Holistic-class dog food: composition, types and selection criteria

For the full growth and development of any dog ​​you need good nutrition, the quality of life of your pet depends on what it eats. Unfortunately, in the frantic pace of life it is not always possible to spend several hours in search of quality products and in the kitchen preparing natural food for the dog.

In this case, the best solution will be ready-made feeds from the category of holists, which not only save the host time, but also provide the four-legged friend with all the necessary nutrients, macro- and microelements.

Nowadays, the pet industry is replete with a wide variety of offers of different dog food. It’s difficult for a novice breeder to understand all the intricacies of the assortment, so this question is definitely worth it to understand it in more detail.

The feed is conventionally divided into several segments:

• economy;
• premium;
• super premium;
• holistic

The economy category can be purchased at any store at affordable prices, but they will not be the best choice for a pet - they are made from low-quality products, and the percentage ratio of ingredients in them usually does not meet the recommended standards. Loving dog breeders prefer feeds not lower than the premium class, and the most caring ones make their choice in favor of holists.

Holistics contain environmentally friendly meat and fish - These ingredients become a source of animal amino acids for dogs. Synthetic protein components are not involved in the creation of such mixtures. Fresh vegetables, berries and fruits can additionally be added to the product - they become a source of fiber. The use of wheat and corn flour is completely excluded.

Holists' creators paid particular attention to vitamin and mineral supplements - the value of useful trace elements is significantly increased in comparison with premium and super premium products. Due to this, the dog gets along with the food the daily rate of trace elements that it needs to maintain activity and health.

It should be borne in mind that You will not buy a holistic on the shelves of a regular store and you certainly will not find it in supermarkets, you will not see such feed on TV and you will not see a banner with a picture of a happy dog ​​on the streets - holists do not require any special presentation. These products are purchased in specialized outlets, and exclusively on pre-order.

Feed in this category is suitable for daily feeding the dog, they do not contain fat, while in the assortment line of each brand there are formulations for small puppies, teenage dogs, the elderly and weak animals.

Of course, Holistics are very expensive food, but at the same time economical, especially since such food can be safely attributed to the correct and healthy, which means you can significantly save on vet inspections and expenses on the treatment of your pet for all illnesses that are the result of unbalanced nutrition of the four-legged friend.

The main advantage of holists is the complete absence of ingredients that have an adverse effect on the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the musculoskeletal and endocrine systems. But there are no preservatives, glutamates, flavor enhancers and aromas in the holistics. The use of GMO and synthetic dyes is prohibited - in the feed you can find only natural products.

The basic principle of manufacturers is to use only those food products that can be eaten by a person himself.

The composition of the main components of the feed can vary, but it necessarily contains lean meat, fiber, and in addition vitamins and mineral components - as is known, the combination of meat with vegetables has the most beneficial effect on the digestive process.

Usually the main components of this feed are:

• lamb meat, veal, venison, rabbit, and poultry (necessarily fresh and dehydrated);
• lentils;
• Brown rice;
• seaweed;
• white lean fish;
• fennel, chicory, basil and other medicinal herbs;
• potatoes or carrots;
• apples;
• cranberries, blackberries, blueberries and other berries;
• oats germinated.

Holists are the undisputed leader among all other feeds. Nevertheless, there are also negative aspects in them, so we suggest finding out what the main advantages and disadvantages of such products are.

Pros.

• Natural composition - Holistics contain only meat, lean fish and poultry, as well as succulent vegetables and greens.
• Environmental friendliness - All products used in products are grown mainly on eco-farms, without the use of growth stimulants, hormones and antibiotics.
• Palette of tastes - The range is very large, so much so that even the most demanding gourmets can only envy.
• Veterinarians involved in product development, Constantly review the composition and improve it, which is especially important for four-legged friends with gastrointestinal tract pathologies and a predisposition to allergies.
• Vitamins and trace elements - in the holistics there are vitamin and mineral supplements that provide the pet with a daily rate of nutrients that are important for maintaining a healthy eye, skin, and wool and heart. The product is enriched with berries and algae extracts - of which animals receive antioxidants and chondroprotectors.
• Efficiency. Of course, holistikis are expensive feeds, but due to the balance and nutritional value of the composition, the feeling of satiety in animals comes earlier, and the feeling of satiety lasts much longer than when using normal feed, thus, the animal consumes a third less food.

Minuses:

• cost - As we already mentioned, the price tag for food starts from 700 p. per kg and ends with 5-7 thousand;
• difficulty of purchase - such products are not sold in ordinary points of sale, special retail outlets are allotted for them, of which very few.

Despite the complexity of the purchase and the tidy sum to be given to the owner of the dog, for most dog breeders the choice is obvious - if you care about the health of your four-legged friend, then, without a doubt, you need to choose food from the category of holists, completely eliminating products of economy class with a very doubtful quality from the diet .

Forage feeds are available in several versions - canned food, gelled wet and dry mixes, so each owner can choose the one that his dog will like more than others.

Depending on the age and condition of the animal, several product lines are produced under the name of each well-known manufacturer.

