Let's face it, you probably love your dog more than pretty much anything else in your life. A loyal companion, an intelligent bundle of joy, the wrath of your slippers and the destroyer of carpets, your pup is more than a family member. He’s your best friend, and since you are reading this post, you are likely looking for ways to keep him around for many years to come.

Dogs are the most popular type of pet in Australia, being present in no less than 49.3% of Aussie households, and for many people, they are the reason why life has meaning and days have the potential to get brighter. But they are not exactly cheap to own. Australian dog owners spend an average of $2,520 per year on their fluffballs, but with old age and problems caused by poor nutrition in their formative years, these costs can skyrocket.

Not Taking Nutrition Seriously Can Have Consequences

Do you want to minimise the costs associated with dog ownership and keep your pup free from degenerative diseases associated with a poor diet or improper kibble? Then, you will need to invest in high-quality brands such as Taste of the Wild. The consequences of low-quality dog food and improper pet supplies near me are not exactly pleasant to look at.

One of my best buddies, for instance, used to buy all his kibble from ALDI’s discount section. That was until his pup developed pancreatitis due to the inconsistent fat levels in the kibble that he was fed. Now, he spends around $200 per month on veterinarian-approved pancreatic enzyme supplements. And for what, a couple of extra dollars saved? It wasn’t worth it then, and it isn’t worth it now.

Why Choose Premium Brands Like Taste of the Wild?

It’s a matter of ingredients’ quality, available resources and the company’s reputation. Premium brands such as Taste of the Wild formulate their recipes according to standards imposed by AAFCO, FEDIAF or the Pet Food Association of Australia. Their blends provide the right balance of proteins, healthy fats, minerals, and carbs for the proper physical and behavioural development of dogs at different stages in their life cycle.

Top brands have the most to lose if something is not up to par with the quality of the kibble, and because of this, they invest billions in securing access to high-quality protein sources and creating formulas that result in greater digestibility and better weight management for our pets.

Sure, a budget brand doesn’t necessarily have to be lower in quality than a premium one. But money talks, and oftentimes, high-quality brands such as Taste of the Wild or Purina are less likely to feature harmful additives in the composition of the kibble and make use of fillers with a lower-than-average nutritional benefit.

Why Taste of the Wild Specifically?

Well, product preferences are subjective, so for this section I will talk about my personal reasons for considering this brand. Most kibble formulas available on the market are rich in proteins from sources such as veal or chicken, which is not exactly ideal, as some dogs develop an allergy to them. TOTW formulas, however, feature real meat of fish and game as the primary ingredient, which often provides a richer amino acid profile than the kibble offered by other Australian-present brands.

TOTW dry dog formulas are supplemented with proprietary probiotic strains, which help with digestive strain and are scientifically known to help with allergies. Plus, they are rich in chelated minerals, they provide one of the highest percentages of Omega fatty acids on the market, and they are available anywhere, from local shops that sell pet supplies near me, to online shops with thousands of visitors per hour.

Can TOTW Formulas Help Food-Sensitive Dogs?

Yes, and I actually have a personal anecdote to share for this section. My gf’s dog, a Yorkshire terrier which has now reached the venerable age of fourteen, was always, for some reason, plagued by intense food allergies that eventually led to itchy rashes and Malassezia breakouts. We know it’s food allergy-related because it always happens the moment we try to switch his kibble and/or give him new treats.

For years, nothing really worked for him, and we spent probably thousands of dollars on special shampoos and skin treatments that only brought temporary relief, not fix the issue itself. That was until we tried TOTW. The formulas used by TOTW are a bit different from those of competitors, as they often feature meat proteins from novel sources. Since most dogs have never come into contact with bison or salmon, TOTW kibble is likely to cause allergic reactions in sensitive dogs.

Moreover, since much of the immune response we currently associate with dog allergies is thought to be caused by improper gut biomes, the probiotics found in TOTW products are thought to contribute to a balanced immune response. It’s a combination of things, but ultimately the result is self-evident. For most dogs that suffer from sensitivity to common allergens such as chicken protein, TOTW products are a fantastic choice.