A healthy dog needs a balanced diet to stay happy, healthy and strong. A balanced diet includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
A healthy dog food should be easy to digest, high in protein, low in fat and have an adequate amount of each nutrient. A good dry dog food should also have no controversial preservatives and be AAFCO-approved.
Protein
Protein is a critical component of dry healthy dog food. It fuels energy and rebuilds tissues all over the body.
It also helps keep your pet’s muscles strong and healthy, strengthens the immune system, supports her skin and coat and more. Depending on her breed, size and life stage, she may benefit from a high protein diet.
A minimum of 18% crude protein in adult dog food is recommended, although it can vary. It’s important to discuss your pet’s specific needs with a vet before making a high-protein diet choice.
Look for the first five ingredients in your pup’s food, and make sure they include quality proteins, vegetables or grains, fats, and vitamins and minerals. This will help ensure that your pet gets a balanced diet that provides all of the essential nutrients she needs to stay happy and healthy.
Fat
If you’re like most dog owners, fat is something you have to watch out for in your pet’s diet. While there are some health benefits to fat (like promoting skin and coat health), excess can contribute to obesity.
The amount of fat your dog needs depends on many factors. For example, growing puppies and nursing dogs need a higher level of fat than adult dogs who don’t have much activity or are at risk for obesity.
The fat in your dog’s food should be a healthy amount and should come from a variety of sources. Ideally, it should include the right balance of essential and non- essential fats. It should also provide a good ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.
Carbohydrates
Dogs need a well-balanced diet to maintain healthy bodies and happy spirits. This includes protein, fats and carbohydrates, all of which are essential for dogs to thrive.
Carbohydrates are a source of energy in the form of glucose, which is needed by your dog’s body to perform everyday functions like walking and eating. They are also a good source of fiber, which helps to regulate bacteria in the colon and aids digestion.
Carbohydrates come in a variety of forms, including grains, potatoes and fruits. While some types of carbohydrate, such as grains, are simple and provide no nutritional benefits to your dog, other types, such as fruits and vegetables, contain complex carbohydrates that give your dog a boost of energy along with top nutrients.
Fiber
Dry healthy dog food is high in dietary fiber, which helps move food through your dog’s digestive tract. It’s also fermented by resident bacteria in the intestine to produce short chain fatty acids, which are beneficial for your pet’s health.
Soluble fiber can slow the digestion of carbohydrates in a diet and help lower blood sugar levels. It also increases stool texture and absorbs water to produce added bulk in your dog’s stools.
It’s important to choose a high-fiber diet that contains soluble and insoluble fiber. A poor-quality diet with a high concentration of poorly fermented fiber may dilute the calorie content and decrease the digestibility of other nutrients.
Minerals
Dry healthy dog food contains a variety of minerals to help maintain your dog’s health. Minerals work with the enzyme and hormone systems in your dog’s body, helping them to perform their basic functions.
A healthy dog needs a balanced diet that includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Each nutrient has a minimum dietary requirement and maximum tolerable intake.
Some of the important minerals in a healthy dog’s diet include iron, calcium and phosphorus. These nutrients help to build bones and teeth, regulate fluid balance in cells and support thyroid function.
