You are what you eat. This age old adage applies not only to humans but it’s also applicable to animals as well. Unless you want your dog to have a shorter lifespan and/or suffers from diseases, we all should find out and understand what to look out for when selecting balanced diet for dogs.
What Is A Balanced Diet For Dogs
A balanced diet is essential for maintaining the health and well-being of dogs. The right combination of nutrients and vitamins helps to ensure that a dog has the energy and vitality it needs to live a happy and active life. However, selecting a balanced diet for dogs can be challenging, as there are many different options available, each with its own set of pros and cons. In this essay, we will explore some of the key considerations when choosing a diet for your dog, including the importance of protein, carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids, as well as the potential risks associated with certain ingredients.
Protein is one of the most important components of a dog’s diet. This macronutrient is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue, as well as supporting the growth and development of the body’s cells. Protein is also important for maintaining the immune system and for supporting healthy skin and coat. When selecting a diet for your dog, it is important to look for high-quality protein sources, such as lean meats, fish, and eggs. These should be the primary source of protein in the diet, making up at least 25% of the total calories.
Carbohydrates are also an important component of a dog’s diet. They provide energy and help to support healthy digestion. They also help to regulate blood sugar levels and provide essential vitamins and minerals. When selecting a diet for your dog, it is important to choose complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains and vegetables, rather than simple sugars and refined carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates should make up around 30-35% of the total calories in the diet.
Essential fatty acids are also an important component of a dog’s diet. These essential fats are important for maintaining a healthy coat and skin, as well as supporting the immune system and brain function. When selecting a diet for your dog, it is important to look for sources of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, such as fish oil, flaxseed oil, and canola oil. These should make up around 10-15% of the total calories in the diet.
It is also important to be aware of the potential risks associated with certain ingredients when selecting a diet for your dog. Some ingredients, such as certain types of fillers, preservatives, and artificial colors, can be harmful to dogs and should be avoided. Additionally, some dogs may be allergic to certain types of proteins, such as chicken or beef, and may need a more limited ingredient diet.
Selecting Balanced Diet For Dogs
Whenever I go for my regular runs, I will inevitable hear people whispering “aww, how cute” in my direction. My ego gets inflated for a short while, only to realize that they were in fact commenting on my dog that’s running with me #firstworldproblems.
Ok jokes aside, but the reason why my dog can go for extended runs with me is that I feed her with food that I believe is healthy for them. Selecting balanced diet for dogs can be a daunting task as there are so many information out there, and each dog is different.
I did some extensive research online regarding selecting balanced diet for dogs, and I am going to narrow down on the types of nutrients that are apparently good for dogs, and those ingredients that I should avoid when I select their meals for them.
Top Ingredients To Look When Selecting Balanced Diet for Dogs
Meat vs Meat Meals
This should be a no-brainer. Dogs are carnivorous in nature, and forcing them to go on a pure vegan diet will be tough for them. When I choose products, I make sure that real meat and not just meals listed at the top of the list.
Now you may ask why top of the list? Well, this is because companies that produces food are subject by the law to provide a complete listing of ingredients that they have use for the making of the product, and it’s sorted by weight. So, the 1st ingredient you see would have the highest weightage as compared to the next one etc.
Whats the difference between meat and meat meals?
Essentially meat is the clean flesh that is obtained from slaughtered mammals, and it is strictly limited to meat that is found in the tongue, diaphragm, heart and esophagus. It may also include the fat and other tissue accompanying the muscle group, similar to the raw meat that are sold to humans. However, this does not include bones. The protein level for pure meat can be at a maximum of 25%.
Meat meals are essentially processed meat made from various animals. Always look at the raw content in making the meat meals to be sure of what your dog is actually consuming. It is made by a process called rendering, whereby the meat is overcooked, taking away the moisture and baking the residue. The protein level for meat meals are usually much higher at a maximum of 60-70%.
So ultimately, it is the owner’s discretion on what is best for their dogs and their intended purposes. I advocate going for pure meat as I believe in meat that is not processed at all. Those people who “inform” you that raw meat isn’t good are completely ignorant. Consuming raw meat is essentially dangerous because of Salmonella and E. Coli. However, dog’s digestive traits are more than well-equipped to counter that danger. The high acidicity of the enzymes in the dog’s system exterminates all of those before they can penetrate their bloodstream.
Grain Free Food
Another no-brainer. This is relatively simple. Dogs do not have the biological assets for grains. Also, one of the reasons why dogs are overweight now is because they are consuming too much of the said ingredient. Grain itself isn’t that bad. It’s the over consumption of it that’s painting it a dark picture.
Vegetables
When selecting balanced diet for dogs, we have to note that while vegetables are non-essential ingredients. we can add these into their diet as they are a good source of minerals and vitamins. Howevver, there are some vegetables that are dangerous for dogs. It includes Avocados, Onions, Garlics,
Fruits
Fruits too are non-essential to a dog’s diet. But perhaps when selecting balanced diet for dogs, then we can add these in too! Do note that grapes and cherries are actually poisonous to dogs, so do be mindful of this.
Conclusion
Choosing the best diet for your dog might not be the easiest. If you really want to find out more, you can read more here.