Holistic-class food for dogs: compositional features, types and selection criteria

For full growth and development, any dog ​​needs good nutrition, the quality of life of your pet directly depends on what it eats. Unfortunately, in the frantic pace of life, it is not always possible to spend several hours in search of quality products and in the kitchen preparing natural food for the dog.

In this case, ready-made feeds from the holistic category will be the best solution, which will not only save the owner's time, but also provide the four-legged friend with all the necessary nutrients, macro- and microelements.

Nowadays, the pet industry is replete with a wide variety of offers of various dog food. It is difficult for a novice breeder to understand all the intricacies of the assortment on his own, so this question is definitely worth understanding in more detail.

Feed is conventionally divided into several segments:

• economy;
• premium;
• super premium;
• holistics.

Economy compositions can be bought at any store at affordable prices, but they will not be the best choice for a pet - they are made from low-quality products, and the percentage of ingredients in them usually does not meet the recommended standards. Loving dog breeders prefer food of at least premium class, and the most caring ones make their choice in favor of holistic ones.

Holistic contains sustainable meat and fish - these ingredients become a source of animal amino acids for dogs.Synthetic protein components are not involved in the creation of such mixtures. In addition, fresh vegetables, berries and fruits can be added to the composition of the product - they become a source of fiber. The use of wheat and corn flour is completely excluded.

Holistic creators paid special attention to vitamin and mineral supplements - the value of useful micronutrients is significantly increased in comparison with premium and super-premium products. Due to this, the dog receives, along with the food, the daily norm of trace elements that it needs to maintain activity and health.

It should be borne in mind that you can't buy a holistic on the shelves of a regular store and you certainly won't find it in supermarkets, you will not see advertisements for such food on TV and you will not see a banner with a picture of a happy dog ​​on the streets - holistics do not require a special introduction. These products are purchased in specialized retail outlets, and only by pre-order.

Foods in this category are suitable for daily feeding of the dog, they do not contain fat, while in the assortment line of each brand there are compositions for small puppies, teenage dogs, elderly and weakened animals.

Of course, holistic - these are very expensive feed, but at the same time and economical, especially since such food can be safely attributed to the correct and healthy, which means that you can significantly save on examinations with a veterinarian and the cost of treating your pet for all diseases that are the result of an unbalanced diet of a four-legged friend.

The main advantage of holistic is the complete absence of ingredients that have an adverse effect on the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the musculoskeletal and endocrine system. But there are no preservatives, glutamates, flavor enhancers and aroma enhancers in holistics. The use of GMOs and synthetic colors is prohibited - only natural products can be found in the feed.

The main principle of manufacturers is to use only those food products that a person himself can eat.

The composition of the main components of the feed may vary, but it necessarily contains lean meat, fiber, and in addition vitamins and mineral components - as you know, the combination of meat with vegetables has the most beneficial effect on the digestion process.

Typically, the main components of such food are:

• lamb, veal, venison, rabbit and poultry (always fresh and dehydrated);
• lentils;
• Brown rice;
• seaweed;
• white lean fish;
• fennel, chicory, basil and other medicinal herbs;
• potatoes or carrots;
• apples;
• cranberries, blackberries, blueberries and other berries;
• sprouted oats.

Holistic are the undisputed leader among all other feeds. Nevertheless, there are also negative aspects in them, so we propose to figure out what are the main advantages and disadvantages of such products.

Pros.

• Natural composition - Holistic contain exclusively meat, lean fish and poultry, as well as juicy vegetables and herbs.
• Environmental friendliness - all products used in products are grown mainly abroad on eco-farms, without the use of growth stimulants, hormones and antibiotics.
• Palette of flavors - the assortment is very large, so much so that even the most demanding gourmets can only envy.
• Veterinarians involved in product development, they constantly review the composition and improve it, which is especially important for four-legged friends with gastrointestinal tract pathologies and a predisposition to allergies.
• Vitamins and minerals - in holistics there are vitamin and mineral supplements that provide the pet with a daily intake of nutrients that are important for maintaining healthy eyes, skin, as well as hair and heart. The product is enriched with berries and algae extracts - from which animals receive antioxidants and chondroprotectors.
• Profitability. Of course, holistic food is expensive, but due to the balance and nutritional value of the composition, the animals feel satiety earlier, and the feeling of satiety lasts much longer than with conventional food, thus, the animal consumes one third less food.

Minuses:

• price - as we already mentioned, the price tag for feed starts from 700 rubles. per kg and ends in 5-7 thousand;
• complexity of purchase - such products are not sold at regular points of sale, special outlets are allocated for them, of which there are very few.

Despite the complexity of the purchase and the tidy sum that will have to be given to the owner of the dog, for most dog breeders the choice is obvious - if the health of your four-legged friend is important to you, then, without a doubt, you need to choose food from the holistic category, completely excluding economy class products with very dubious quality from the diet ...

Holistic food is available in several versions - canned food, jellied wet and dry mixtures, so each owner can choose the option that suits his dog's taste more than others.

Depending on the age and condition of the animal, several product lines are produced under the brand name of each well-known manufacturer.

