Decoding the Bowl: A Deep Dive into Essential, Elite, and Raw Dog Food Options

Decoding the Bowl: A Deep Dive into Essential, Elite, and Raw Dog Food Options

By Stephanie Clark, Ph.D., CVT

Choosing the right food for your dog is a crucial decision. The food you choose can impact your pet's health, energy level, and overall well-being. With what seems like an unending list of options available, navigating the world of dog food can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We'll dissect three types of dog food offered by Team Dog- Essential, Elite, and Raw - to help you understand their differences and make an informed choice.

1. Team Dog Essential Blend: Balanced Daily Nutrition
The Team Dog Essential Blend Premium Dog Food is designed to provide balanced, everyday nutrition for dogs of all life stages. This premium kibble is formulated to provide a balanced blend of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. The Essentials Blend is great for puppies, all the way to senior dogs, with moderate protein and fat amounts to ensure that dogs are not getting too many calories, which can lead to obesity. 

The formulas contain salmon oil, rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, specifically, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are needed for puppy development as well as cognitive function for adult and senior dogs. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon oil also contribute to healthy skin and a shiny coat, as well as joint support, which is very important in senior dogs. Diets also contain added taurine to support heart health. With healthy digestion in mind, these formulas contain a healthy balance of insoluble and soluble fiber, prebiotic fibers, and probiotics, as well as highly digestible egg protein. This option is suitable for dogs with moderate activity levels, including family pets and companion dogs. It's a good choice for owners seeking a balanced, premium kibble.

2. Team Dog Elite Blend: High-Performance Nutrition
The Team Dog Elite Blend Premium Dog Food is designed for active dogs, focusing on providing high-quality, balanced nutrition to support their demanding lifestyles, such as working and law enforcement dogs and sporting dogs. Team Elite Blend Premium Dog Food is also great for dogs with difficulty gaining or maintaining body condition. This premium kibble is formulated to deliver animal-sourced protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals. It is designed to support muscle development, energy levels, and overall performance by having a higher amount of protein in the formula as well as fat. 

These formulas are made with meat meals that deliver concentrated protein and egg, which is a reference protein, meaning it is essentially 100% digestible – maximizing protein digestion. 

In addition, the Elite Blend formulas are also packed with fiber sources such as oats, lentils, millet, and beet pulp, which support healthy digestion by feeding the beneficial bacteria in the gut, which are also in the formula. The probiotic strains added to the formula are Bacillus spp., which are great for supporting a healthy gut and are known for their survival in the manufacturing process, ensuring the dog gets viable strains. Keeping the gut healthy can promote performance as well as mental health. This option is ideal for active and working dogs or dogs participating in sports and training. 

3. Team Dog Raw: Back to Basics
The Team Dog Raw Dog Food represents a return to a more ancestral diet for our dogs. This approach centers on providing dogs with unprocessed ingredients, with meat first. Team Dog Raw Dog Food is minimally processed raw beef, including muscle meat, organs, and crushed bone. It aims to mimic the diet of wild canines, emphasizing whole, unprocessed ingredients. This blend provides a natural source of vitamins and minerals from organ meats and a natural source of calcium and phosphorus from crushed bones, which are needed in a dog’s daily diet. Team Dog promotes a 75% dry and 25% raw blended diet, as research has shown that incorporating at least 20% raw food into your dog’s diet can help reduce allergies and skin conditions later in life. Remove the guesswork of trying to balance your dog’s diet; these have been carefully formulated to meet AAFCO requirements when served as a 75/25 mix.

Raw food is rising in demand and has been shown to have a higher digestibility than kibble and dry diets. Handling and hygiene are paramount when dealing with raw meat. Proper storage, thawing, and cleaning are essential in minimizing the potential for bacterial contamination. To minimize the risk of bacterial contamination, always thaw raw food in the refrigerator, clean surfaces thoroughly, and wash your hands after handling. Consider visiting resources like the FDA website for more detailed guidelines on safe raw food handling. With that in mind, blending Team Dog Raw with Team Dog Essential can be a great option for owners who are committed to meticulous food handling and understand canine nutrition. Additionally, this can be a good option for people whose dogs have allergies to common ingredients used in other types of pet food.

Making the Right Choice:
Ultimately, the best dog food depends on your dog's individual needs, activity level, age, and health status.

  • Consider your dog's activity level: Active dogs require more protein and calories than sedentary dogs.
  • Consider your dog's health: Dogs with specific health conditions may require a specialized diet.
  • Consider your lifestyle: Different formats, such as raw, may require more effort and diligence in cleaning and containing bacterial contamination. 

By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and provide your dog with the nutrition they need to thrive.