What is Important in Dog Nutrition?

To maintain your pet’s health, it is important to select nutritious dog food that is matched in ingredients and supplements to your dog’s lifestyle. They say 'we are what we eat,' and if it is true for us, it is also true for our dogs.

Think about the ancestry of domesticated dogs. They came from wild wolves - carnivores, meat eaters. Dogs have short digestive systems designed to process meat proteins. Dogs have mouths with sharp teeth designed for tearing meat.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials sets guidelines and definitions for animal feed. The first 4 to 5 ingredients listed on the package make up about 75% of the food (by weight prior to cooking) and are an accurate indicator of the quality of a particular food. You should look for:

Good protein sources such as whole meats or single source meat meal;
   
A whole-meat source should be the first or second ingredient listed;
   
Whole, unprocessed grains, vegetables, and other foods;
   
Nutrients and enzymes.

PetSmart offers an on-line guide to helping you choose the right dry food for your dog by walking you through 4 to 13 lifestyle questions. At the completion of the survey, several good options are presented that meet your pet’s weight goals, activity level, and age.

Petsmart

Posted by Paula.