I doubt there is a dog alive who has not eaten kibble at some point in their lives. Kibble is convenient, can be low in price, provides for a dog’s nutritional needs, and can help keep a dog’s teeth clean. Most of us are familiar with kibble brands that have been around for decades, but now kibble companies are springing up all the time, which helps to provide a greater choice for dog owners. The many innovative brands of kibble also provide for food preferences of individual dogs, and any special dietary or health needs they may have.
We are all familiar with the old expression, “You are what you eat”, and this applies just as much to dogs as it does to people. People are much more health conscious than they were years ago, and our concern extends just as much to our pets as it does to ourselves. Many kibbles are now much more palatable than they were previously, and even fussy dogs will enjoy kibbles such as those made by Redbarn, Unkibble, Ollie, and others.
Even if you don’t plan on feeding your dog kibble exclusively, it might be a good idea to have an emergency supply on hand. An unopened bag of kibble can often be good for a year to a year and a half. After this length of time, the nutritional value of the kibble will go down, so if you do have a couple of bags make sure you keep an eye on the ‘sell by’ date and rotate the oldest with a new bag. Once the bag is open, it will retain its original nutritional level for about a month.
Consider Kibble a Mainstay
Whether you decide to feed your dog kibble exclusively, it would be a good idea for all dog owners to have kibble on hand. There can be times when your dog’s primary food might be unavailable. Natural disasters of all kinds occur without warning, and if an unfortunate event occurs where you live, it might be difficult or impossible to provide for food for your dog. Having a bag or two of kibble tucked away can help to make a difficult situation a bit better for you and your furry pal. The list below shows some of the best, and healthiest, kibbles available for your dog.
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Unkibble gives you a two week trial period to make sure your pooch likes the recipes. While this will automatically sign you up for subscription, you can cancel at any time, although I doubt many subscribers do!
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A Pup Above offers a great variety of recipes for dogs of all ages including puppies and dogs. Their preparation method helps preserve goodness and nutrition..
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A Pup Above ingredients are human grade, so you can be confident that your dog won’t be eating scraps and offal. The quality of what’s in your dog’s food could make a significant difference in their overall health.
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Ollie helps to make sure that your dog gets a meal plan tailored to his or her needs. You will fill in a quiz that let’s Ollie’s professionals find the best food for your pup. Your dog’s age, breed, activity level, and any health consideration will allow the best starter box to be compiled.
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yumwoof! Air-dried kibble from yumwoof! helps to assure that more of the important nutrients are locked into your dog’s dinner. Careful attention to ingredients as well as the nutritional requirements of dogs, has resulted in a premium recipes for your dog. Personalized plans are available, tailored to your dog’s needs.
If you are anything like I am, you probably put the needs of your dog right at the top of the list of priorities. One of those priorities is making sure that your dog always has food available. We live in a northern state where blizzard conditions sometimes occur, making it difficult, if not impossible, to get out to go to the store. Planning ahead a bit, as regards your dog’s food, can not only make sure that your companion will never go without a meal, but also reduce stress for you should the unexpected occur. Events beyond our control can occur at any time.
For several years before the pandemic emergency, I had been buying a little extra every time we went to the store; so the toilet paper shortage didn’t affect us at all. I had also been buying extra soap, non-perishable groceries, and other supplies. Did you find yourself caught short on some necessary items? Imagine not being able to get to the store for your dog’s favorite food or if deliveries were interrupted. If you had stashed away some extra bags of kibble from A Pup Above or Redbarn, it’s likely that your dog was able to eat without problem until restrictions were lifted.
A Long-Lasting Food Supply for Your Dog
You might be surprised to learn that an unopened bag of kibble can often be good for a year to a year and a half. After this length of time, the nutritional value of the kibble will go down, although it will generally still be edible. If you do have a couple of bags put aside, make sure you keep an eye on the ‘sell by’ date and rotate the oldest the oldest one out. The bag may be good for a year or more, but once the bag is open, it will retain its original nutritional level for about a month.
It’s not only time that can deteriorate the nutrition of kibble, and one of the biggest enemies of food value is heat. Leaving kibble bags in the sun, or in a place where the temperature is high will cause the kibble to lose value quickly. Don’t keep your extra kibble in the attic, the basement would be a much better idea. Moisture is another thief of freshness, so storing the kibble in airtight containers is also a good idea. Keeping yumwoof! kibble bags in a container is a good idea for another reason: rodents. Even the cleanest home can harbor mice, and these little creatures are always looking for a free meal. Not only will mice chew through a kibble bag, but they will also despoil it with their droppings.
Keeping kibble safe and in good nutritional shape isn’t hard, it just takes a bit of foresight and planning. You will also have satisfaction in knowing that you have provided for your dog should the unexpected occur. Having a couple of extra bags of Sundays for Dogs on the shelf is a great idea.
Pups-N-Paws is an affiliate marketing website dedicated to helping visitors find the best products for their dog. My recommendations are based on my research into various advertisers.