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" A visit to the grocery or pet store can be overwhelming. There are dozens of different brands of dog food, and each seems to offer dozens of choices. Do you want wet or dry? Chunky or smooth? Chicken or beef flavor? Or perhaps seafood? Even worse, there are different sizes of kibble for different dogs. Choosing the right one can be tricky, which is why we&amp;#039;ve rounded up the below tips on picking the right food for your canine.   Food for small dogs Generally, dog food size is proportionate to the size of the animal. Smaller dogs need smaller pieces to chew and digest it properly. If you give a small animal pellets that are too small, they might choke on each morsel as they try to bolt it down. However, this can vary from one canine to another. In most cases, food for pooches under 25 pounds should be about half the size of a kernel of corn. When you pour it into the bowl, it might seem as though you are feeding your dog too much because pellets this size tend to clump together. However, you should be safe following the guidelines on the back of the bag.   Food for large dogs Large animals are a different story. Their jaws are more powerful and they are able to swallow larger pieces of food without causing digestive distress or clogs in the back of the throat. Kibble for dogs over 50 pounds is often the size of a penny in diameter, though slightly smaller bits are usually not dangerous. As large dogs get older, it might be necessary to purchase food that is smaller in size. Their teeth become brittle and they might have difficulty swallowing large pieces, so pay attention to how long it takes your dog to eat and make adjustments as necessary.   Food for medium dogs If your dog falls somewhere in the middle, you&amp;#039;ll need to find a middle-grade kibble to feed him. It might be necessary to try several different brands and sizes until you find one that he prefers, but don&amp;#039;t stress too much over whether the pellets are too large. Young dogs can crunch their kibble into smaller pieces, and are surprisingly adept at making their own adjustments.   Dogs that bolt Some dogs have trouble eating dry food because they eat too fast, bolting down the pellets without chewing them. This can lead to stomach aches, ulcers and even ruptures in the stomach, and cause constipation if it happens on a regular basis. If your pooch tends to bolt his dog food, you can mix dry with wet food, or wet the kibble before giving it to him. This will soften the pellets and make it easier for him to digest his meal, even if he does tend to wolf it down.   Many dog owners agonize about the right type of food to buy, but there is very little on the market that will cause your pet harm in the short term. If you&amp;#039;re having trouble finding a happy medium, or if your dog changes his eating habits suddenly, ask your veterinarian for advice right away. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/pet-care/a3918/choosing-a-dog-food-does-kibble-size-matter-78276/?src=shelter_footer>