Ah dogs! Our best friends. It is amazing to see the unconditional, pure love dogs have for each other. Dogs can be so much fun to play and run with or just hang out with. Although we could write long letters of love to dogs, our cats might be jealous. We will instead write a guide for dog lovers to help them understand the best way to feed their pet to keep him happy and healthy.
We believe that choosing the right food for your dog is as easy as learning how to properly feed yourself. You don’t have to worry, we’ve got you covered. Continue reading to learn more about feeding your dog.
Find out their nutritional requirements
It is important to first understand the basics of dog food nutrition. See more at: korme.lt/
Amino Acids, & Fatty Acids
22 amino acids are essential for dogs’ survival. A dozen of these can be made by the dog. The remaining ten amino acids are not available for dogs to synthesize. All of the 10 amino acids in your dog’s food should be included. The following ten amino acid are:
Valine
Leucine
Isoleucine
Arginine
Histidine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Melanin Tryptophan
Threonine
You can find the Exploratorium Science of Cooking Guide that lists both plant and meat sources for each of the amino acids. Dogs can eat both meat and plant sources. Due to the similar structure of muscle in humans and animals, meat-based protein is highly efficient in delivering these vital nutrients.
Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins.
Proteins
Dogs require protein. Protein is important for dogs. Proteins are building blocks for tissues and organs as well as hormones, enzymes and antibodies. Dogs can have protein from both plant and animal sources. Even more interesting is the new trend in insect protein. The advantage of animal proteins is that they can be considered “complete” proteins. Plant proteins, however, are often not in the right amounts and combinations.
Proteins are crucial for:
Growing and maintaining muscles, hair, and nails
Transporting nutrients through your body
Ensure that your immune system is working properly
Producing hormones
You should list the protein content of your food first and then name it. This is a good indication of the quality of the food. It should not list “meat products” or “poultry”. This means that you could be eating the unfavorable parts of an animal mixed in with your food.
Fats
Fats can get a bad rep, but they are vital energy sources for our dogs’ zoomies and ball-chasing adventures. Dog food is high in fats, which are digestible quickly and are first nutrients to give energy to those zoomies.
Fats can be made with fatty acid (similarly as amino acids, which make up the building blocks to protein). Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acid are what dogs need in balanced amounts in their food. These fatty acid cannot be made by dogs.
Pet MD says these are good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6.
Fish oils (herring, salmon, etc.)
Flaxseed oil
Canola oils
Sunflower oils
Corn oils
Soybean oils
Pork fat
Chicken fat (or any type of poultry fat).
Your dog should have these things in his diet
Avocado
Nut- and Seed Butters
Plant Oils
Whole Eggs
Fatty Fish (Salmon makes an exceptional example)
You can find seeds such as chia and flax in the following: pumpkin, sunflower, hemp, sesame, and flax.
Full Fat Yogurt
Dietary fats are vital. Dogs are not at high risk for heart disease if they eat a diet high in saturated fats, which is unlike humans. It is worth considering the health of overweight and less active dogs when selecting their food.
Vitamins & Minerals
A small amount of vitamins and minerals should be included in the dog’s diet. These include:
VITAMINS:
Vitamins A and C, D, E, K
Vitamins B1, B6, B12
Folic acid
Riboflavin
Niacin
Pantothenic Acid
Folic Acid
Choline
MINERALS:
Calcium
Phosphorous
Iron
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Chlorine
Copper
Manganese
Selenium
Iodine
Zinc
The daily recommended amount of vitamins and mineral intake for your dog should be met. You can endanger your dog’s health if you give them too much or too little of these vital nutrients. You may be concerned that your dog does not get enough vitamins or minerals in their food. These resources can help you learn more and make informed decisions before buying a supplement. Before you give supplements to your dog, consult your vet.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide energy for our friends and help maintain intestinal health. Fiber can be a good choice because it can manage chronic diarrhea in dogs. A carpet with fewer piles of smelly, loose poop is always a positive thing.
Also, carbs are the primary source of energy. Proteins follow. Carbs are vital for our dogs’ ability to run after balls or down trails.
These fibers are great to choose dog food from:
Beet pulp, I know! Beet pulp is good for dogs, apparently!
Brans – Think corn (bran), wheat (bran), and rice (bran).
For dogs and puppies who have high energy needs, it is important to limit high-fiber foods.
