Dogs have lived with us for over 15, 000 years, but it was only in the mid-1800’s that the first food specifically designed for dogs was invented. Even then, it wasn’t until after the Second World War that the dog food industry started its ascent towards the multi-billion dollar colossus that it is today.

So how did dogs survive before then? Well, for most of their years as human companions they had to make their own way, begging, hunting, or stealing what they could. A common belief was that this made them better hunters and guard dogs.

As dogs began to become more integral to the human family, they started to be fed more regular meals by their guardians. But these would have mainly been scraps from the table or the kitchen.

As people became have interested in canine health, care and nutrition there has been a plethora of magazines, TV programs and websites providing information on these subjects.

We’ve seen the introduction of specialized, size specific, breed specific and age specific canine diets, as well as things like the BARF diet. Small wonder the average pet owner is confused about what to feed his dog.

So what is the best dog food?

That depends on who you’re listening to. Many experts insist that premium brand dry kibble is the way to go, others are equally adamant that dog’s should be fed raw meat, while still others would never feed their dogs anything but a home cooked meal.

The truth is that all of these are okay, provided there is balance in the diet. As omnivores dogs need to eat both meat and vegetables. Raw food diets recognize this and quality dog food companies incorporate it into their ingredients. And even If you’re going the home cooked route, you’ll need to take this into account.

Strive for a three way split between meat, veggies and fiber. But if you’re going to err in any direction, feed a higher percentage of meat.

Cooking for your dog and shopping for fresh foods are time consuming. But even if, like most of us, you are “time poor”, you can still feed your dog a balanced, healthy diet. Simply speak to your vet about the best premium or super premium dog food brand for your dog.

Be sure to pick the right variety, whether puppy, senior, diet, large breed, small breed etc. There are even variants that are specially formulated for specific breeds.

Two definite no-nos are feeding your dog table scraps, and feeding him a cheap brand of kibble.

Most of the brands you find on the supermarket shelves fall into this category. They often have grain as their primary component and are therefore lacking in the nutrients needed in a healthy canine diet. There is also evidence to suggest that some of the colorings and preservatives used may be behind a whole catalog of ailments and diseases.

You should also avoid feeding your dog table scraps. Human food is generally not good for a dog as it is high in fat and may contain harmful ingredients like garlic or onions. A dog that is regularly fed from the table is also likely to become a habitual beggar.

Find out more about best dog food, dog care, dog training and other useful dog info at dogsanddogtraining.com