There’s an old adage that says, ‘you are what you eat.’ While this saying was coined in reference to humans, it also applies to the diet of your beloved pet dog. One of the most important things you can do for your dog’s overall well-being is to feed them with complete, nutritious, and proper dog food.
Improved nutrition boosts the immune system and promotes long-term wellness while putting less strain on your pet’s organs. Your dog’s kidneys and liver need to be healthy so they can function well in removing toxins, preservatives, and other unhealthy elements in their body.
While you can choose from several kinds of dog food in Australia, as a dog owner, you would want to know how to choose the right food for your dog before purchasing anything. However, choosing a healthy diet for your pet can be challenging. You need to consider several factors, including your dog’s age, activity level, breed, or even reproductive status.
Nonetheless, here are some helpful tips to help you choose the best dog food for your pet:
Choose Age-Appropriate Dog Food
Dogs have unique dietary requirements at various stages of their lives, so feeding your dogs a balanced diet formulated for their life stage is critical. This ensures that they receive all the nutrients they need for their age. It’s best to pick food that’s suitable for your dog’s age. Just like babies, puppies can still digest a wide range of foods, but dogs begin to lose their appetite as they get older. Small breed puppies usually need a higher calorie content in their dog food. Feed them with extra calories without overloading the amounts of fat.
Look for dog-friendly vegetables like potatoes, kale, carrots, green beans, celery, beets, etc. Nutritious puppy food should also contain high-quality proteins to develop their muscles and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for brain development. These proteins are found in lean meats, fish, and poultry.
Similarly, the food you prepare for adult dogs must provide for all their nutritional needs, including the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. As your dog ages, you might want to consider switching to a senior dog formulated food or making a portion of customized senior dog food. This will assist your pet in maintaining a healthy weight while still sustaining its level of activity.
Select Dog Food Based On Your Pet’s Activity Level
By properly assessing your dog’s activity level, you can provide the appropriate amount of calories to sustain their everyday lifestyle. On the other hand, if you feed them more than the calories they need, your dog may develop health issues.
An active dog requires different types of food than a sedentary dog. Active dogs require a higher-protein diet. In contrast, sedentary dogs need a diet with less protein but more fiber. The best food for this type of dog contains high-quality protein and complex carbohydrates.
Know The General Nutritional Requirements For Dogs
The structure of a dog’s digestive tract and teeth is optimized for an omnivorous diet. However, an all-meat diet could be unbalanced and wouldn’t satisfy all of your dog’s nutritional needs.
Therefore, you should feed your dogs with a mixture of meat and plant-based food.
There are vital nutrients needed as part of your dog’s daily diet. Mainly, these are vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water. These essential nutrients are the minimum dietary requirements that’ll sustain your dog’s health throughout its lifespan.
Find The Right Food By Size
There are numerous dog breeds in a variety of shapes and sizes. Finding the best food for your dog can be complicated with so many different body types to consider.
To give you an idea, small dog breeds have more stamina and aster metabolism than large-built dogs. Their meals require a higher concentration of essential nutrients and calories to help them live a balanced lifestyle. Recommended foods for smaller breeds include chunked pieces of kibble, beef, chicken, and dog food rich in fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6.
For medium-sized dog breeds, there’s no simple rule in choosing the right food for them. The highly active breeds are working dogs and need a high-calorie diet to meet their energy requirements. They also need a high-protein diet to develop strong bones and lean muscles.
As for large dog breeds, the approximate calories required are 30 calories per pound of body weight. They need fewer calories than small dogs because they’re more at risk of developing health issues, like bloating, obesity, as well as bone and joint disorder.
As mentioned, your dog’s activity level plays a significant role in choosing the right food for your dog. You can ask your dog’s veterinarian for the appropriate food formula for your dog’s breed too.
Check The Dog Food Packaging And Ingredients
Now that you’ve learned enough about dog nutrition, the next step is to make sure that the dog food you choose is healthy for your dog.
There should be a nutrition panel on the dog food packaging. Check the label carefully and pay close attention to the ingredients listed there. Ensure you have the right combination of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fat in your dog’s food. If it doesn’t have everything your dog needs, then it’s not the right kind of dog food for your dog.
Conclusion
Reading the information on dog forums to learn more about dog nutrition is a good start. The more you know, the better decisions you’ll be able to make when it comes to feeding your dog. This is especially important if your dog has special dietary requirements.
Dogs with allergies need special foods or dog food recipes. If you want to learn more about how to choose the right dog food for your dog, make it a point to consult a veterinarian for the right diet for your pet. Choosing the right food for your dogs is essential to keep them healthy and help them live longer. It’s always best to know what affects your dog’s well-being, which includes proper diet and nutrition.
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