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Go to any pet store, or your local grocery store for that matter, and you’re sure to find a prodigious array of available dog food from which to choose. Large bags, small bags, cans, pouches; the variety of options can be mind boggling. Combine this with the barrage of slick advertising campaigns that are produced by the different manufacturers, and choosing the right food for you dog can be a bit confusing.
Dogs, like any other living creature, require the intake of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals in order to maintain a healthy physique. Most health problems occur when theses nutritional needs are either not being met, or are out of balance. It is therefore important that the food you choose for your dog is not only nutritionally well-balanced, but that the nutrients are of the right variety as to be easily absorbable by your dog’s digestive system.
Protein and carbohydrates are essential in a quality dog food. Most dog food, dry or wet, uses some form of meat as the primary source of protein. In most cases, they are by-products of meat processing for human consumption and most often come from beef, chicken or lamb. While the term “by-products” seems to infer something unfit for consumption, the truth is that it usually refers to parts of the animal that aren’t generally deemed palatable by humans. This can include internal organs, tongue and cheek meat, and even bone.
Carbohydrates can be a bit tricky when it comes to pet nutrition. In the wild, canines eat a far greater quantity of meat protein than they do carbohydrates. Generally this meat protein is used by the animal to create muscle and as a source of energy. However, dogs also have the digestive ability to convert carbohydrates into energy as well. Because most dry dog food is made up of anywhere from 30-70% carbohydrates, it is important to make sure that they are the right variety. Soluble carbohydrates are the ideal, and can be found in many cereals such as rice, barley and wheat. When properly processed, these carbohydrates can be easily digested by most canines.
There are many people that believe that commercially processed dog food should not be used at all. Advocates of a raw food diet for your dog suggest that only raw meats and bone should be fed to your pet because it is healthier than what’s available in dry food. A BARF (bones and raw food) diet is closer to what a canine would naturally eat as a wild animal, and the idea is that this type of diet is more in tune with their natural digestive process. While this might seem intuitive, there is considerable debate between experts regarding this type of diet.
Most dog food manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure that their product provides good, basic nutrition for most dog breeds. However, where supplemental nutrition is required, adding vegetables and additional meat product to their diet is often sufficient for most dogs. Some breeds might require other supplements as well, but it is best to discuss these matters with your veterinarian. They are the best source for nutritional information for your pet, and should always be your first information resource.
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