Whether dry, wet, bought ready-made or made yourself or even cooked yourself. Choosing the right dog food is a huge challenge for us as owners. We all love our dogs and are responsible for ensuring that they don't lack anything. Every dog is different. And the right food should be just as individual.
Extruded dry food
Most dry foods available on the market are made using the extrusion process. All ingredients are chopped up and mixed into a paste using steam. Steam and frictional forces create temperatures of up to 200°C, which cooks the food mass. The mass is pressed into the desired chunk shape in a special device (the extruder) under high pressure and high temperatures.
Finally, water is removed from the croquettes using heat. The result is ready-made dry food. In this manufacturing process, the high pressure and heat kill many of the natural vitamins and they have to be artificially added afterwards so that the food is a complete feed. The food also swells up significantly in the stomach.
Cold-pressed dry food
As with the extrusion process, the raw materials are mixed together and then pressed through a shaping template using pressure. This process does not use steam, so that the temperatures during production only reach around 40°C to 80°C. The food is therefore not cooked, but "cold-pressed", which means that a larger proportion of nutrients is retained and artificial addition is not necessary. The food does not swell up, but only disintegrates in the dog's stomach.
The long-running hit from cdVet: Fit-CROCK! Whether as Classic, Active or puppy food - all varieties are cold-pressed and free from artificial additives or preservatives.
Check out our additional information in our other articles.
Wet food (canned)
The raw materials are "boiled down" and heated to at least 138°C for a long time. This kills many of the natural nutrients and also damages the vital essential fatty acids in their function. In most cases, these are then added artificially. There are now also canned foods that are produced more gently. One advantage is the much higher liquid content, which plays a major role in animals that do not naturally take in enough water.
Pure meat cans
These cans contain pure meat that has been heated for a short time to make it last longer. As with BARF, vegetables, herbs and possibly carbohydrates must be added to ensure a balanced meal. Pure meat cans can be an alternative to BARF if raw meat is not desired. Just like with canned food, the liquid content in the food is significantly higher than with dry food.
Raw feeding (BARF)
BARF is the type of feeding that comes closest to the original diet of our dogs (namely that of the wolf). However, variety is important here. Deficiencies must be prevented through balance and variety. When BARFing, the individual food components are given raw.
Cooking
Cooking is comparable to wet feeding from cans. However, you are practically creating your own "canned food". At the same time, you have more freedom in choosing the ingredients. The time required is significantly higher here and the balance is also your own responsibility. The nutrients that are killed during cooking must then be replenished.
"All-purpose feeding"
This changes things up. Sometimes there is BARF, sometimes a can and if you are in a hurry, sometimes some dry food. This type of diet offers variety, but is not suitable for all dogs. Sensitive digestive systems can be overwhelmed by the different types and digestibility and digestive disorders can occur.
“The leftovers” diet
The dog gets what is left over from the owner’s dinner. Sometimes it’s a bit of stew, sometimes a bit of fish. Now and then maybe just whatever the fridge has to offer. The negative thing here is that the food we eat is not always suitable for dogs. Particularly sensitive dogs cannot digest everything equally well. You should also pay attention to the seasoning of the dishes. These can lead to stomach ache and digestive problems in the dog's stomach.
In order to remain balanced with this feeding option, cdVet has developed the Fit-Barf Safe complete.
Amaranth is one of the oldest agricultural crops of humankind.It is not among the sweet grasses, such as normal grain varieties.It is one of the fox tail plants.This makes it to one of the pseudo-cereals.Amaranth is gluten-free and thus an excellent alternative for dogs who are fed grain free.- easily digestible- As an addition to fresh or canned meat
Content: 0.4 Kilogramm (€29.88 / 1 Kilogramm)
Fit-BARF BM-Yeast consists of brewers' yeast bound to malt rootlets. Brewers' yeast contains biotin, folic acid, iron, zinc, and trace elements, which have a positive influence on the condition and resistance of skin and hair. The nutrition-related regenerative capacity of individual cells can also be influenced. Malt rootlets are characterized by their content of easily digestible carbohydrates, crude fiber, and crude protein. Due to their high crude fiber content, germ buds also have a good dietary value.
Content: 0.6 Kilogramm (€18.25 / 1 Kilogramm)
The proportion of animal fat should be 15-25% in the diet of the dog and the cat should be at about 10%. If your dog or cat is fed with lean meat, it uses proteins to produce energy. In this case, wastes will be generated that need to be digested by liver and kidneys. The strain on the metabolism increases. On the long term, this can lead to congestions of the excretory organs. In case of dogs or cats that are poorly using the feed or very underweight, special attention should be paid to the fat content of the meat.
