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TOP 5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN A DOG FOOD

We all want the best for our furry companions. We choose great food for ourselves, and want to do the same for our dogs. After all, why should humans have all the yum? However, when it comes to choosing pet food, there’s such a huge range on the supermarket shelves that it can sometimes be overwhelming. So what should you look for? What things are the most important? What’s best for your dog? Here are our top five tips: GREAT FLAVOUR There’s nothing quite like seeing the excited wagging of your dog’s tail at meal time. And it’s important to ensure you’re giving your four-legged friend food that’s both delicious and nutritious. It’s why all Farmers Market products are specifically designed to be big on flavour, as well as vital nutrients for your dog. To maximise flavour and create some interest in your dog’s diet, you may wish to gradually introduce new proteins or types of dog food. For instance, you might want to chop a Farmers Market Chilled Roll and serve it on top of some Farmers Market Dry Dog Food. Or, you might want to mix Farmers Market Dry Dog Food with a Farmers Market Roast Chicken with Lentils. Remember that when you’re combining different flavours and foods, always stick to the same overall portion size for each meal, and introduce new foods gradually - to give your dog’s digestive system time to adjust. HIGH IN PROTEIN Dogs naturally crave and need protein. In fact, according to the Pet Food Industry Association of Australia, protein is a ‘critical nutrient’ for dogs. While many dog food manufacturers try to skimp on protein content by adding grain to their products, the Farmers Market range is completely grain-free and also has real Australian meat as the number one ingredient in every product. Farmers Market also offers a broad range of delicious animal proteins, including beef, chicken and lamb. You can read more about why protein matters for dogs here. FREE FROM ARTIFICIAL COLOURS, FLAVOURS AND ADDED PRESERVATIVES When it comes to choosing a dog food, you want to ensure the product you’re choosing is made from completely natural, healthy ingredients, and is free from nasty artificial colours, flavours or added preservatives. According to the RSPCA, too many preservatives can be detrimental to your dog’s health (for example, sulphite preservative induced thiamine deficiency can be fatal). COMPLETE AND BALANCED When feeding your dog, you also want to ensure that whatever food you are providing offers a complete and balanced source of nutrition. Your dog will also have specific nutritional requirements depending on its breed, size and stage of life. As such, it’s important to ensure that the dog food you choose has been carefully and specifically formulated to match your dog’s individual needs. If you’re unsure, it’s worth chatting with your vet. AUSSIE MADE If you choose Australian-made produce for yourself, why not also insist on it for your pet? As well as supporting Australian farmers, you choose Aussie-made dog food, you can be confident that what you read on the label is exactly what you’re getting. Always check that the dog food you are choosing complies with Australian Standard: Manufacturing and Marketing Pet Food AS 5812:2017. 1 100% Aussie made, Farmers Market was voted the 2018 Product of the Year in the Consumer Survey of Product Innovation. Over 13,500 people were surveyed, and Farmers Market came out on top in the Pet Care category. WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? If you want more general tips about what to feed your dog, take a look at this handy information from the RSPCA. If you have specific questions, speak with your vet....