The 14 Best Soft Dry Dog Foods!

Why would you need soft dry dog food?

Senior Dogs

Senior dogs require special diets, as their nutritional requirements differ from other stages in the life stage of a dog. Senior dogs’ best soft dry dog food must contain high-quality protein because senior dogs tend to have less efficient digestive systems.

As delicate as a dog’s digestive system is, the best soft dry dog food should include supplements that help ease digestion. For example, digestive enzymes or probiotics can be found in various brands. These can be especially beneficial for older dogs with gastritis or other issues related to the digestive system.

Puppies

Much like senior dogs, puppies require higher nutritional content. The best soft dry dog food for puppies features a high protein content and does not contain any grains or fillers. Puppy dog food should include six essential ingredients: protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. These elements make up the minimum daily requirement, which is determined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Dogs with dental issues

Dogs with dental issues may find it challenging to eat harder kibble. Fortunately, the best soft dry dog food can help ease this problem. Soft food can be easier to chew and digest, beneficial for tiny mouths or sensitive teeth. However, the best soft dry dog food should still contain a proper balance of vitamins and minerals, as well as other essential nutrients that will contribute to your dog’s long-term health.

Fussy eaters

Picky dogs can find it challenging to maintain a healthy diet if they don’t eat their kibble. But as previously mentioned, the best soft dry dog food should still maintain a proper balance of vitamins and minerals. In addition to this, healthy dog food can often be a great way to entice your pup to eat.

Allergies

Some dogs suffer from allergies. These can range from allergies to corn or wheat to sensitivities towards ingredients like chicken, beef, or fish. To avoid ingredients that could cause an adverse reaction, look for the words “hypoallergenic” or “limited ingredient.” 

All dog breeds

Again, soft dry food should still contain a proper balance of nutrients to keep your pup healthy. So when in doubt, look for the words “Complete and Balanced” on the label of the best soft dry dog food.

In addition, you may want to consider a recipe that is focused on a specific breed of dog. For example, it has excellent recipes for all large breeds and other formulas focused specifically on small dog breeds.

How to choose the best soft dry dog food?

Avoiding obesity linked to many diseases is key and can be done by opting for high-quality dog foods and combining that with daily exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

It is also essential to consider the health of your dog. If you have a senior dog, choose soft dry food that is easy on the stomach and is limited in fillers. If you have small dogs, make sure that the soft dry food contains balanced nutrients for a smaller breed life stage.

The best soft dry dog food formulas are crafted with the most straightforward and most nutritious ingredients. Opt for high-quality ingredients like whole meats, fruits, vegetables, and grains, and take heed of the different macronutrients like proteins, fats, and carbs. 

You will need to provide your dog with the most appropriate diet that is healthy and beneficial to his life stage so that you can help give your dog a long and healthy life. 

However, it’s vital to understand that feeding healthy helps with focus and behavioral issues. Finally, consider choosing a food that is made of mostly meat and features organic veggie and fruit ingredients.

Say no to artificial ingredients

Artificial ingredients can be linked to several diseases. Artificial colors and flavors can also be dangerous and may lead to serious health problems.

Avoid corn, wheat, and soy

While these ingredients are not dangerous to your dog’s health, they are fillers with no nutritional value. These ingredients are often used to bulk up the food, so taking them out will lead to an increase in the amount of meat and produce your dog ingests.

Meat is first

This means that there should be more meat ingredients than any other single ingredient. It should also mean that the meat source is first on the ingredient list. You can also opt for exotic meats like venison, buffalo, lamb, and so forth. 

Free-range meat recipes are sometimes enhanced with coconut oil and apple cider vinegar for a shiny coat. They may also feature ingredients like flaxseed, carrots, chickpeas and are free of soy, GMO ingredients and artificial preservatives and colors. These are the formulas you should try to opt for.

Grain-free and organic are good

These ingredients are often used to help bind the dog food together. They can also lead to a host of allergies in your dog. While it can be a little more expensive, organic ingredients are better for your dog because they are free of pesticides and chemicals. Here’s the takeaway on additives in dog foods.

According to Animal Wellness, “Artificial ingredients are often highly antagonistic and can contribute to an animal’s mental and emotional imbalance,” adds Andi Brown, director of Halo and author of The Whole Pet Diet. “Some additives can be so detrimental that they can have the same effect on an animal as hallucinogenic drugs have on people. 

Andi recommends adding minerals and vitamins, especially the entire complex of B vitamins, to a dog’s food to help with behavior problems.