Content: 0.5 Liter (€33.90 / 1 Liter)
Brewers' yeast, as the most balanced, natural source of vitamin B, whose vitamins are present in a broken down state and can be absorbed directly, is a valuable addition to the daily diet. In addition, brewers yeast has a positive effect on the intestinal flora. Its content of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese, as well as the trace elements cobalt, molybdenum, chromium, and selenium, provide an important contribution to demand-oriented nutrition.
Content: 0.2 Kilogramm (€54.75 / 1 Kilogramm)
Fit-BARF Cod Liver Oil is a high-value supplier for omega-3-fatty acids and vitamin D. Omega-3-fatty acid (for example linolenic acid) are polyunsaturated fatty acids, which cannot be created itselves by the body. Thus they are called essential and must be fed to the organism with the nutrition. Vitamin D is important for the builing of the bones and the regulation of the calcium balance.
Content: 0.1 Liter (€109.50 / 1 Liter)
Calcium intake, in particular, plays a major role in the feeding of raw meat. This can only be achieved by feeding sufficient bone. Not every dog can or wants to eat bones, and in the case of cats, feeding whole prey (mice or chicks) is not always problem-free either.Fit-BARF Eggshell Powder is a readily utilizable animal source of calcium for daily feeding. It provides balance when feeding raw meat by balancing the high phosphorus content of the meat with its natural calcium content. Due to the fine degree of grinding, the product has a high bioavailability.neutralization of phosphorus excess with predominant meat feedingfor bone-free feedingas an extra source of calcium in times of increased demand (growth, gestation, lactation)
Content: 0.3 Kilogramm (€36.50 / 1 Kilogramm)
Fit-BARF Feeding Oil is a mixture of high-grated cold-pressed vegetable oils. Cold-pressed, food-grade linseed oil forms the basis of this purely natural feeding oil. This admixed functional oils (evening primrose oil, wheat germ oil, pumpkin seed oil and argan oil) ensures the optimal, well-balanced maintenance with essential fatty acids. Through this combination of pure naturally ingredients Fit-BARF Feeding Oil is a high-concentrated energy source and similarly an origin of significant vital substances of selected oils in one product.
Content: 0.1 Liter (€89.50 / 1 Liter)
Fit-BARF Fruit is made from selected ingredients to enable a well-balanced nourishment with feeding. It complements the requirement of vitamins (Niacin, Riboflavine (B2), folic acids, E, A, K, C), flavonoids (polyphenols) as well as fiber.Fit-BARF Fruit is free of grain and a healthy alternative to vegetables. It does not bring only variety, but also a balance in the BARF feeding plan. In combination with Fit-BARF MicroMineral, the basis is thus laid for healthy raw feeding.
Content: 0.1 Kilogramm (€109.50 / 1 Kilogramm)
Feed material (powder) for dogs and catsNatural source for taurine and glycosaminoglycans – for the demand-oriented provision at feeding with raw meatThe naturally very high taurine content of the greenshell mussel is a very pleasing aspect for cat owners. Cats in particular depend on a sufficient supply of this organic acid in their food, as they cannot produce taurine themselves and lose a large part of it through their excretions. Taurine is essential for cats. A deficiency can lead to severe impairments and physical damage.Fit-BARF Greenshell Mussel consists of New Zealand greenshell mussel powder (Perna canaliculus, freeze-dried, non-defatted mussel meat). In addition, the greenshell mussel provides important components of the body's own mucous membrane as a building block and can thus have a supportive effect on the functionality and elasticity of the urinary bladder and all other mucous membranes. Occasionally fed, the trace elements and vitamins contained in the greenshell mussel can have a positive effect on vitality, metabolism, nutritional imbalances and on stressed skin.Expert tip: Does your dog suffer from joint problems? Then take a look at ArthroGreen Classic. The herbal composition, proven for years, supports your beloved four-legged friend on his daily tours.Growing puppy? Here ArthroGreen Junior offers the nutrients for a safe step into the big, wide world.Composition: New Zealand greenshell mussel powder (Perna canaliculus, freeze-dried, non-defatted mussel meat) 100%Analytical constituents: crude protein 54,1%, crude fat 10,3%Feeding recommendation: Add daily to the feed. Cats: 0.5 g/5 kg body weight. Dogs: 0.5 g/10 kg body weight. 1 half tsp. corresponds to ca. 1.5 g.
Content: 0.035 Kilogramm (€455.71 / 1 Kilogramm)
