Is Kibble Good for Dogs?
Kibble, otherwise known as dry food, is a popular dog food choice. It’s also a practical choice. Often more reasonably priced than similar amounts of other forms like canned, fresh or raw dog food, it can be bought in larger quantities, doesn’t require refrigeration and can maintain freshness for longer after opening.
While these qualities certainly make kibble appealing, the question some pet owners have still remains: Is dry kibble good for dogs?
Dental Benefits of Kibble for Dogs
One of the top health benefits of kibble lies in its dry form and coarse surface, which can help remove plaque from dogs’ teeth. Daily teeth cleaning is recommended for dogs, but since daily brushing can be a challenge for dog owners, dry kibble can help.
Plaque needs to be regularly removed from dogs’ teeth because it can calcify within 3 days, and can contribute to further dental and gum problems. A daily diet of dry kibble can also keep new plaque, and resulting tartar, from forming.
Kibble Can Be a Handy Treat
Dry kibble can also fill the role of a nutritious treat, making it easy to train or reward your dog while still aligning with their diet. When treating with kibble, remember that you can give your dog too much of a good thing. So keep their daily food serving size in mind to avoid overfeeding.
Other Nutritional Benefits of Kibble
A complete and balanced dry kibble food blend should provide all of the daily nutrition that healthy adult dogs need, including ingredients required by USDA regulations:
- Proteins such as beef, poultry, fish and eggs
- Fats
- Fibers
- Carbohydrates
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- Antioxidants
Because dry kibble contains only 5 to 12 percent moisture, it’s especially important to provide your dog with fresh water to keep them hydrated.
An easy way to ensure that your dog gets all the nutrition they need from a dry kibble food is to create a Just Right personalized blend. It takes only a few minutes, and your blend will be delivered to your door, complete with feeding instructions unique to your dog.
