Most people are taught from a young age that nutrition is very important. People have fairly specific nutritional requirements, and while one's diet may not be perfect most healthy people make a point to at least attempt to meet those requirements. Of course, humans aren't alone in these nutritional requirements. Most animals have specific requirements as well, and while wild animals have natural diets that provide them with all the necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals, pets such as dogs are dependent on humans who provide them with all of their food. Unfortunately, many pet owners and even pet food companies don't put a lot of thought or effort into what goes into a dog's diet. For far too many people, an effective dog food is pretty much whatever a dog is willing to eat, even if that food fails to meet some of the dog's basic nutritional requirements.
Dogs actually have most of the same nutritional requirements as people, so one would imagine that making sure that a dog is eating the right foods should be relatively simple. While the recommended nutritional requirements for a dog can differ depending on factors such as the dog's age and its breed, one good way to ensure that a pet is eating well is to buy food that approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or the AAFCO. Many good and healthy pet foods carry disclaimers that state that they are approved by the AAFCO, so look for that on the packaging. A responsible pet owner will still need to take into account factors such as the dog's breed or its age and purchase the appropriate food, but looking for a disclaimer from the AAFCO is always a great place to start.
For those who want to be more active in making sure that their pets receive the most nutritious diet imaginable, there are some easy ways to make sure that a dog is eating well.
First of all, every pet should have a bowl of fresh, clean water available at all times. This water will help to transport nutrients and wastes throughout the body.
Most of the calories in a dog's food should come from protein. Protein is responsible for tissue growth, repair and overall health. Meat meal is the best source of protein in most kinds of dog food.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are very important for healthy skin and fur, and they add flavor and texture to food. A good dog food should have plenty of both of these fatty acids.
Despite the fact that dogs are carnivores, they still need at least some carbohydrates to maintain healthy digestion and bowels. These should come from from fruits, vegetables and whole grain brown rice that can be found in the best AAFCO dog foods.
The food should have plenty of vitamins and minerals. Especially important for canine health are Vitamins B and C since they are water-soluble and need to be replaced daily. Important minerals for canine health include calcium and phosphorous for healthy teeth and bones and magnesium, potassium and sodium to help maintain the body systems properly.
One more thing that is always important that many pet owners sadly disregard when feeding any pet is portion size. Dogs can overeat just like humans can, and they can suffer from the same ill health effects because of it. A responsible pet owner should make sure that a dog is not receiving portions that are too much for it. This of course depends on the breed and age of the dog, but nearly all foods have serving sizes on the packaging that should be heeded at all times.
