As a dog lover, you want to provide your pet with the best diet possible to keep them healthy and thriving. With so many different types of dog foods on the market, though, it can be difficult to determine the differences between available foods and what each type has to offer your dog nutritionally.
Kibble is simply another term used to describe dry dog food, and it consists of solid pieces that are packed with all the nutrients that your dog needs.
This article will tell you everything that you need to know about kibble and why it is such a popular choice of food for dogs among owners.
How Is It Made?
How Is It Made?Kibble dog food is popular in Europe, Canada, the United States, and most parts of the developed world. Some people also refer to this type of dog food as pellets, but both terms are used to describe the same thing. Kibble is made of meat, legumes, grains, vegetables, and fruits, along with vitamins and minerals. Everything is cooked and compacted together to form a uniform dry dog food that is typically a small, rounded shape.
The process of making kibble is called “extrusion,” as all the ingredients are mixed. Kibble dog food can be fed to all breeds that can handle chewing the hard texture of this type of dog food, and the kibble itself is available in different sizes, so you can pick one that suits the type of breed you have.
What Are the Different Types of Dog Foods?
Dry Dog Food
Dry dog food (pellets or kibble) is a dehydrated food that provides dogs with a uniform diet because it has all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients they need to stay healthy. This type of dog food is typically inexpensive and has a low moisture content of around 3%–11%. You will find that dry dog food is the most easily accessible dog food on the market, and there are many different options to choose from when it comes to the brand, flavor, color, shape, and size of the food.
Wet Dog Food
Wet or canned dog food is typically packaged in a solid tin container and has a high moisture content of 60%–78% water. Wet dog food is generally more expensive than dry dog food and is not sold in large volumes, as it has a short shelf-life once opened. It does not consist of solid compact pieces, but rather moist chunks of the food components that are soaked in moisture to keep the food from drying out.
This type of dog food usually must be refrigerated once it has been opened, whereas dry dog food can be stored for a long time in an airtight container in a dry area. Wet dog food comes in a variety of flavors and can range in color and texture.
Where Is It Used?
Kibble dog food is primarily used as a dog food because it is affordable and easily accessible and has an endless range of options to choose from. Most dog owners choose to feed this type of food to their dogs because it is the easiest option to store and purchase in bulk.
Kibble also has the benefit of being hard, so your dog must chew the pellets thoroughly, which can help remove tartar and plaque on their teeth, thus improving their dental hygiene. Many different types of kibble dog food are suitable for certain conditions that your dog might be suffering from, such as gluten or grain intolerance, and there is kibble out there that is specifically formulated without these ingredients.
Some dog owners find that kibble helps stop their dogs from being picky eaters because all the nutrients are uniformly packed into each piece, which helps prevent picky eating habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dry Dog Food Better Than Wet Dog Food?
Both wet and dry dog foods can be good for your dog, depending on the quality, the guaranteed nutrient analysis, and whether your dog is suffering from any health conditions that require them to be fed a special diet. If you want to feed your dog a food with a lower moisture content that is high in carbohydrates and affordable, kibble dog food will be a good option.
If you want to feed your dog a food that has higher moisture content and more flavor, wet food will be a good choice. You should always consult a veterinarian or canine nutritionist when deciding on the right dog food for your dog’s breed and medical conditions, as both wet and dry dog food have their pros and cons.
What Should You Look For When Choosing the Right Kibble for Your Dog?
It is important to choose the kibble according to your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior) along with their medical conditions. When it comes to finding the right kibble food for your dog, you should choose a brand that produces high-quality kibble that has a decent nutritional content to supply your dog with the proper nutrients, proteins, and calories according to their age, weight, and breed.
There are plenty of kibble dog foods to choose from, so take the time to consider the pros and cons of the different brands and formulas before feeding one to your dog.
Conclusion
Overall, kibble is a type of dry dog food that can be found online and in many different stores. There is kibble specially made for most dog breeds, this high-calorie dog food is affordable, and there are many different brands and formulas to choose from, depending on your dog’s needs. We hope that this article has helped clear up what kibble is and the pros and cons of feeding your dog this type of food.
Featured Image Credit: cottonbro, Unsplash
