We all love to eat, and so do our fluffs! But while taking care of taste buds, both theirs and ours, is important, taking care of health is absolutely essential. And as they say, a healthy body is a happy body!
While commercially available dog foods are good, it is always better to have a basic idea about your dog’s nutritional needs for you to make informed decisions.
Judge the food by its cover
Pay extra attention to the label. The product label is a great way to get to know the product better. It provides essential information such as age, breed, and ingredients, which are some of the key parameters for you to filter out products. Looking at ingredients is also important in case your dog suffers from allergies.
The three pillars of nutrition
As a thumb rule, the three essential elements required by your dog to stay healthy are:
Proteins
Proteins are fundamental to your dog’s health. A protein-heavy diet will ensure healthy muscles, improved skin and coat health, boosted immunity, and a healthy gut. However, one thing to keep in mind while shopping for protein-high food is that not all proteins are the same. Plant proteins such as those that come from peas and lentils are often harder for dogs to digest than animal proteins. For this reason, it’s always advised that you check the label for animal proteins. There are quite a few commercially available options that you can choose from.
Vitamins
Vitamins are essential for overall growth and maintenance in both animals and humans. Most vitamins are important in maintaining your dog’s health, and each has their own function.
Vitamins can be made available to your dog through everyday dog food. However, sometimes, they may need dog supplements. Always consult with the vet in case you think they do. Especially if they exhibit unhealthy bones or skin. Additionally, you can also ask your vet about specific fruits and vegetables that are heavy in vitamins.
Omega fatty acids
The two primary groups of fatty acids include Omega-3 and Omega-6. Omega-3 helps in brain development, heart and kidney health, and reducing anxiety and depression, among others. It can mostly be found in fatty fish and their oils.
Omega-6, on the other hand, helps in reproductive health, skin and coat health and overall growth. Some common sources of Omega-6 include vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, and chicken and animal fat.
Dry Food vs. Wet Food
Dog food can come either in the form of kibble (dry dog food), or wet food (wet dog food). Both these types have their own advantages.
Since our dogs need to have a diet separate from ours, one often needs to go out of the way to figure out what’s best for them and what’s not. With this comprehensive guide, we hope you are closer to clarity.
Quick Tip
Let go of regimes occasionally and indulge them in tasty treats, or extra portions of their favourite food, so their happy quotient is always high!
