The Nutritional Needs of Dogs
Dogs have specific nutritional needs to get the amount of nutrients they need. Their food should be geared toward their age bracket too. A dog’s needs change as it gets older slightly. So let’s take a broad look at what dogs should eat to be healthy.
Protein
Protein is essential for the muscle, skin and hair formation. It supplies various amino acids these fit into two categories essential and non-essential. The essential amino acids have to come from the dog’s food, especially from organic raw dehydrated dog food, the non-essential ones can be made in the body of the dog. The protein should be from animal sources. Dogs have an easier time digested it compared to plant sources of it.
As a puppy your canine companion needs more protein as it is in its formative years. The body is developing in so many areas. The older the dog gets the amount of protein can be adjusted to less. Many commercial foods and dog supplements for dogs are geared according to age.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates should be included in a dog’s diet. These include sources of dietary fiber, starches and sugars. This type of food provides the dog with its energy supply. The dog gets these carbohydrates through grains, lactose, simple sugars like sucrose and glucose. Dietary fiber does not totally breakdown in the system corn is one example of it. The dietary fiber helps the digestive system.
Fats
Fats play an important role in the health of your dog. They are good for the skin, coat, immune system, kidney functioning, reproductive system and more. Fats also are great sources of the fat-soluble vitamins such as A, K, D and E along with essential fatty acids. The level of fats in the diet should be closely monitored as too much in the diet is not good. Check with the veterinarian for proper quantities for the age and health of your dog.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are typically added to Honest Kitchen Thrive dog food too in the right balance. If the food is right no vitamin or mineral supplementation should be needed unless recommended by the veterinarian. It is easy to give dogs too much of what they need otherwise. Some of the vitamins and minerals dogs need are talked about below:
- Vitamin A is important to the reproductive system, immune system, eyes, and growth functions.
- Vitamin D helps to regulate the calcium in the dog’s body.
- Vitamin E is a compound of chemicals known as tocopherols. This is an antioxidant and it prevents cell from being damaged by free radicals.
- Vitamin K is important for the blood’s clotting processes to take place.
- B-complex vitamins are needed for some important functions in your system. They metabolize food eaten for the purpose of energy.
- Magnesium is important for the muscles, nerves and heart to function properly. It works in conjunction with calcium.
- Phosphorus and calcium are need for proper bone growth. They need to be in the right ratio though for your particular breed. Check with your vet.
The above guidelines are most of what your dog’s nutrition should contain. Of course each dog is different so the veterinarian should be consulted to know for sure what to feed your dog.