Taking a few minutes to make some wise dog food comparisons could make a big difference to your pooch and your pocketbook. There are three main types on the market: dry, canned and semi-moist. Let's take a peek at what you're getting with each one.

Dry Dog Food--aka Kibble

Kibble is another term for any dry dog food that comes in a bag, including meal, chunks, bits or cubes. There are many brands, styles and flavors available. Top quality dog food brands are nutritionally balanced to meet the needs of your dog at every stage of his life. Ask your vet for his recommendation of the best dry dog food for your pooch.

Dog food comparisons point out several advantages of feeding kibble:

* The scraping, cleaning action against your dog's teeth help decrease plaque and tartar buildup.

* Crunching on hard kibble provides exercise for your dog's chewing muscles.

* It's the cheapest, best balanced, easiest to store type of ready-made food you can buy for your pooch.

If you go this route, make sure you provide plenty of fresh drinking water at all times. Keep the kibble in a clean, dry place. Storing it in a metal or plastic container with a cover will help keep it fresh longer.

What About Canned Dog Food?

While canned food isn't necessarily "bad" for dogs, you need to keep in mind that you're basically paying for 70 percent water. That's OK if you have trouble getting your dog to drink enough water.

But if his main diet consists of canned food, he'll have a greater tendency to develop plaque buildup on his teeth, as well as gum disease. That's because he's missing out on the great scraping action that dry dog food would provide.

Adding a bit of canned dog food to kibble can help a finicky eater chow down. And putting a lump of canned food on a plate would make a fun, tasty "birthday cake" for your special friend. But in general, he'd be better off with a regular diet of crunchy kibble.

What is Semi-Moist Dog Food?

This category includes fake beef cubes, fake burgers, and whatever else the marketing people dream up. These tasty morsels are loaded with sugar and chemical additives. While they're handy in a pinch when you're traveling, or for an occasional tasty treat, they don't provide your pooch with the nutritional benefits of good quality kibble.

Make Dog Food Comparisons Wisely

While researching your options, consider your dog's nutritional needs, your lifestyle, and your budget. Bring your vet into the discussion to help you decide what's best for your furry friend. Fido will thank you with a lifetime of good health and loving companionship.