Dog Food
How to find the right dog food?
The right dog food should provide your four-legged friend with the appropriate energy and all essential nutrients. Which feeding is suitable depends, among other factors, on your dog's age, weight, activity level, and individual needs. Also, taste, tolerability, and preferred food type play a role in the selection process.
At WOLTERS, you will find high-quality dry food and wet food for dogs in various life stages. Different recipes featuring meat or fish, selected protein sources, and grain-free options enable a tailored diet for your dog. Complementary food products like vegetable flakes or mixes can be used to individualise meals.
Complete feed or complementary feed?
Before selecting, check whether it is a complete feed or a complementary feed. A complete feed is formulated to provide your dog with all necessary nutrients when fed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Complementary feeds, on the other hand, are intended to be combined with other food components. These may include pure meat cans, vegetable flakes, or other food supplements. They should not be fed as a sole diet unless expressly labelled as complete feed.
You can find the precise classification on the packaging and in the specifications of the respective item. Also, pay attention to the feeding and preparation instructions provided there.
Dry dog food – practical and easy to portion
Dry food has a low moisture content and is easy to store, weigh, and portion. It is suitable for daily feeding and can be used on the go or in a food toy depending on the size of the kibbles.
When selecting a dry dog food, you should pay attention to the declaration, the contained protein sources, and the suitability for the specific life stage. Puppies require a different nutrient composition than adult or senior dogs. Very active dogs also have a different energy requirement than dogs with a more sedate lifestyle.
Always provide your dog with enough fresh water when feeding dry food. If your four-legged friend prefers to eat softer kibbles, you can soak them in a little warm water according to the product instructions.
Wet dog food – high moisture content and various types
Wet food contains significantly more moisture than dry food and is often readily accepted by many dogs due to its consistency and intensive smell. It is available in various types and can sizes and can be used as complete food or – depending on the recipe – as part of a combined feeding strategy.
Also check whether the wet dog food is labelled as complete feed or complementary feed. Pure meat cans typically require additional ingredients to ensure a consistently balanced diet. Pre-prepared meals, on the other hand, already contain harmonised ingredients and nutrients.
Opened cans should be covered and stored in the refrigerator, and consumed within the suggested timeframe. Take the food out in good time before mealtime so that it is not served straight from the fridge.
Puppy food for growth and development
Puppies and young dogs are still growing and require food with energy and nutrient content tailored to this life stage. Particularly, the ratio of various minerals plays an important role during development. Therefore, use a product explicitly labelled as puppy or junior food.
The appropriate food quantity depends on the current weight, expected final weight, and age of the puppy. Divide the daily ration into several meals and regularly monitor physical development. Since puppies grow quickly, the amount needs to be adjusted more frequently than for adult dogs.
Adult dog food for adult dogs
Adult dog food is intended for adult dogs and is available in various recipes. The required energy amount depends significantly on size, activity, environment, and individual metabolism. The quantity guidelines on the packaging therefore only offer a starting point.
Monitor your dog's weight and body shape and adjust the daily ration as needed. Snacks, chews, and rewards during training provide additional energy and must be factored into the total food amount.
Senior and light dog food
As dogs age, their energy needs can change. Senior food is adapted to meet the needs of older dogs and should be selected in accordance with their actual age, activity level, and physical condition.
Light recipes often have an adjusted energy density and can facilitate controlled feeding. However, the correct portion size remains crucial. For significant weight changes or special health requirements, you should coordinate the feeding with your veterinary practice.
Dog food with a selected protein source
The protein source is an important selection criterion when it comes to dog food. In the assortment, you will find recipes featuring lamb, beef, duck, horse, game, buffalo, rabbit, or various fish species. This allows you to choose a variety that matches your dog's taste and previous feeding habits.
Single protein recipes use a single selected animal protein source according to their declaration. They can simplify the feeding process. However, the overall composition is always decisive, as other animal components or fats may also be relevant for individual tolerability.
If there is a suspicion of a food allergy, the selection of a suitable elimination diet should be coordinated with a veterinary practice. The term single protein alone does not automatically make a product a suitable diet for every allergy sufferer.
Grain-free dog food
Grain-free dog food avoids ingredients like wheat, barley, spelt, or corn. Alternative carbohydrate sources such as potatoes or sweet potatoes can be used. In the WOLTERS assortment, you will find various grain-free dry and wet food recipes.
Grain-free does not automatically mean that a food is generally of higher quality or better suited for every dog. The entire recipe, appropriate nutrient provision, and individual tolerability are crucial. Dogs without intolerances can also utilise grain.
Fish-based dog food with salmon and white fish
Fish offers an alternative to traditional meat types and provides high-quality animal protein. Depending on the recipe, ingredients like salmon, white fish, sardine, or pollock may be used. Fish naturally contains fatty acids, but the quantity and composition can vary by fish type and product.
Fish4Dogs offers fish-based dry and wet food variants for different life stages. You can also find recipes from Wolf's Nature with fish as a selected animal protein source. Check the respective composition and age indication to choose the right food for your dog.
Wolf's Nature dog food
Wolf's Nature offers dry food for various life phases and needs. The grain-free recipes combine selected animal protein sources like salmon, lamb, land chicken, buffalo, or rabbit with plant-based components.
The range includes options for puppies and young dogs, adult dogs, as well as light and senior recipes. Different package sizes allow you to try a smaller amount first or choose a larger supply for regular feeding.
Lucky's Black Label dry and wet food
Lucky's Black Label includes baked dry food and various wet food options. The recipes feature different animal protein sources, including beef, lamb, duck, horse, game, and pollock.
In addition to complete meals, you will find pure meat variants. Pay special attention to the declaration as complete or complementary feeds. Complementary meat cans can be combined with suitable plant ingredients and necessary nutrient supplements to create an individual ration.
How do you transition your dog to a new food?
A food transition should ideally be done gradually. First, mix a small amount of the new food with the current diet and gradually increase the proportion over several days. At the same time, reduce the amount of the existing food accordingly.
Monitor your dog's stool, appetite, and overall behaviour during the transition. How long the change takes depends on individual tolerability. If there are persistent digestive issues or other concerns, you should seek veterinary advice.
How much dog food does your dog need?
The feeding recommendation on the packaging provides guidance for the daily amount. However, actual requirements can be influenced by age, weight, activity, metabolism, and additional food components.
Weigh the daily ration as accurately as possible and also consider any snacks and chews given. Regularly check your dog's body shape and weight. This way, you can timely adjust the food amount and support an appropriate diet.