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Dogs Need Good Food Too - Your Guide to Your Dog's Diet
Dogs' nutritional needs may differ from ours. What we deem as
healthy for us might not be sufficient or appropriate for them.
To give your dog the best nutrition available you will have to
understand their specific needs and how to address them. Taking
care of man's best friend does take a little preparation and
know-how.
Your dog needs the essential nutrients to grow, go, and glow. If
your dog does not receive proper nutrients it may result in poor
health, stunted growth, lethargy and shortened lifespan.
Dogs, like most animal life forms, need the six basic nutrients
for survival: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and
minerals. These nutrients serve different functions in
sustaining the health and well-being of your dog. This guide
will elaborate on dogs' need of these nutrients.
1. Proteins: the building blocks of your dog's health Proteins
are chemicals made of amino acids. Your dog can produce some of
these chemicals in their own bodies. The rest has to be supplied
through food. The best sources of these amino acids are meat and
its byproducts. Dogs can extract proteins from these sources a
lot easier than it would with plant sources.
Choose feeds that have an adequate amount of protein in them to
help your puppies and working dogs grow. Too much of this,
however, may cause kidney problems and has been known to cause
temperament problems.
2. Fats: delivering other nutrients to the body Fat sound like a
bad word - everyone tries to avoid it because it causes tons of
health problems. Dogs, however, just like man, also have a need
for these nutrients - albeit in a moderate amount.
The right amount of fat is needed to promote good skin health,
and to transport fat-soluble vitamins. Fats are also essential
to kidney function and reproductive health. They make food
tastier too. Too much fat will result in obesity and lethargy.
3. Carbohydrates: doggie fuel Fifty percent of your dog's diet
should consist of carbohydrates since they need it for their
energy. Corn is one of the more popular sources of this
nutrient, along with soybeans. If this source is clean and of
good nutritional quality then that should be fine as well.
4. Vitamins and Minerals: keeping your dog healthy It would have
been easier if your dog only had to splurge on vitamins and
minerals to get optimal health. However, the opposite is true.
Your dog needs an exact amount of vitamins and minerals to be
healthy. Although, your dog may receive these nutrients from
food, vitamin supplements for your dogs could be helpful.
Specially formulated commercial feeds also make it easier for
dog owners to give their dogs good nutrition.
About the author:
Jay is the web owner of http://www.dog-training-tips.org Dog Training Tips, a
website that provides information and resources on dog training,
puppy training, and more. You can also visit his website at:
http://www.petmall.us Pet
Mall for pet supplies.
Written by: Jay Bauder