You have to ensure that your dog gets proper nutrition and enough for your dog’s health and well-being with the dog food that you feed him. Just like humans, dogs require a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients to thrive. The nutrients that your dog’s diet should include water, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. You can improve your dog’s lifespan and protect against health issues when you give them all the essential nutrients. Here’s a detailed look at the nutrients your dog needs:
Water – The most essential dog food
Water is crucial to everyone. A dog’s body weight comprises 60% – 70% of water. Yet, a drop of 15% of water from your dog’s body could be a fatal case. Dry dog food contains about 10% water. Canned food comprises 85% of water. Thus, you have to ensure that your dog always has access to clean and fresh water regularly.
Proteins – Vital for your dog’s growth
Proteins are vital for your dog’s growth, maintenance, reproduction, and repair. Your dog’s body itself cannot produce a sufficient amount of Amino acid. Therefore, you should provide essential amino acids to your dog through its diet. The diet must include amino acids like arginine, methionine, and lysine. Meat, fish, and eggs provide complete proteins, but dogs should avoid raw egg whites as it contain avidin, an anti-vitamin.
Carbohydrates
This nutrient is essential for your dog to have good intestinal health and reproduction. Unlike for other nutrients, there are no established guidelines for carbohydrates in the canine diet. However, fibers like beet pup helps manage chronic diarrhea in dogs.
Fats
Fats provide over twice the energy of proteins and carbohydrates. They are essential for hormone production and the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids heal inflammation. It should be in an optimal ratio of 5:1 to 10:1. The adequate ratio of fats can be achieved through specially formulated foods. A homemade diet does not give adequate fats and it is difficult to measure whether the required amount is added to your canine’s diet. So, you can derive maximum benefits by giving your doggy formulated food.
Vitamins
Vitamins support your dog’s normal metabolic functioning. Yet, your dog should get vitamins in small amounts for metabolic function. Most vitamins must be consumed through diet. However, if you give your dog a complete and balanced diet, vitamin supplements are not necessary. However, excessive vitamin intake (hypervitaminosis) can cause health issues such as brittle bones and joint calcification or soft tissue calcification.
Minerals
Your dog needs minerals to have robust bone and teeth structure, to have fluid balance, and metabolic functions. You should ensure that your dog receives a balanced intake of essential minerals for overall health.
Providing your dog with these essential nutrients can help them lead a healthy and active life. In case of emergency or if you want the dietary changes that should be made to your dog, you should not hesitate to consult with your veterinarian to tailor a diet that meets your dog’s specific needs. Hence, you can find different types of dog food as per your dog’s dietary requirements.
If you wish to expand your knowledge of their nutrients, you may refer to the following links too: Dog Nutrition: Essential Nutrients for Health and Feeding Basics