Dog Nutrition: How to Pick the Healthiest Dog Food
Every animal lover knows that dogs make wonderful pets. These fun loving creatures enrich our lives and provide companionship for many years. To ensure that your pet lives a long healthy life you have to pay careful attention to the type of food consumed. Not all dog food is healthy and picking up the first brand you see in the store just because it is on sale, could end up doing your pet serious harm! Dog food does not have the same strict regulations that food fit for human consumption must go through, so dog owners must learn how to choose healthy food that will give their dog the nutrition needed.
The Age of Your Pet
Dogs will have different dietary needs based on their age and breed. Just like a human child, a puppy develops fast and pet owners should purchase dog food specifically designed for puppies during their pets first year of life. Puppy food provides extra protein, calcium and minerals; ensuring your pet develops strong bones, teeth and muscle. As well as aiding in organ development and keeping up their energy levels. Once your pet matures they should be switched to adult dog food, as their bodies are no longer experiencing large growth spurts, the extra protein and calories found in puppy food could lead to obesity.
Dogs entering their golden years could experience a number of health conditions such as loss of teeth, arthritis or less energy. To ensure your dog maintains his health as long as possible in this stage, purchase food designed for senior dogs. This mix is specially formulated to offer fewer calories since a senior dog has a slower metabolism. It will also include increased fiber to reduce constipation.
Read the Pet Food Label
Just because a dog food brand claims to be premium does not mean it should automatically be believed. Instead, read the label. The ingredients on a dog food label are listed by weight, meaning the ingredients listed first are present in the dog food in higher concentrations. The first ingredient should be a protein source, such as chicken, lamb, beef, etc. When buying dry dog food look for meat meal, this means that even with the water removed this is still the main ingredient. Labels that state the meat, is a by-product should be avoided. A meat by-product is not the flesh of an animal; it could be any combination of feathers, hair, organs and other items not used for human consumption. It could even be a euthanized dog!
The next ingredient is typically a grain or vegetable source; though corn is most commonly used because it is cheap, it is not easily absorbed. Instead, look for white rice, potatoes, barley or whole grain. If your pet has a sensitivity to grain look for a brand which includes no grain sources. Look out for dog food containing bone meal; this could be blood, horns or even waste. Premium brands may also contain fresh ingredients and whole vegetables. Some dog foods may be preserved with chemicals and dyes, these toxic substances could be harmful to your pet’s health. Instead, look for natural preservatives such as Vitamin E and rosemary. Remember to check the food label though when choosing natural preservatives, these brands have a shorter shelf life.
Dry vs. Canned Dog Food
Pet nutritionist recommend pet owners feed their animals commercial dog food because of the difficulty in creating homemade nutritionally balanced meals. Canned dog food contains less grain and has fewer preservatives but it does not allow dogs to exercise their teeth and jaws. Dry dog food is useful at scrapping away tarter from teeth to help prevent gum disease and bad breath but can be less appetizing than the aroma, texture and flavor of canned. Many experts recommend that a mix of 2 parts dry to 1 part wet can be used to give your pet a healthy but tasty alternative.
Make sure your dog gets the food needed to keep a shiny coat, preserve joint health and stay healthy.
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