Dry Dog Food FAQs
Got a question about dry dog food nutrition, high protein dog food or high fibre dog food? To help you understand more about what to consider when choosing premium kibble, we’ve put together some really useful answers from our nutrition team at Burgess, the pet care experts.
What type of nutrition do dogs need?
The healthiest dog food should provide the correct number of calories, dietary components and balance of nutrients for a dog’s size, life stage and lifestyle. A high-quality dry dog food will contain easily digestible protein, fat and carbohydrate. It should also include vitamins and minerals such as zinc, to support skin and coat health, and calcium to support healthy teeth and bones.
Dogs also need a little bit of fibre in their diet to help maintain a healthy gut. Pea fibre and wholegrain cereals are examples of fibre you may find in your dog’s food. As well as fibre, small quantities of fish oil is great for your dog’s skin and coat condition.
Your dog should get everything they need from their food – and a high quality, complete dry dog food, such as kibble, will provide this.
How is kibble dog food made?
Kibble can be made via two manufacturing processes – either by cold-pressed extrusion, or thermal extrusion. Cold pressed kibble or nuggets are made at lower temperatures using high pressure to bind the ingredients together. Nuggets made via thermal extrusion are cooked at higher temperatures.
At Burgess, all of our kibble for dogs is made using thermal extrusion. The process involves grinding down a range of quality ingredients into a fine flour and mixing them together.
We then add steam and water to create a soft mixture which can be pushed through an extruder, where it’s cooked, and then through a die plate to form the kibble shape. The freshly pressed kibbles are then dried, cooled and packaged.
What are the benefits of thermal extrusion kibble dog food?
Producing dry dog food via thermal extrusion has a number of benefits, including providing protection against harmful bacteria or viruses. The temperatures reached during the thorough cooking process ensure that any harmful bacteria, such as salmonella, and viruses are destroyed.
The formulations Burgess uses are designed to ensure that our dog food nuggets contain the right level of nutrients after processing.
What range of dog food kibble do you provide?
At Burgess, we’ve created a range of premium dog food recipes using quality ingredients including chicken, salmon, lamb, turkey and beef. There’s something tasty for every dog, to help keep them happy and healthy throughout their life – from puppy, to adult and senior.
What if my dog has specific nutritional needs?
We’ve also developed kibble dog foods to meet the nutritional needs of working and sporting dogs, Greyhounds and Lurchers and dogs with sensitive stomachs as well as a light variety for dogs who need to lose weight or are less mobile.
And we’re very proud of our Paul O’Grady’s ‘No Nasties’ dog food range, which comes in Hypoallergenic and Grain Free varieties, so you’re sure to find a recipe that’s just right for your canine chum.
How often should I feed my dog?
When feeding a complete dry dog food, split your dog’s daily portion into two or three servings, given throughout the day, ensuring they have plenty of fresh water too. You’ll be able to find detailed feeding instructions on the back of food packs. Remember to take treats into account when working out your dog’s portion sizes.
Order online and have your Burgess Dog food delivered straight to your door.
Order online dog food from the Burgess Sensitive Dog food range and save 10% with Subscribe & Save.