New Year, New Food

It's still the beginning of 2020, which means that you have plenty of time to make changes or bring on challenges in the new year. One of those changes might be your dog's food. With each year comes new food and new studies, and if your dog's current food ends up on this "no-no" list, you might want to think about opting for a healthier option.

The Goods

The following three foods are getting some buzz for 2020:

• NomNomNow Chow-Wow - Yes, it's a mouthful, but this food is one of the best options for your dog. It has received a 9.7/10 from the Woof Whiskers staff as well as being noted as the healthiest option by Dog Food Guide. NomNomNow has multiple varieties, to chicken to turkey to beef.  NomNomNow functions as a subscription-type service that sends you fresh dog food regularly. Due to its very fresh ingredients, however, it is on the pricey end.
• Dr. Tim's Dry Dog Food - There's a reason "Dr." is in the title! This food keeps the health of your pup in mind with ample protein from chicken meal as well as brown rice, chicken fat, oat groats, and beet bulb. It is great for sensitive tummies and offers ample varieties for athletic dogs, dogs with weight issues, and more.
  
• Diamond Naturals - If you're looking for something great for your pup that won't break the bank, you can try the Diamond Naturals brand. This brand is family-owned and operated, so you know that they care. The food contains necessary nutrients and not many fillers. While it's not as high quality as the others on this list, it's perfect for your average adult dog. 

The Bads

Stay away from the following foods, as they can upset your dog's tummy and, worst case scenario, impact their health:

• IAMS - Unfortunately, while IAMS is affordable, much of its content is by-product meal, which takes away from the positive quality of any real meat in it.
• Kal Kan - This product is not nutritional from dogs and can actually cause dogs harm due to its tough-to-digest bone meal.
• Purina Dog Chow - While Purina certainly has healthy dog food lines, the specific "Dog Chow" line is packed with artificial colors and preservatives that impact the food's nutritional value.
• Pedigree - While its name might make it seem like a trusted brand, it contains unspecified meat as well as BHA preservatives. 
• Twin Pet - This is one of the least healthy foods out there, and has barely any protein in it. It is packed with BHA, fillers, and meat and bone meal.

Advice on Switching Foods

If you do end up changing your dog's food or trying a new formula, follow these tips to ease them into it. Gradually changing your dog's food is important, as it keeps their tummy happy!

• Day 1-2 - 3/4 old food, 1/4 new food
• Day 3-4 - 1/2 old food, 1/2 new food
• Day 5-6 - 1/4 old food, 3/4 new food
• Day 7 - You're ready for new food!

Remember, always read about your dog's food so that you know exactly what's going into their body!