A dog’s diet must be well-rounded to maintain their health, encompassing essential elements such as:
Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, and Water.
When purchasing commercial dog food, one should search for indications of “complete and balanced nutrition” on the packaging. Labels might also state that the food meets the nutritional standards set by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) or that it is based on AAFCO feeding trials. Both dry and canned foods can provide excellent nutrition, with some specialists advocating for dry food due to its potential benefits for dental health.
If owners opt to prepare homemade meals for their pets, they should follow recipes devised by nutritionists that are “complete and balanced.”
Essential Nutrients
- Proteins: These are crucial as they form the body tissues. Dogs naturally produce 13 out of the 23 amino acids, which are proteins’ building blocks. The remaining 10 must be sourced from their diet.
- Fats: These are a source of energy and play a role in maintaining healthy skin and fur. Essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid, omega-6, and omega-3 must be included in their food since dogs cannot synthesize enough on their own.
- Carbohydrates: Derived from plants, carbohydrates provide energy to the dog’s tissues and support intestinal health when dogs consume grains and vegetables.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Necessary for numerous biochemical processes, including bone formation and maintenance, dogs can obtain all the required vitamins and minerals from a “balanced” diet. This includes Vitamin A, D, E, K, B-complex vitamins, calcium, and phosphorus. Dogs do not need dietary vitamin C as their bodies can produce it.
When dogs consume nutritious food, they generally do not require additional vitamin or mineral supplements, which can be harmful if administered unnecessarily.
Water is critical for survival, constituting over half of an adult dog’s body weight. A dog can withstand significant losses in body fat and protein, but a mere 10% loss of water can be fatal. While canned food contains water, it is not a substitute for a constant supply of fresh, clean water.
Feeding Schedule
Most adult dogs thrive on one or two meals daily, with large breeds often requiring at least two meals to prevent bloating from overeating. Treats and scraps should be limited to no more than 10% of the dog’s daily caloric intake to avoid obesity and associated health issues like diabetes and heart disease.
A veterinarian is the best resource for determining an optimal diet and feeding routine to ensure a dog’s health and well-being.