The Price of Bad Nutrition 

If you’re like us, you’ll want to feed a high-quality dog food throughout your dog’s life. It’s necessary to keep in mind that not all dog food is the same and that without good nutrition, your pup may suffer from numerous health problems, which may include the following:

• Malnutrition
• Skin & coat problems
• Allergies
• Obesity
• Cancer

Dogs with food allergies often come down with skin problems like rashes, hives, hot spots, and chronic itching. Your dog may at some stage develop allergies to protein and carbohydrate sources even if he’s consumed them for years, and by simply changing the protein sources, you may be able to stop the allergic reaction.  

Dogs fed a low-quality diet tend to become overweight or malnourished because their diet often lacks essential nutrients. When a diet is not complete and balanced or is minimal, malnutrition can set in. 

Protein Sources in Dog Food

 Protein sources are derived from meat, meat-by-product meal, meat and bone meal, soybean meal, corn gluten meal with a portion coming from whole corn, barley, whole wheat, rice, amino acids, and animal digest. 

Finally, keep in mind that most pet food manufacturers comply with the Association of American Feed Control Officials. (AAFCO) As a pet parent, you should spend most of your money on high-quality dog food than on any other pet-related expense apart from veterinary. 

Each protein source needs to be examined to check for digestibility. Dogs can digest most of the protein in muscle meat, but not much in other animal parts like hair or hooves. Fat is essential too and is a dog’s primary energy source. It delivers some of the vitamins to the dog’s system and is beneficial in the skin, coat, and paw pad health, as well as nose suppleness. 

Fats are derived from fatty acids, and many different fatty acids are suitable for your pup. Your dog can synthesize all types of fatty acids, but not omega-6 (linoleic acid), obtained from muscle meat and vegetable oil. 

 A small amount of omega-3’s can be found in fish oil, and this is beneficial in helping decrease inflammation and arthritic symptoms. Keep in mind that the omega-3 found in your dog food formula must be in the correct proportion to omega-6 fatty acids to be optimally effective. This is around a 1: 5 ratio)

Supplements for dogs

There’s a whole lot of focus on the best dog foods right now, but not enough said about all the soft chew supplements for dogs that you can add to your dog’s meals.

In this review, we will be discussing soft dry dog supplements that you can add to your dog’s soft dry dog food. Supplements for dogs should be added after you have started feeding high-quality dog food to ensure that your pet is getting the proper balance of nutrients.  

Remember, there are no magic supplements that can replace a balanced, nutritious diet. Only whole foods will provide the necessary nutrients your pet needs to live a healthy life.

Just as humans need supplements, dog hip and joint chews, 15-1 one multi chew, omega chews, allergy chews, and even calming chews are always recommended by veterinarians. If you’re like us choosing numerous top-notch dog supplements is just as important as feeding a good soft dry dog food. With a plethora of options available on the market, brands like Alpha Paws ensure trustworthy high-quality supplements with top-notch ingredients.

How do supplements benefit working or sporting dogs?

Supplements can benefit working or sporting dogs as some supplements help with training, focus, and recovery. If you have a dog that enjoys the outdoors, you should consider adding supplements to their diet. Sporting dogs are the same. Supplements are often considered for older dogs, but younger working or sporting dogs can benefit from supplements.

So, if you are thinking of adding supplements to your dog’s diet, consider these key points.

• What do you need the supplement for? Then compare the different options available to find one that will do what you need it to.
•  Would your dog benefit from a supplement designed for dogs with a specific condition or problem? For example, would your dog benefit from an antioxidant supplement if they have cancer? Or would they benefit more from a joint supplement for a dog with arthritis?
•  What size is your dog? Small, medium, or large. Supplements are designed for all dog breeds and dosage is based on the weight of the dog.
•  How much or how little does your dog eat? This will affect the size of the chew you choose.

Just remember, supplements won’t provide all the nutrients your pet needs, so they should be used in addition to a healthy diet.

What is the right kind of supplement for senior dogs?

The right kind of supplement for senior dogs is called glucosamine. Glucosamine is an essential part of your older dog’s diet. It is an amino sugar that occurs naturally in the body. Glucosamine helps to maintain healthy joint cartilage, which is essential as a dog’s age.

Daily antioxidants for dogs

This supports canine health in numerous ways. Antioxidants promote a healthy immune system, support optimal eye health in senior pets, and contribute to a regular inflammatory system. These can be added to your dog’s food to help neutralize potentially harmful free radicals. But here’s what you need to know:

•  All antioxidants work somewhat differently
•  A dog food diet that is varied and contains many antioxidants is beneficial to all life stages.
•  It’s never too early to start supplementing your dog’s food to manage oxidative stress in healthy dogs.
•  Senior dogs accumulate oxidized proteins and lipids, which can affect their health in many ways.
•  Active and working dogs also experience significant oxidative stress. This is because aerobic exercise can result in free radical accumulation. The muscles produce energy using mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of the cell. 

