My top 5 picks for dog foods

As a parent, the amount of things we need to think about are just never-ending. That goes for pet parents too! Dog food today has come a long way from the standard kibble from years ago. Today the options are endless. You can choose from anything like custom ordered or refrigerated food, to the more common dry kibble, and canned foods. I've been a dog owner for many years and I'm going to share what has worked for my pups. I'll discuss different categories as well, to help you choose based on what your dog's needs are.

1. The puppy stage - ok, you've just brought home a brand new puppy and have a lot to learn, but there's also tons of choices when it comes to their food! Where to begin right? Back in October of last year when we welcomed our French bulldog puppy to our home, we gave him Royal Canin canned puppy food. It worked great for him and it helped build a healthy appetite.

2. The adult stage - my other two pups are large breed adult ages. We currently use Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult dry dog food. They love this and can't get enough. In fact, I find them pawing at their dog bowls despite that they've completed all their meals for the day!

3.  Another one for the adult stage - for my Frenchie pup who is now over a year old, we love Merrick’s Lil Plates Grain Free for small breed dogs. He loves the flavor, eats it all up and maintains good digestion as well.

4. Refrigerated fresh food - Freshpet. This can be found in pet stores in the refrigerated section. My dogs enjoyed it and it has great benefits including an interactive quiz on their website to help pinpoint what your dog’s nutrition needs are. Another great benefit is that the food is already cooked to preserve nutrients and freshness. This is a great option but can be pricey compared to other foods on the market.

5. Customized fresh food - The Farmer’s Dog. This is the ultimate in personalized experience for building the perfect meal plan for your dog. My dogs thoroughly enjoyed this food. Unlike Freshpet, this is a subscription service that is made to order so you will need to create your dog’s meal online as it is not available for purchase in stores. You can customize with your dog’s favorite flavors, dietary needs, and how often you need it delivered to your home. All around it is a great option but very costly for some. 

In recent years, there has been more awareness brought to the pet food industry and that is amazing for our dogs. I believe it is possible to find good dog foods that fit within anyone's budget, but do your research first. What may work for one doggo, may not work for yours. Another great tip which I've done myself, is check with your veterinarian as they know your dog's health records and information, and they can give you more precise advice on which brands or types of foods would be best for your pet. Time for dinner! Cheers to you!