Small four-legged pets, like no other, need full and balanced feeding, since the body grows very quickly, develops rapidly and needs useful micro- and macroelements for full development.

The health and subsequent quality of their life largely depends on what and how young dogs feed - holistics for puppies fully meet the needs of the baby... Puppies are usually prone to allergic reactions and problems with the digestion of new foods - including holistic in the diet avoids all of these problems.

Upon reaching physical maturity, pets no longer need a specialized approach to feeding - by this time the body's immunity has already been developed, and all vital organs and systems are formed, therefore, allergic manifestations occur much less frequently.

But, Do not lose sight of the fact that the middle of a dog's life is often associated with increased physical activity, so each dog expends a lot of calories. To help your pet replenish its energy reserves, it needs protein and other nutritious foods.

In adult bitches, maturity is also associated with pregnancy, childbirth and feeding of puppies - it is very important that the animal is prepared for them, and proper nutrition of the animal plays an important role in this process. Please be aware that the quality of the litter largely depends on the health of the mother.

With age, dogs slow down many processes, including metabolism. This leads to general physical weakness, hearing loss, smell and visual acuity. Pets over 6–7 years old are unaccustomed to activity, and visits to veterinarians become a habit.

To keep your pet strong and healthy, his diet should contain a high content of vitamins and minerals, but it is better to reduce the content of proteins and fats, since the digestive tract is no longer working so well and may simply not be able to cope with the heavy load.

It's no secret that with age, dogs are increasingly experiencing joint problems - meanwhile, this disease is also successfully corrected by proper nutrition.

Holistics are produced for sterilized pets and animals with various pathological conditions.

Let's take a closer look at the list of the best holistic scholars.

Canadian brand products. A distinctive feature of this feed is the increased protein content., which is especially true for animals with weak intestines. In addition, the product line offers cereal mixes and hypoallergenic formulations. The manufacturer manufactures its products for animals of different ages with different levels of activity.

Holistic, produced in the USA, the main advantage of the brand is the breadth of the assortment, there are even feeds with exotic types of meat.

When creating a product, the manufacturer focuses on animals with reduced immunity and dogs with chronic diseases. As a beneficial supplement, fish oil is used, which is considered the best source of beneficial Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids. This product is well absorbed by the animal's body and helps to normalize the digestive processes.

Another hypoallergenic Canadian food, which is recognized as one of the best in the world. It is based on only the highest quality meat.

This feed is a complete, balanced diet for adult animals. The main component of the product is natural poultry meat (usually duck, turkey or chicken), as well as flour made from salmon and herring. Oats, barley and potatoes are used as the main source of carbohydrates. The composition is enriched with cranberries - it is responsible for the condition of the urinary organs, as well as extracts of mussels, shrimp and crab, containing elements useful for joints.

Grain-free lines are produced for dogs with allergies, and there are mixtures for puppies and animals over 7 years old. The composition includes fatty acids, due to which the pet's coat remains thick, shiny and silky.

This product is almost impossible to find on the shelves of Russian stores. Holistic is produced in America and exported exclusively to European countries. Under this brand are produced cereal-free food, which are intended for dogs of various categories.

A well-known Belgian brand that has been popular with Russian dog breeders for many years. Optimal for feeding young, adult and elderly dogs. The product line includes hypoallergenic grain-free diets as well as foods fortified with probiotics.

Especially popular among breeders is the "Rabbit with Sweet Potato" series food, which is suitable for adult animals suffering from eating disorders. Its characteristic feature is the use of dietary rabbit meat as the main component - this product is known to be characterized by a reduced presence of fats and bad cholesterol.

This feed is made in America. Among professional breeders, it has long earned a reputation as a top quality zoo product. The feed is made from two types of dehydrated meat, with poultry and fatty fish meal as additional protein sources. The composition includes potatoes, cottage cheese and chicken eggs, there are no cereals in it.

All our products are enriched with all important vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.

A wide variety of vegetables, unsweetened fruits, berries and fresh herbs are used as a source of fiber to ensure better digestibility of food. Mixes are available for a variety of categories, including a line for overweight dogs.

A Canadian grain-free formula that is ideal for pets of all breeds. It is made from duck meat, turkey meat and salmon fillet, contains antioxidants that contribute to the formation of immunity - they are obtained from extracts of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, as well as cranberries, seaweed and vegetables also become a source of essential vitamins.

When choosing holistics, you need to consider:

• dimensions of the animal - large, small, medium;
• health status;
• breed;
• age;
• physiological features.

When choosing the optimal feed, you should proceed from several principles.

• Do not trust advertisements and the opinion of other inexperienced breeders - for each animal, a holistic must be selected individually.
• It will be useful to consult with a professional veterinarian before choosing the composition - it is possible that the pet will need a specialized medical line of feed.
• When choosing food, remember that holistic cannot be cheap.
• Be sure to check the composition of the suggested dog mix. If not all the ingredients are spelled out in detail, it is better not to risk the pet's health and refuse to purchase.

How to choose the best dry food, as close as possible to natural, see below.