Dogs need a specific set of dietary requirements for basic survival and optimum health. Knowing what goes in the dog food that you purchase everyday is essential in making sure that your dog's needs are met. Aside from your dog's daily nutritional requirements, there are other factors that should be taken into consideration when selecting the right food for your dog.
Essential Nutritional Requirements
Dogs need a daily intake of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and carbohydrates. Fatty acids from protein are essential for good skin and hair. They also facilitate growth, repair of tissues, and enhance the immune system. Meat, as an ingredient in dog food, provides the protein that your dog needs and adds texture to the food. The source of protein, usually lamb or chicken, is a better gauge for nutritional adequacy rather than the percentage of protein in the diet.
Carbohydrates are an important source of energy and fiber, components that are critical in active dogs. Dog foods usually contain a percentage of carbohydrates. The percentages are calculated against the amount of protein, fat, fiber included in the dogs diet. However, too much intake of carbohydrates could lead to obesity since not all types of carbohydrate can be easily broken down in a dog's system.
Certain types of minerals address specific nutritional requirements of your pet. A healthy dose of calcium helps build bones. A supply of iron prevents anemia and ensures healthy blood condition. Phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, and other minerals are important for the dog's general health and should be included in the dog food.
A healthy food consumption ahould be combined with water intake at meals. Dogs will lose water, like us, through their natural physical routine and a suitable level needs to be maintained for their survival. Just as in food, the right amount of water that a dog needs varies with size, weight, weather condition and their activity. Apart form actually drinking water, your dog's water requirements may be obtained from ceratin foods.
Choosing the Right Dog Food
With a lot of choices in the market today, choosing the right one for your pet could be a confusing process. It is so easy to stick with a particular trusted dog food brands and just ignore other dog foods. But if the goal is to find the right one for your pet, it is best to compare what is in the dog food market.
Nutritional value ranks high in the list of criteria for pet food. It is easy to overlook balanced nutrition in comparison with flavor and taste, but it is possible to make a selection incorporating the two factors. When checking nutritional value labels, keep an eye on the fillers such as corn and wheat.
To aid in your selection, it is also important to ask for guidance from the vet or any pet healthcare expert. The age, size, and breed of the dog also help in narrowing down your selection. The nutritional requirements will depend on the breed, size and age of the animal.
