Retailers will often entice new pet owners with food samples and free dog food coupons. But are these foods really the best nutrition for your pet? Knowing your pet’s dietary needs may help you to read labels and decide if your dog is really getting a good meal.
Like humans, dogs need a combination of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals from both plant and animal sources. Your pet’s specific needs will depend on its size, activity level and age. Most pet owners feed their dog a commercially prepared food. These foods are specially formulated for your pet’s needs to prevent malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Some people choose to feed their pet home prepared meals. It is important to discuss your food choices with your veterinarian, especially if preparing your own dog food, because home diets may not meet your pet’s nutritional needs.
What should my dog’s food contain?
- Protein: The first ingredient in any pet food should be a protein such as chicken, lamb or beef. Protein is an essential part of your dog’s diet because proteins are broken down into amino acids by the body. Because many essential amino acids are not produced by the body, the dog must get them from their diet to survive. Your pet will require higher levels of protein if it is a puppy or pregnant.
- Fats: Fats are an important part of your pet’s diet as they are a great source of energy. Quality pet foods contain higher percentages of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Pets that are given foods high in fats have healthy skin and coats.
- Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates provide a main energy source. There are many types of carbohydrates that can be present in dog foods such as rice, oats, barley and corn. Whole grains are high in fiber which aid in good digestion.
- Vitamins: Dogs need a food rich in vitamins to maintain proper body functions. For example, Vitamin B1 is needed to help the body break down carbohydrates. Niacin and Riboflavin play a role in chemical reactions within the body. There are many other vitamins that are required, such as vitamins K, B6, B12 and folic acid.
- Minerals: Dogs need twelve essential minerals that include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and iodine.
What should NOT be in my pet’s food?
- Avoid foods that contain generic “meat” or “meat meal:” The type of meat, such as chicken or beef, should always be listed.
- Avoid by-products: Beware of foods that list animal by-products as a top ingredient. These are fillers made of animal parts, such as hooves and feathers.
- Avoid foods that have vague descriptions of fats: Good foods should list the specific source of fats, i.e. chicken fat or canola oil.
- Beware of foods containing corn or soy as main ingredients: These are not easily digested by your pet and can cause your dog allergy symptoms.
- Avoid foods with added sugars and dyes.
For excellent quality foods that stick to these guidelines look for products that are marketed as grain-free, natural, holistic or hypoallergenic dog foods. A good indication of the quality of your pet’s food is the price that you pay. Unfortunately, many of high quality food brands are expensive and it is a challenge to find dog food coupons. You may find that by paying for a quality food, you may save in vet bills because you own a healthier animal. I was guilty of feeding my Labrador Retriever a lower quality food until I investigated her nutritional needs and the contents of her food. After switching to a high quality pet food that meets her nutritional needs, my dog eats less, has healthy skin, a glossy coat, and is rarely sick.
photo credit: Tambako the Jaguar
