Ah dogs! Our best friends. Dogs are our best friends. Dogs are so much fun to run and play with, and just have fun with. Our cat friends may be jealous that we could write such a lengthy love letter to our dogs. Instead, we’ll write a detailed guide to help dog lovers understand how to best feed their pooch.
It is easy to learn how to choose the right dog food, just as you do to eat well. We’ve got your back. Here are some things to keep in mind when feeding your dog.
Learn about their nutritional needs
To choose the best dog food, you must first understand what makes it nutritious and delicious.
Amino Acids and Fatty Acids
22 amino acids are required for survival of dogs, of which a dozen can be manufactured by them. Dogs cannot make the other ten amino acid compounds. These 10 amino acids must always be present in the dog’s diet. These are the ten amino acids:
Valine
Leucine
Isoleucine
Arginine
Histidine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Melanin Tryptophan
Threonine
Each of these amino acid can be obtained from both meat and plants. The Exploratorium Science of Cooking Guide contains more information. Dogs can digest both plant and meat sources. Because of the similarities in muscle structure between humans and dogs, meat-based proteins are highly efficient at delivering vital nutrients and converting them into protein.
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The building blocks of protein are amino acids.
Proteins
Dogs require protein. It is essential that dogs eat a lot of protein. Proteins are essential building blocks of tissues, organs, cells and hormones. Dogs can eat protein from both animal and plant sources. A new trend is in insect protein… Animal proteins are considered “complete proteins”, whereas plant proteins are considered incomplete proteins if they are not given in the correct combination or quantities.
Proteins are essential for:
Maintaining and growing muscle, hair, or nails
Transporting nutrients throughout the body
Assuring that the immune system works properly
Producing hormones
Your chosen food’s protein should be listed first, and then by name. It is an indicator of quality if it lists “beef”, “chicken”, or “salmon” as the protein. You might be getting less-than-desirable parts of the animal in your bag of food if it includes “meat byproducts” and “poultry”.
Fats
Fats often get a bad reputation, but they are essential for doggos’ love of ball-chasing and zoomies. Dog food contains fats that are easily digestible and provide energy for the zoomies.
Fatty acids are what create fats (similarly to amino acids that make up the building blocks for protein). Omega-3 and Omega-6 are the two essential fatty acids dogs need in a balanced amount in their diet. These fatty acids are not available to dogs on their own.
Pet MD recommends these sources for Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid:
Fish oils (herring, salmon, etc.)
Flaxseed oil
Canola oils
Sunflower oils
Corn oils
Soybean oils
Pork fat
Chicken fat (or any other poultry fat)
Include these foods in your dog’s food:
Avocado
Nut and seed butters
Plant Oils
Whole eggs
Fatty Fish (Salmon is a rare exception)
There are many seeds, including sesame, flax and pumpkin seeds.
Full Fat Yogurt
Essential fats are important in diets. Saturated fats are essential for dogs, but not humans. When choosing food for overweight dogs or those who are less active, it is important to limit fat intake.
Vitamins & Minerals
You should ensure that your dog’s food contains small amounts of vitamins or minerals. These include:
VITAMINS:
Vitamins A, B, C, D and E
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
Your dog’s food should have the required vitamins and minerals. Your dog’s health can be affected if they get too many or too few of these essential nutrients. These resources will help you to find out if your dog is getting enough vitamins and minerals from their diet. Before giving your dog supplements, make sure you consult your vet.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are also good for intestinal health and energy. Fiber is one of those extra-beneficial carbohydrates that can help with chronic diarrhea in dogs. It is always better to have less poopy, loose stool on the carpet.
Proteins are the second most important source of energy after carbs. Carbs are essential for dogs to have energy to run after a ball, or follow a trail. They also help to preserve proteins to make and maintain body tissues.
There are some great fibers that you should consider when selecting dog food:
Beet pulp – Yes, I know. It is actually good for dogs!
Brans are corn, rice and wheat.
High fiber foods should not be given to dogs or puppies with high energy needs.