The more active your dog is, the more power consumed and the more free radicals made. This results in damage to healthy muscle tissue, which can affect endurance, performance, and recovery. 

That said, it’s necessary to use antioxidants to manage oxidative stress in dogs of all life stages. A high-quality dog soft dry dog food diet should be used in conjunction with supplements like green-lipped muscles, glucosamine, probiotics, prebiotics, multivitamins, allergy chews, hip & joint chews, and so forth. 

You should always reach out to your veterinarian to see which supplements work best for your dogs. Consider activity level, health issues, current pet meds, and life stage. Also, understand that even though high-quality dog foods have added vitamins and minerals, that may not be sufficient for your pup and that also if you add vitamins and minerals to a low-quality dog food, it does not make it a high-quality dog food since there are many components to healthy, high-quality dog food- with the number one factor being ingredients and where these ingredients are sourced. 

It’s worth spending a reasonable amount of money on the best dog food that you can afford as well as reputable supplements throughout your dog’s lifetime.

Now that we have that out of the way let’s get to the list. Here’s the takeaway on the best soft dry dog food.

Choosing high-quality dog food seems so confusing. How can I learn the basics of dog food?

Dog food is a very personal choice, and many factors go into making this decision. The first thing I would recommend is to find out your dog’s nutritional requirements. This will help determine how much your dog should be eating and what you need to look for in dog food. 

Always reach out to your vet if your pup has a health condition or if you need advice as to the best dog food for your dog.

My dog has a specific health problem. Can you recommend a dog food that could help his condition?

We like the idea of meeting the dog’s nutritional requirements first. This is because different food formulas can help manage certain health conditions—for example, a diet with less fat or dog food for sensitive stomachs. If you have your heart set on one particular formula, make sure to speak with the vet to find the best option for your dog.

What are some signs that my dog is not getting enough nutrients?

If you have been feeding your dog a specific food for a few months and are not doing well, it is always best to speak with the vet. This is because there could be a nutrient deficiency in the dog food you are currently feeding your pup. Also, if your dog has lost weight or is acting abnormally, it is time to chat with the vet.

What’s better… canned or dry dog food?

This is a very personal choice. If you are feeding an older dog that has trouble eating dry food, wet food may be the best option for them. As dogs get older, their teeth often become weaker, and harder to chew dry dog food. Canned food can be much easier for them to chew and also has added benefits.

How often should I feed my dog?

This also depends on your breed and age. “Free-feeding” is a popular way to get an accurate read of your dog’s nutritional requirements. This means leaving food out all day and refilling as necessary. However, if you find this is not working for your pup, you can switch to feeding three times a day and taking the food away after twenty minutes.

Is dry dog food better for teeth?

When the dog chews on dry food, it acts as a natural toothbrush. This is because of all the roughage in the kibble. The hard crunching action helps to scrape away plaque and tartar while the food is in the mouth. This doesn’t mean wet food is not suitable for teeth; just that kibble can be a healthy alternative.

What do I need to look for in dog food?

Check for a seal from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) stating that your dog’s needs will be met by eating this food.

Check for an expiration date on the dog food bag or can. You want to make sure that the superfoods are still active.

Check the contents of the dog food for all of your dog’s nutritional requirements. Remember that not all superfoods are created equal! Make sure you check for any harmful additives and food coloring.

Look at the protein and fat content of your dog’s food. This should be given in a percentage of the food. An excellent place to start is 18% protein and 12% fat for an average adult dog.

If there are no percentages, look at the first five ingredients in the dog food. Ideally, these will be meat-based proteins rather than vegetables or grains.

Some superfoods such as blueberries and flaxseed can be bought separately and fed to your dog in small quantities. This is great for dogs with food sensitivities and allergies to superfoods, such as salmon and eggs.

Does my dog need omega 3?

Omega 3 fatty acids are very beneficial to your canine friend’s health. This is because they promote a healthy coat and skin, help with anti-inflammation in the body, and can even lower your dog’s chances of getting cancer. 

You can supplement with Alpha Paws Omega Soft Chews. We like these because they feature flaxseed, wild Alaskan salmon oil, vitamin C, Biotin, Kelp, D.H.A. Gold, vitamin E, and more.

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