Nutrition is just as important for your dog is it is for the rest of your family.
That's why feeding your dog the right foods in the right amount can improve his quality of life and help him live longer.
Your dogs nutritional needs are similar to your own. He needs dog foods that provide protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins in the appropriate amounts. Depending on the stage of life your dog is in, he may require different ratios of these elements.
How to decide the kind of Food you need to provide your Dog?
The age and activity level of your dog should dictate the type of food that he needs. Puppies have different nutritional needs from adult dogs as do senior dogs and dogs with special needs.
Puppies require more protein than adult dogs. Generally, they should be eating foods that provide 28% protein and 17% fat.
Healthy normal weight adult dogs should be getting about 18% protein and 12% fat from their dog foods. If your dog is a performance dog, like a sled dog or other working dog he will require a higher amount of protein - about 25% and about 20% fat.
Dogs that are pregnant and lactating require a diet similar to puppies with 28% protein and 27% fat.
Overweight and Senior Dogs
Seniors are less active, thus requiring fewer calories, and may benefit from a diet lower in phosphorus and a with a moderate level of fiber.
There are three basic types of prepared, pre-packed dog food. They
are dry food, semi moist food, and canned food. Below is a brief
description of each one.
Dry Foods: Despite of what the name suggests, dry foods contain
about ten percent water. But while all brands of dry foods share the
same nutritional analysis, raw materials that are used to make it
vary, which makes some dry foods more digestible or more palatable
than others.
Dry foods are usually cheaper in cost compared to canned and
semi-moist food. This is especially beneficial if you own several
dogs or if you have a large one. Dry foods are also high in bulk
which is helpful for dogs that suffer from dietary upsets.
Semi-moist Foods: Also referred to as soft-moist, these types of
foods contain about 25 percent water. Semi moist foods are generally
offered in the form of chunks of meat or simulated hamburger. More
dog owners prefer semi moist foods than dry foods because semi moist
foods usually look more like meat.
Although semi moist foods are more expensive than dry foods, they
provide a better alternative for your dog’s diet. This is especially
true if your dog is used to eating fresh meat.
Canned Foods: This is considered to be the most popular form of dog
food for most dog owners. There are two different types of canned
food. The first type has a cereal component that makes it a complete
diet. The other type has a meat only component and does not provide
for a balanced diet unless a biscuit is added.
Check for the method of feeding a specific food. Giving your dog a
diet of all meat and no biscuit is not only expensive but it does
not provide a nutritionally balanced diet.
