Feeding your dog healthy food is appropriate for them, depending on their age, size, and breed can be a smooth shopping trip. If you know what different types of food are on the market and what they have to offer as far as being healthy for your dog, shopping for the right type of healthy dog food can be simple. Dogs have different types of health needs. Looking for the right kind of food that is right for them is a necessary part of keeping your dog healthy.

Depending on your dog’s size, weight, and activity levels, there is an appropriate serving amount to give them during feeding time. Here are a few healthy tips to feed your dog by:

1. Allergies in dogs

When dogs have food allergies, oftentimes, the problem lies within the protein inside the food. The protein sets off an adverse immune response that causes cells to release chemical compounds that cause allergic reactions. Most allergens in dog food come from the most common foods. These food allergens are most commonly found in beef and chicken as well as more common supplements in dog food. To avoid buying allergens in your dog’s food, look out for gelatin, additives, chemicals, preservatives, or other artificial flavorings. When buying your dog’s food, things to be wary of are that starches or pure carbohydrates and pure are safer for your dog. Make sure the fats you buy inside your dog’s food are pure and don’t sneak in proteins.

2. Gluten free dog food

Gluten-free or grain-free dog food contains a higher count of protein and fats from other animals while having fewer carbs within the base. This combination of a dog makes it easier for the dog to digest unless they have a food allergy. If your dog suffers from allergies, feeding them gluten-free dog food may not be the answer since it contains a lot more proteins than other foods. Slowly introducing your dog to gluten-free food is best by incorporating half of their old food with half of the new gluten free diet.

3. High protein dog food

Aside from dogs that have allergies, high protein food is great for dogs that may require weight loss, senior dogs that need protein to help them upkeep their conditions, athletic dogs with high endurance, puppies in need of protein for their growth, and dogs that are in gestation or lactating.

4. People food and dogs

It can be tempting to feed your dog table scraps from your plate, although it is necessary to make sure you research to see if your dog can handle or digest the food you are giving them. Some people foods tend to be very toxic to dogs (i.e., chocolate, onions, alcohol, grapes, etc.) or can cause them to have stomach problems (i.e., gas, bad stools, etc.). Some foods we eat can be beneficial to a dog’s health, but make sure you ask your veterinarian what is good or bad as it may prevent your dog from getting sick.