To keep your dog healthy, you really need to look at the dog food you are feeding. You need to understand a dog’s particular nutritional requirements and how to address them.
Your dog needs certain essential nutrients to grow and thrive. Without these nutrients, your dog is more likely to have many health and allergy problems. It can even lead to stunted growth and a shorter lifespan.
All animals need five basic nutrients to survive: protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Without the proper balance of these five nutrients, they can provide the different functions necessary to sustain the health and well-being of your pet.
Proteins are the building blocks of your dog’s health. Proteins consist of amino acids and are necessary in an animal’s diet since animals cannot synthesize all the amino acids they need – they must obtain essential amino acids from their food.
When choosing dog foods, ensure there is an adequate amount of protein to keep your dogs healthy. And the majority of the protein source needs to be from an animal source, not grain. But too much protein, however, can cause obesity as excess protein is converted to fat.
Fats are as necessary for dogs as humans. Most people don’t think about the fat content, or the kind of fat, that is in their dog’s food. But without the correct kinds and amounts, your dog will suffer. Fats are needed for a healthy skin and coat, proper kidney function, and to transport the fat-soluble vitamins to cells. But just like with proteins, too much can cause problems, such as obesity.
Carbohydrates are your dog’s main energy source. But like fats, not all carbs are created equal – at least in your dog food. Look for dog foods that have whole grains, not by-products of the grain, as these contain less of the necessary nutrients that your dog needs. Certain grains, such as corn, soy, and wheat, are common sources of carbs in your dog food and also common allergy triggers.
Vitamins and Minerals are needed to keep your dog healthy and almost all dog foods have added in vitamins and minerals. However, what most people don’t realize is that the quality and quantity of these diminish as soon as the bag of dog food is opened. Specially formulated vitamin supplements are available for your dog and will ensure they get all the elemental vitamins and minerals needed for optimal health.
Just like with humans, dogs need a balanced diet – the correct ratio of proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals. And it is up to you to make sure his dog food is healthy. To learn more about healthy dog foods and how to read dog food ingredients, visit the Healthy Dog Food blog – helping you learn how to keep your dog healthy through nutrition.
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