19/06/202419/06/2024 Understanding Dog Nutrition for Better Health Dogs may be our best friends, but their nutritional needs differ greatly from humans. Feeding your pup the right diet is crucial for their overall health, energy levels, longevity, and quality of life. Nutrient Breakdown Just like people, dogs require certain essential nutrients in their daily diet to function properly. These include: Proteins: Proteins provide amino acids, which are the building blocks for muscles, organs, enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. Since dogs are omnivores that tend more towards the carnivore end of the spectrum, a high-quality meat-based protein should make up the largest portion of their diet. Fats: Fats serve as a highly concentrated energy source to fuel an active lifestyle. They also aid in nutrient absorption, insulation, and healthy skin and coat condition. Healthy fats come from animal sources like chicken fat, fish oil, or plant-based oils like canola. Carbohydrates: Despite some low-carb diet trends for dogs, carbohydrates have a prominent place in a balanced canine diet. They provide energy, fiber for healthy digestion, and beneficial antioxidants when sourced from whole food ingredients like sweet potatoes, oats, brown rice, and fruits/veggies. Vitamins & Minerals: From vitamin A for vision and immunity to calcium for strong bones and teeth, vitamins and minerals play many vital roles. Quality dog foods contain all the essential micronutrients dogs need in carefully balanced amounts. The Importance of Feeding Guidelines Commercial dog food packaging provides helpful feeding guidelines based on factors like your pup’s age, weight, body condition, and activity level. Following these portion recommendations helps ensure they get the right number of calories and the proper ratio of nutrients each day. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, while underfeeding can cause dangerous nutrient deficiencies. Life Stage Needs A growing puppy’s nutritional needs differ vastly from an adult or senior dog’s. Puppy formulas provide the extra protein, fat, calories, calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients demanded by their rapid growth and development stages. As dogs age into adulthood and then the senior years, their nutritional profile should shift accordingly. For puppies: Higher levels of calories, protein, and nutrients. For adults: Moderate maintenance levels of calories and nutrients. For seniors: Fewer calories, plus nutrients for joint support and aging. Sensitive Stomach Solutions Some dogs suffer from food allergies, sensitivities, or other chronic digestive issues that require a special diet. According to the experts over at Nextrition, the best dog food for sensitive stomach and diarrhea will feature highly digestible novel proteins and a limited number of ingredients. Common options are: Novel proteins like duck, bison, or salmon rather than common allergens. Formulas with prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber sources for gut health. Grain-free recipes for dogs with gluten/grain intolerances. Highly palatable and appetizing formulas to encourage eating. Low-fat diets for dogs with pancreatic issues. Hydration is Key Like any mammal, dogs need constant access to fresh, clean water. Staying properly hydrated aids everything from digestion and nutrient absorption to cognitive function, energy levels and kidney health. Wet canned foods can also contribute some moisture to their overall diet. A Well-Balanced Diet In an ideal world, your pup’s complete and balanced diet would include: A whole, high-quality animal protein source as the first ingredient. Moderate amounts of healthy animal or plant-based fats. Nutrient-dense complex carbs from whole food sources. Added vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fatty acids. No vague “meat meals”, byproduct meals or artificial preservatives. An appropriate calorie and nutrient level for their life stage. Conclusion With the right nutritious diet formulated for your dog’s specific needs, plus guidance from your veterinarian, you can help your furry family member maintain their health, energy, happiness, and quality of life for many years to come. Proper nutrition is the foundation for lifelong vitality. Pets Food