5 The best Petsmart dog food – Chicago Tribune – Chicago Tribune

Your dog relies on you to feed them well, no matter their life stage. Petsmart offers a wide variety of choices to help you find the best dog food for your canine pal. (BestReviews)
Every pet owner wants the very best for their dog: lots of love, plenty of exercise and dog food that gives them all of the nutritional support their body needs. Choosing the best food for your dog can be challenging. Fortunately, Petsmart dog food covers a wide range of dietary needs for dogs at every stage of life.
Looking for a grain-free option that dogs love? Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Chicken and Sweet Potato Dog Food is a popular choice for its healthy, organic ingredients.
Picking the best dog food means choosing between wet and dry. Each has pros and cons that you should consider before selecting the one that’s best for your dog.
Wet food is often the choice for dogs who are fussy or picky eaters. It’s easy to pack good nutrition in wet food, too. Because each can usually only contains one or two servings, there may be fewer preservatives in wet food. On the other hand, wet food is generally more expensive than dry food and can be messy if your dog doesn’t finish the entire can.
Dry food is a more affordable alternative, and it is available in a variety of nutritional profiles to meet the needs of different dogs. It is convenient and easy to feed, and the hard kibble is good for cleaning your dog’s teeth. But some dogs just prefer wet food, and it can be challenging to get them to finish their dry chow.
Whether your dog prefers wet or dry, Petsmart dog food has plenty of options for even the fussiest eaters.
From working dogs to relaxing dogs, you’ll need to consider the level of activity of your dog. Dogs that routinely get plenty of exercise require more nutrient-dense foods than dogs who spend most of their days relaxing on the couch.
Petsmart dog food is available in a variety of formulations to address many different dietary concerns. Some dogs are sensitive to certain ingredients, while others need additional nutrients or extra protein to stay healthy. Your veterinarian can help you figure out which dietary concerns you can address through food.
Your dog is part of your family, and you are in charge of their good health. In many ways, you should feed your dog the same way you feed yourself. Look for Petsmart dog food with no chemicals or artificial colors.
High-quality ingredients, like real meat and organic vegetables, should be the main part of your dog’s food. Petsmart offers a variety of real-food dog foods with meat as the first ingredient and no GMOs.
In recent years, many pet owners and their vets have made the connection between diet and allergies that include itchy skin and digestive upset. And just like people, some dogs have food sensitivities and allergies that make grain-free foods a better option.
Look for Petsmart dog food that is clearly labeled “grain-free” for dogs with sensitivities.
Your dog’s food should offer balanced nutrition that meets their needs. Check the label to make sure that the nutritional profile of the Petsmart dog food you select has plenty of healthy fats, lean proteins and fruits or vegetables for a healthy canine friend.
It can be difficult to compare the price of dog food, as the size of the bag or type of food varies. It is more helpful to consider the per-pound price of the food you buy. Dog food at Petsmart is available for 65 cents to $5 per pound.
A. Dog food is not one size fits all. Each dog will have very different nutritional needs, and you’ll need to pay close attention to how their food affects them.
You’ll know you’ve chosen a good dog food when your dog:
Warning signs of illness or that your dog’s food isn’t treating them well include:
If you notice any of these signs, talk to your vet. They may recommend switching out your dog’s food.
A. Changing dog food too quickly can result in an upset tummy. Take your time to make the change, replacing 25% of your dog’s food every couple of days with the new food.
Pay close attention to how they respond as you begin to swap out their food. If you notice a negative change to their bathroom habits, or they seem unwell, make the change more slowly.
Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Chicken and Sweet Potato Dog Food: available at Petsmart

Our take: This grain-free option is great for dogs with allergies or sensitivities. 

What we like: It features tasty organic ingredients like flaxseed, blueberries and sweet potatoes and is made without common allergens, including corn, wheat or soy. Free-range chicken is the first ingredient.
What we dislike: It is one of the most expensive options available at Petsmart.
Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Adult Dog Food: available at Petsmart
Our take: This grain-free option comes with a more affordable price tag.
What we like: It is good for dogs at all life stages, from puppies to seniors. It’s grain-free and includes sweet potatoes and pumpkins as a digestive aid. Real salmon is appealing to most dogs.
What we dislike: The smell of this food is very strong, and some dogs prefer the chicken variety.
Purina Pro Plan Essentials Shredded Blend Adult Dry Dog Food: available at Petsmart
Our take: Dogs love the real meat in this dog food.
What we like: This dog food features both soft and hard kibble for healthy teeth and easy digestion. Chicken is the first ingredient, and there is no corn or wheat in this formulation. It’s good for dogs with sensitivities to those grains.
What we dislike: Some users reported bugs in unopened bags of dog food.
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Suzannah Kolbeck is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
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Copyright © 2021, Chicago Tribune
Copyright © 2021, Chicago Tribune

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