Small, four-legged pets, like no one else, need a full and balanced feeding, as the body grows very quickly, develops rapidly and needs useful micro and macro elements for full development.

The health and subsequent quality of their life depends on how and how young dogs feed; Holistics for puppies to fully meet the needs of the baby. The body of puppies is usually prone to allergic reactions and problems with the digestion of new products - the inclusion in the diet of holistic helps to avoid all these problems.

Upon reaching physical maturity, pets no longer need a specialized approach to feeding - by this time the body’s immunity has been developed, and all vital organs and systems have been formed, therefore allergic manifestations occur much less frequently.

But, you should not lose sight of the fact that the middle of a dog's life is often associated with increased physical activity, so each dog spends a lot of calories. In order to help his pet regain energy, he needs proteins and other foods with increased nutritional value.

In adult bitches, maturity is also associated with pregnancy, childbirth and feeding of puppies - it is very important that the animal is prepared for them, and proper nutrition of the animal plays an important role in this process. Keep in mind that the quality of the litter depends on the mother's health.

With age, many processes in dogs slow down, including metabolism. This leads to general physical weakness, loss of hearing, smell, and visual acuity. Pets older than 6–7 years old are not active, and visits to veterinarians are a habit.

In order to maintain the strength and health of the pet, his diet should contain a high content of vitamins and minerals, But the content of proteins and fats is better to reduce, because the digestive tract does not work so well and can simply not cope with a large load.

It is no secret that with age dogs are increasingly experiencing problems with the joints - meanwhile, this disease is also successfully corrected by proper nutrition.

Available holistic for sterilized pets and animals with certain pathological conditions.

Let us dwell on the list of the best holists.

Canadian brand products. A distinctive feature of this feed is a high content of proteins., which is especially important for animals with weak intestines. In addition, the product line offers grain mixtures and hypoallergenic compounds. The manufacturer manufactures its products for animals of different ages with different levels of activity.

Holistic made in the USA, the main advantage of the brand is the breadth of the range, there are even feeds with exotic types of meat.

When creating a product, the manufacturer focuses on animals with reduced immunity and dogs with chronic diseases. As a useful additive is used fish oil, which is considered the best source of beneficial acids Omega-3 and Omega-6. This product is well absorbed by the body of the animal and contributes to the normalization of digestive processes.

Another hypoallergenic Canadian food, which is recognized as one of the best in the world. The basis is only the highest quality meat.

This feed is a complete balanced nutrition for adult animals. The main component of the product is natural poultry meat (usually used duck, turkey or chicken), as well as flour derived from salmon and herring. Oats, barley and potatoes are used as the main source of carbohydrates. The composition is enriched with cranberries - it is responsible for the condition of the urinary organs, as well as extracts of mussels, shrimp and crab, containing elements useful for joints.

Bezzernovye rulers for dogs suffering from allergies, produce mixtures for puppies and animals over 7 years. The composition includes fatty acids, so that the pet's hair remains thick, shiny and silky.

This product is almost impossible to find on the shelves of Russian stores. Holistic produced in America and exported exclusively to European countries. Under this brand produced Hazelless food that is intended for dogs of various categories.

The famous Belgian brand, which has been popular with Russian dog breeders for many years. It is optimal for feeding young, adult and older dogs. The product line includes hypoallergenic grainless rations, as well as products enriched with probiotics.

Among the breeders, Rabbit with Sweet Potato fodder is particularly popular for adult animals suffering from eating disorders. Its characteristic feature is the use of dietary rabbit meat as the main component - this product is known to be characterized by a reduced presence of fat and harmful cholesterol.

This feed is made in America. Among professional breeders, he has long earned the reputation of a zoo with the highest quality. Food is produced from two types of dehydrated meat, and flour from poultry and oily fish serves as additional sources of protein. Potatoes, cottage cheese and chicken eggs are introduced into the composition, there are no cereals in it.

All manufactured products are enriched with all important vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.

In order to provide better digestibility of food, a wide variety of vegetables, unsweetened fruits, berries, and fresh herbs are used as a source of fiber. Blends are available for various categories, including the dog-overweight line.

Canadian grainless composition, which is ideal for pets of all breeds. It is made from duck meat, turkey and salmon fillet, contains antioxidants that promote the formation of immunity - they are obtained from an extract of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and cranberries, seaweed and vegetables are also a source of essential vitamins.

When choosing a holistic, you should consider:

• the dimensions of the animal are large, small, medium;
• health status;
• breed;
• age;
• physiological features.

When choosing the optimal feed should proceed from several principles.

• Do not trust the advertising and the opinion of other inexperienced breeders - for each animal holistic should be selected individually.
• It will be useful to consult with a professional veterinarian before choosing a composition - it is possible that the pet will need a specialized medical feed line.
• When choosing a feed, remember that a holistic cannot be cheap.
• Be sure to examine the composition of the proposed dog mixture.If not all ingredients are spelled out in detail, it is better not to risk the pet's health and to refuse to buy.

On how to choose the best dry food, as close as possible to the natural, see below.