When my husband and I told our friends that we were on the hunt for a golden retriever puppy, many were shocked: “You have a baby! It will be too much work!”
But ever since moving into our home just before our son's birth, we'd stared at our empty backyard wondering when we'd finally find a furry friend to make it feel like a real home.
So when we heard about a 10-week-old goldie who needed a home the next day, we went straight to collect him – swinging by the pet store for a bed, bowl and lead on the way home – and Frank has been a loveable part of our family ever since.
Sure, it was wild at times, with the puppy body slamming the crawling baby, chewing his toys and stealing his rusks – not to mention the tag-team nightly wake-ups – but the cuteness overload more than made up for it as they became firm best friends.
And what I was quick to discover was that while the puppy needed regular walks and puppy school attendance – he required about a quarter of the mental load of baby wrangling thanks mostly to the fact I knew I didn't have to stress about his diet.
Starting a baby on solids was a blur of pureeing and steaming and online searches, but it was a great relief knowing that the right kind of formulated puppy kibble was far better for Frank than anything I could cook.
Of course, there is a huge spectrum of dog foods on the market, so the trick is understanding the label so you can have peace of mind that your pup is getting the nutrition they deserve (with minimal meal prepping from you). Here's how.
1. Find a fixed recipe
Ingredient ambiguity is a red flag for poor quality when it comes to dog food – you want a clear list with meat as the main ingredient, and fibre sourced from vegetables.
Steer clear of products that say things like “animal by-product” or “vegetable derivatives” or list a number of different meats, such as “lamb or beef or chicken” because it's not going to be consistent product, which can mean yo-yo energy levels, messy stools, and ultimately, a less-happy dog.
2. Vet-approved formulas
My rule of thumb is that if I'm ever in doubt about a decision for my dog, I look to the experts.
Products like VitaPet have been developed with pet nutritionists and vets, so you know you're getting something that's specially formulated for a dog's nutritional needs.
That means the puppy food formulation is different to the adult dog food for example, so that their specific energy needs, developmental brain and joint requirements are catered for at each age and stage.
VitaPet dog food contains fish oil, zinc and biotin to promote a healthy, shiny coat, and yucca extract which effectively traps ammonia to help reduce odour in stools so it's very much a comprehensive food offering.
3. Leading, delicious flavours
Just like we humans savour a delicious meal, we want our pets to enjoy what they're chowing down.
Looking for products that use select ingredients which deliver on taste is a good way of knowing they're getting maximum flavour, and truly enjoying their needs.
VitaPet, for instance, is cooked and packaged at a state-of-the-art facility in Parks NSW, using modern technology that increases palatability and flavour in their foods.
The result? A happy, well-fed pup whose biggest concern is where their next pat is coming from.
With real, Australian ingredients and vet-approved formulas, VitaPet makes it easy to feed your dog a balanced, delicious and nutritious meal. VitaPet dog food is available in Coles and Woolworths supermarkets and online nationally.
