When it comes to feeding your pet dog, the right balance of nutrients is crucial for a happy and healthy lifestyle. To function normally, animals (and people) require an optimal combination of protein, carbs, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and water on a daily basis. By ensuring we and our pets are getting all the right nutrients, we also ensure that we have a healthier and overall happier life and are less likely to suffer from sickness. Pet food producers put a lot of effort into determining the exact formula that goes into their products so that they supply everything your dog requires on a regular basis.
As with our fellow humans, there are many specialised diets tailored for various life phases (such as pups or geriatric dogs), hypoallergenic nutrition, and formulas to control specific health concerns such as heart disease, kidney disease, and so on. Due to the numerous issues that dog breeding has caused with the physical health in some breeds, especially later on in life, it’s essential for our pet’s health that we are providing a proper diet.
Every component in your dog’s food has a specific purpose. Your dog wouldn’t be able to maintain muscular tone, grow and repair muscles, teeth, and bone, perform routine everyday activities with ease, or fight infection if he or she doesn’t have enough of the right nutrients. Proteins are an energy source that also aid muscle function and growth. Fats provide them energy, assist your brain work, and keep your skin and hair looking good. Carbohydrates provide a quick source of energy for your dog, allowing him or her to be active and enthusiastic. Vitamins and minerals are required for muscular contraction and nerve conduction, as well as their role in disease prevention.
Body Condition and Muscle Tone
Protein makes up every single cell in the body. It is necessary for the development of skin, hair, muscles, organs, and other tissues. Protein is required for the healing of damaged cells as well as the formation of new ones. Protein is especially vital for animals who are young, growing, or pregnant. Your dog’s meal has enough protein to help him create and maintain healthy muscles. This is why a protein source should be one of the first few ingredients on a dog food label. You will want to look for chicken, beef, and other good sources of protein on the label!
Healthy Skin and Shiny Coat
Everyone understands that a dog with a thick, lustrous coat is in good health. This is because dogs with a healthy mix of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids have healthy skin and shiny hair. When your skin is dry, your hair is more likely to split, break, and fall out. Anti-inflammatory foods with sufficient omega-3 fatty acids prevent itching and other irritations caused by allergies or environmental factors such as seasonal changes.
Elimination and Digestion
Carbohydrates contain fibre, which aids digestion and eliminates waste. The nutrients in dog food are designed to be readily available to your dog’s digestive tract and thus easily absorbed by the body. Digestibility is vital so that your dog can absorb all of the nutrients in his meal and quickly eliminate waste. Your dog’s diet should meet all of his nutritional requirements while producing the least amount of faeces possible.
Disease Prevention and Immunity
Every bag of dog food contains vitamins and minerals that work together to keep your dog’s immune system and metabolism healthy. Vitamins work to decrease the daily harm that is done to body cells. Minerals aid in the correct functioning of cells, which is essential for good health. Vitamins and minerals are obtained in the diet from both plant and animal sources. Your pet may become ill if he or she didn’t get enough vitamins and minerals.
