Pet owners want to provide their dogs with the very best diet available, but conflicting information can often be a cause of confusion. How much protein should a dog get? What dog food is the best and/or the most healthy?
The natural diet of a dog is one that is high in protein and high in water. Just as we consider the case for ourselves, scientists also say that ensuring your dog eats a good variety of whole foods is very important to gain the most in terms of nutritional value.
Traditional tinned or dried dog food is a popular method of feeding our pets however not all the products on the market provide a good balanced meal. Just like pre-packed and processed food for humans there can sometimes be a few nasties lurking in some brands that should be avoided if possible.
There isn’t really one definitive “best diet” for a dog. The trick is to ensure your pet receives a variety of foods. Try choosing 2 or 3 different brands of dog food that use different protein sources and every so often, rotate. Adding fresh foods into the diet will also undoubtedly have a positive effect. Fresh wholesome items to be included could be eggs, raw meat (or cooked), canned fish and even healthy leftovers from your own meals such as vegetables.
Do any of you have tips or suggestions about the ideal diet for a dog? If you have any comments, please feel free to add them below.
The natural diet of a dog is one that is high in protein and high in water. Just as we consider the case for ourselves, scientists also say that ensuring your dog eats a good variety of whole foods is very important to gain the most in terms of nutritional value.
Traditional tinned or dried dog food is a popular method of feeding our pets however not all the products on the market provide a good balanced meal. Just like pre-packed and processed food for humans there can sometimes be a few nasties lurking in some brands that should be avoided if possible.
- There should be no generic fat listed in the ingredients. Look for sources such as “chicken fat” or “lamb meal” instead of “meat meal”.
- Avoid foods that use corn gluten meal, a cheap waste product from the human food industry that provides incomplete protein for dogs.
- Another sign of low quality food is that which contains BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin which are all artificial preservatives. Likewise avoid products with artificial colours, sugars and sweeteners such as corn syrup, sucrose or propylene glycol.
- A whole-meat source should be one of the very first ingredients on the label, if not there could be too many grains and too little meat contained within.
There isn’t really one definitive “best diet” for a dog. The trick is to ensure your pet receives a variety of foods. Try choosing 2 or 3 different brands of dog food that use different protein sources and every so often, rotate. Adding fresh foods into the diet will also undoubtedly have a positive effect. Fresh wholesome items to be included could be eggs, raw meat (or cooked), canned fish and even healthy leftovers from your own meals such as vegetables.
Do any of you have tips or suggestions about the ideal diet for a dog? If you have any comments, please feel free to add them below.
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