Dogs require more than just some kibbles in a bowl; an appropriate diet provides energy and supports the growth and development of your dog, as well as supporting all of the benefits related to having a healthy body. New dog owners can often feel overwhelmed by all of the different options available to them. There is kibble (packaged), there is homemade fresh made dog food, as well as other forms of feeding your pet.
If dog owners have an understanding of what makes up a balanced diet, it will make a huge difference in the manner in which dogs will grow and stay healthy.
Importance of Proper Nutrition for Dogs
Proper nourishment is one of the major factors preventing dogs from getting sick as they get older and the AKC has found in their studies that animals fed properly as puppies are less likely to develop chronic disease as adults than those who are not given sufficient quality food while growing up. A dog’s diet must consist of not only what nutrients the dog needs, but how the nutrients are balanced.
The nutrient balance will be achieved using the correct amount of the nutrients being given according to each dog’s individual age, size, and activity levels. If a dog receives adequate food but does not receive a proper balance of the nutrients required to exist in a healthy state, they could suffer from either nutrient deficiencies or excessive amounts of the same nutrients throughout his/her life.
Long-Term Impact of Poor Diet
If you do not see any results from poor nutrition right away, your dog may end up with long-term health issues which will be harder to treat than if you had cared for your dog’s diet at an early age.
Benefits of a Balanced Diet
A properly balanced diet has many advantages in terms of your dog’s overall health. A balanced diet has positive effects on not only your dog’s physical well-being, but also on his/her behaviour and mood.
Key Advantages
- Strong Bones and Muscles
- Better Digestion and Nutrient Absorption
- Improved Shine and Condition of Coat and Skin
Essential Nutrients for Dogs
Carbohydrates can be a little confusing; however, when they are fed in proportion to proteins and fats, carbohydrates provide a quick source of energy. All vitamins and minerals are important nutrients that help all body systems function properly, including but not limited to the immune system.
The National Research Council and the Association of American Feed Control Officials define the nutritional requirements of dogs throughout their lives.
Protein and Its Role
Protein plays an important role in the diet of dogs and is one of the essential nutrients found in the diet. Protein consists of amino acids which are used by the body to create muscle and tissue and to produce enzymes.
Most of the protein in a balanced diet for your dog will come from animal products such as chicken, fish or eggs.
Vitamins and Minerals
- The minerals which help make bone strong are calcium and phosphorus; while the vitamins A and E help with eyesight and maintaining a healthy immune system.
- Calcium is responsible for building the bones Iron carries oxygen
- Vitamin A is good for your eyes Zinc helps skin condition
Commercial vs Homemade Dog Food
The decision of what type of Diet to provide for your pet usually is determined by whether you were able to plan an adequate Diet for your pet prior to purchasing or going on to make a home–made food; if you have planned adequately, most home–made diets can provide the same nutritional content as most commercially produced Pet Foods.
However, a homemade diet requires the owner to spend time planning a balanced meal; whereas commercially manufactured dog food is manufactured to meet the established nutritional guidelines of regulatory bodies, therefore, commercially manufactured food would be an easier feeding option for the pet owner.
Popular Dog Food Brands
Example of new brands of dog food, such as Royal Canin, Pedigree, and Hill’s Science Diet, have been developed based upon the established framework of the governing bodies.
All three brands of commercially manufactured dog food are formulated to provide balanced nutrition for their pet owners without requiring the owner’s time to plan the meal.
Advantages of Commercial Food
- Pre-packaged dog food is quick and easy to find, nutritionally balanced and the quantity you will need is easy to determine.
- With the added benefit of the expertise of the majority of brands, they take the guesswork out of feeding your dog.
- It is also very easy to store and has an extended shelf life.
Understanding Dog Food Labels
Being informed about what is on the label of the pet food is very important; this will give you the information you need on the individual ingredients, how it was made and how much you should feed and how much nutrition the food contains.
You can quickly determine the quality of the dog food you are looking at by looking for high quality in the primary ingredients (Real meat and whole grains are considered to be high quality).
Certification and Standards
The labels will also tell you how the dog food meets the established guidelines for compliance with the National Animal Feed Regulatory Officials (NAFRO); verifying the certification of the dog food you want to buy will give a good indication of the nutrition of that product.
Feeding Schedule and Portion Control
Following a daily feeding schedule ensures that nutrients are delivered to your dog but there isn’t overfeeding. The correct portion for your dog will depend on many factors including: (1) The dog’s age, (2) The dog’s weight, (3) The breed of dog, and (4) The dog’s activity level.
Puppies will require more feeding times than adult dogs who appreciate a more established feeding schedule. The guidelines established by organizations like the American Kennel Club will give you a general idea of the range in portion sizes you can feed your dog based on the above four factors; however, in many cases, adjustments will be necessary to accommodate your dog’s individual needs.
Puppy Feeding Frequency
Puppies however may require three to four small feedings per day.
Signs of Overfeeding and Underfeeding
Symptoms of overeating consist of gradual weight gain, decrease in your dog’s activity level, and the experience of additional stress on your dog’s joints; while under-eating can result in the loss of energy and the gradual loss of weight for an extended period of time (that is not in line with weight loss goals).
Common Symptoms
- Symptoms of Weight Gain or Obesity Low Energy / Weakness
- Visible wight locations (i.e. Ribs)
You can lead your dog to develop an illness if eating food that is very significant to their health is not done immediately.
Supplements and Hydration
Importance of supplements and hydration. Although some dogs may need additional vitamins or minerals, dogs that are given unnecessary supplements may end up with an imbalance in the quantity of vitamins and/or minerals they have ingested.
In general, an average diet usually provides most of the nutrients needed, in which case, no supplemental product is needed.
Monitoring Your Dog’s Health Through Diet
How To Monitor Your Dog’s Health Using Their Diet. Any of these signs undergo rapid change can be due to poor nutrition or may indicate another medical issue.
The visual aspect of a dog’s health is often due to how well his/her diet is meeting his/her nutritional needs. A dog that receives the proper nutrition typically has a well-groomed appearance (shiny coat), with clear eyes and is within the ideal body weight range.
Observation and Awareness
By making a conscious effort to frequently observe your dog’s physical appearance, you will be able to see minute changes earlier than if you were not aware of the way he/she looked. When you create an awareness of your dog’s physical body, you will assist in the ongoing management of his/her long-term health.
When to Reassess Your Dog’s Diet
Your dog’s dietary needs may change throughout his/her life as a result of age as well as through other factors such as health problems and increased/decreased level of activity. You should conduct assessments regularly (at least bi-annually), to determine if the diet you are feeding your dog is able to continue to meet his/her nutritional needs.
Indicators for Diet Reassessment
- Weight change, Loss of appetite
- Poor condition of coat and skin Little or no energy
- Problems with digestive tract
Conclusion
Not only do recognized professional organizations (American Veterinary Medical Association and National Research Council) promote a structured nutritional program for animal health, but by providing quality ingredients and safe feeding practices, and using ongoing assessments, you give your dog a greater chance of long-term health without relying on guesswork.
