Food

Dry dog food, otherwise known as “kibble,” is known for its long shelf life, but how long does dry dog food really last? Once a bag is opened, it should be used up within four to six weeks, assuming it’s stored under optimal conditions. Shelf Life of Nutrients Generally, bags of unopened kibble have a

How much to feed your dog depends on the dog’s size, age, genetics/breed, level of activity, and the food itself. Even whether the dog is spayed or neutered can make a difference in how much to feed your dog. That’s why there are no official feeding guidelines for dogs. How much to feed your dog

Small breed dogs are those who weigh 20 pounds or less. While the Association of American Feed Control Officials – the organization that develops the nutritional standards that define “complete and balanced” diets for dogs – does not have any nutrient recommendations specifically for small breed dogs, there may be some merit to feeding your

Seeing soy in a dog food ingredient list may not sound like something a dog would like to eat. Indeed, ingredients like soybean meal, soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, and soybean oil may make you raise an eyebrow. But before you start searching pet-food shelves for soy-free dog food, let’s talk about what purpose

All dogs can be vegan, provided their nutritional needs are met. Dogs are omnivores, able to utilize nutrients from both meat and plant-based foods. Dogs require protein in their diet, but that protein can come from either meat or plants. And yes, dogs can digest carbs—it’s one of the key differences between dogs and modern

How to switch dog food depends a bit on what you’re switching to or from. For example, if your dog suffers from a simple digestive upset with vomiting and/or diarrhea, your veterinarian may recommend that you feed a bland diet for a few days—without a transition period. But, if you’ve simply decided to change his

Your dog has loose stools and you wisely consulted your veterinarian who may have given you medications that will help with diarrhea. But you wonder if food choices affect loose stool. Yes, they do. The best thing to feed dogs with loose stool boils down to providing reasonable nutrition through food that’s bland and high

No matter the occasion, your dogs will anticipate and enjoy the opportunity to savor a special treat made just for them. ©Nancy Kerns Create a custom cake by assembling your dog’s favorite ingredients, such as peanut butter, bananas, apples, pecans, walnuts, unsweetened shredded coconut, carrots, bacon, chicken, fish, eggs, or cheese – or add whatever

We’re excited about the possibilities of Whole Dog Journal’s searchable database of dry dog foods, and hope you find it to be helpful for finding good foods for your dogs. We’re excited to now present information about every single one of the dry dog foods made by the companies on our “Approved Foods” list, including

What should I feed my dog? If we had a dollar for every time we’ve been asked that question, we could retire today!  Here’s what to look for in dog food and the criteria we use to identify good-quality dry dog foods. We want to see named animal protein sources at the top of the

Independent pet supply stores often have the best-informed, most helpful staff, who can help direct you to appropriate foods for your dog’s needs. We suggest buying from independent stores whenever possible (but understand that not everyone lives in a town with one or more of these!) Many people (and even many veterinarians) believe that all

By applying the foregoing criteria, we’ve found a thousand or more good foods to choose from; their manufacturers appear on our “Approved Dry Dog Foods” list. But we know what you’re going to ask next: How do you choose a dog food for your dog? The answer depends on what you’re feeding your dog now and what he

It’s possible to make a homemade diet for dogs with liver disease, but get a recipe from a qualified veterinary nutritionist. The free ones on the internet are often not adequate or nutritionally balanced. Credit: humonia / Getty Images Because the liver is intimately associated with digestion, feeding the proper diet to a dog with

Cabbage can provide some fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals. It has plenty of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, and beta carotene (a precursor of vitamin A). As is true of many vegetables, it also has plenty of antioxidants. Plus, many dogs enjoy crunching on small pieces of cabbage. Dogs can eat raw

For most adult dogs, a twice-a-day feeding schedule—12 hours apart—works best. Credit: Chalabala / Getty Images Dogs like regular schedules, and that includes your dog’s feeding schedule. Most veterinarians recommend that dogs eat twice a day, approximately 12 hours apart. If it’s longer, you could cause nausea, as he gets hungry just like people do.

Corn in dog food is ground, so your dog benefits from its nutrients. Corn on the cob is whole, so it is not well digested. In addition, corn cobs are not at all digestible and can make your dog sick. Credit: K_Thalhofer / Getty Images Your dog can eat corn. Corn is a common a

What’s the best way to store dry dog food? The perfect storage container is important – but focus first on what you’ll put into it: When shopping, check the “best by” dates on the packages and don’t buy foods that are within six months of expiration. Buy the bags with the farthest-away expiration dates. Buy

Coconut oil, an edible fat derived from the meat and milk of the coconut palm fruit, is often touted as a superfood for dogs. At temperatures above 75°F, coconut oil is a clear liquid; at colder temperatures, it’s solid and white, like vegetable shortening. What Does Coconut Oil Do for Dogs? The alleged benefit with