included in many of the above ingredients listed above, as well. Eggs are a good source of Vitamins A and E, whereas brown rice is full of potassium; and liver and beef contain iron. When your dog gets the vitamins he needs, his heart, liver, and immune system will work efficiently, helping him to lead a healthier life.
* Minerals are also essential for well-balanced nutrition, and similar to vitamins, may be found in the above ingredients. Minerals like magnesium help support strong bones and teeth, while the right amount of sodium promotes a healthy heart.
Nutritional Adequacy
Consumers should specifically look at the product’s Nutritional Adequacy Statement, which “indicates the food is complete and balanced for a particular life stage, such as growth, reproduction, adult maintenance or a combination of these, or intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.
Check for Artificial Fillers
In addition to checking the ingredients list for harmful ingredients you should also be on the lookout for artificial fillers. Fillers include fibrous ingredients that are added to the food to increase its bulk without adding much nutritional value – commercial pet food manufacturers use fillers to reduce their costs in producing the food. Some examples of fillers you might find in low-quality dog foods include rice bran, corn bran, hulls, and wheat mill run.
These are the recommended best dog foods in Nigeria
Dog foods are available in many different shapes, sizes, and textures. Food technology has become very sophisticated and allows your dog to enjoy a huge variety during meal times. However, it can sometimes be confusing when deciding whether to feed wet, dry or both to our beloved furry friends.
Dry Food
Dry food looks like a biscuit or kibble and comes in bags of varying sizes. It does contain water, usually up to about 11%, which is added into the mix of ingredients to make a dough, rather like bread-making. If you look at the ingredients list on a packet of dry food, many of the names will be similar to those found on a wet or canned food, but with a few differences. Most dry food has more carbohydrate in it and this will usually be provided by cereals such as wheat, corn (or maize) or barley.
The other major difference you will see with dry food is the addition of preservatives or antioxidants. Because a bag of food is typically opened and used for much longer than a can of wet food, the fats in the diet are exposed to the air for much longer and may go rancid, affecting the quality and taste of the food.
Some examples of complete premium dry dog foods include;
Burgess Supadog Food
All Burgess Dog Food is a complete food. This means, whatever variety you choose for your dog, it will contain all the nutrients they need in the correct balance.
* Supporting skin & coat health
* Added calcium for healthy teeth & bones
” Specially formulated for all breeds
Binggo dog food is a premium dog food brand that is 100% Nigerian. It is a dry dog food that is fresh, well packaged; highly affordable and well balanced in terms of Nutrition.
* Rich in protein
* Contains no chemical preservatives
* No Soy
* No coloring agents or die.
Diamond dry dog foods are made with ingredients of exceptional quality and formulated to help your pet stay active and feel great. Every Diamond formula contains carefully determined levels of protein, fat and other essential nutrients to support ideal body condition
* Formulated for moderately active dogs and sporting dogs during off-season
* Supplies consistent levels of vitamins, minerals and energy
* Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and shiny coat
Royal canin dry dog foods
* Calories are carefully balanced to keep your dog at their ideal weight
* Unique kibble shape and recipe helps your dog to eat more slowly
* Fatty acids support healthy skin, coat, bones and joints
* Full of healthy nutrients that boost your dog’s natural skin barrier.
Booster sport dry dog food
Wet Dog Food
These contain between 70 and 85% water, mixed in with the ‘dry’ ingredients. This means that the product, whether in a can, a pouch or tray, will weigh much more than the equivalent dry food. Wet food often contains higher amounts of protein and fat than dry food and this is why it is often perceived as tastier by the pet. Ingredients such as meat, meat meal or animals derivatives will appear higher on the label. These protein and fat sources are providing energy and components for the metabolism, as well as building blocks for muscles, skin, and hair.
Best wet foods include;
Dekra can dog food is a quality dog food for all life stages with nafdac approval and at affordable prices
* 100% Meaty
* 100% Fresh
* 100% durable
JO-JO puppy food is made with carefully selected ingredients to promote strong teeth and bones and to help develop a strong immune systemJo-jo premium 400g with omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids.
* High Quality
* Durable
* Affordable jojo premium dog food chunk in gravy with chicken. Jo-Jo premium puppy canned dog food can credibly be considered as one of the best canned dog foods sold in store in Nigeria.
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