Nutritional Requirements for Dogs

 Science is a process sometimes described as “an ever-widening darkness.” Everything learned serves to shed light on what is still unknown and what needs to be learned next, how better to re-ask the question considering recent insight.  Nutritional requirements for dogs are put up by hardworking professionals who are civic minded enough to donate time to essential committee work. They are willing to take a stand, exposing themselves to critique, knowing how essential it is we have a benchmark to change from.  It’s easy to point out where you think the official guidelines published by the authorities are inadequate, misinformed, or wrong. And you should. But this must always be done with respect and humility. Committee members have the courage to take a stand, knowing that is how science works. We roll forward with our best thinking today, always open to a better or more useful guess.  The result is that while Minimal Daily Requirements can be useful … there is fine ...

Whether you buy your dog food or make it yourself, your dog needs a balanced diet to stay healthy. That includes a mix of:     Proteins     Carbohydrates     Fats     Vitamins     Minerals     Water To make sure the dog food you buy has the right mix of nutrients, look for the words "complete and balanced nutrition" on the label. You might also see "Meets the nutritional requirements of dogs established by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)" or "Complete and balanced nutrition for dogs based on AAFCO feeding trials." Both dry and canned dog food will give your dog good nutrition. Some experts prefer dry food because it may help keep teeth and gums healthy. If you make your own dog food , use recipes created by nutritionists to be "complete and balanced." Essential Nutrients Proteins: Body tissues are made of proteins. Your dog's body makes only 13 of the 23 amino acids that are the building blocks of p...

A groomer friend of mine recently recounted the story of a client who feeds her dog a limited, four-ingredient fresh food diet due to food intolerances. While limited-ingredient diets are common for dogs with food sensitivities , the client was not adding any supplementation for fear of causing the dog a reaction. I was floored, because no four foods can provide all of the dog nutrition a pup needs to live a long, healthy life. Without supplements to fill in the nutritional gaps , this well-intentioned dog guardian is unwittingly causing her canine companion more harm than good. All living organisms need a wide variety of nutrients — substances from food that provide energy and enable our bodies to function — to survive. There are six major classes of nutrients for dogs and people: water, protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Let’s take a closer look at dog nutrition and six essential nutrients your dog needs to eat: 1. Water Water being poured into a dog bowl. W...

Macronutrients for Adult Dogs Macronutrients are the first piece in nutrition where they are necessary for optimal health. There are three primary macronutrients which include protein, lipids (fats), and carbohydrates. Each macronutrient is in nearly all foods and supply calories for energy. Recommended Daily Allowances for Macronutrients Macronutrients are a class of chemical compounds which are consumed in large quantities and provide the bulk of energy within the diet. Protein Fat Carbohydrates Water accounts for a large portion of the total amount of food ingested in a normal raw diet. Water does not provide any nutritional value. However, water is an essential nutrient necessary for optimal canine health and nutrition. Micronutrients for Adult Dogs Additionally, puppies have different micronutrient requirements in comparison to adult dogs. Puppies have higher requirements for amino acids, fats, vitamins, and minerals in comparison to adult dogs. Therefore, there must be a supply o...

Dogs have very specific nutritional demands for healthy growth and development.  From puppies to old dogs, every life phase will bring with it different requirements of protein, fat, carbohydrates and other nutrients. As an increasingly developed niche, pet food specific to different age groups are considered to have great market potential. However, special care must be taken with the ingredients to be used in this type of formulation so that the nutrients are available to be absorbed and used effectively by the dogs.  In this blog post, we will know more about the nutritional demands specific to each stage of a dog's life and how this will be reflected in the formulation of animal feed.  The nutritional needs of puppies In general, a dog is considered a puppy until the 6th or 7th month of life, when it is still growing. However, some larger breeds can continue growing up to 1 year or more.  Weaning, in which happens the transition from breast milk to other types of...

No sensible person would feed a newborn baby the same diet as an adult. Indeed, our nutritional needs change dramatically depending on our life stage, including youth, adulthood, pregnancy and old age. And the same goes for dogs. A puppy has different nutritional requirements from an adult dog , a reproducing dog and an older dog. And, as a pet owner, you'll have to take account of these changes and adjust the diet as necessary. First, it's important to be aware of the basics of a dog's diet . All dogs need an adequate amount of six things to thrive: protein, fatty acids, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and water. Proteins provide amino acids. Of the 22 amino acids protein can supply, 10 of these are essential, because the dog can't synthesize on its own. In addition to making food more appetizing, fats provide several nutritional benefits. They help maintain a healthy skin and coat, and are important for digesting fat-soluble vitamins. Although dogs are omnivores an...

 Three of the most important aspects of dog ownership include socialisation, training and providing them with the best nutrition possible!  A healthy and balanced diet has a positive impact on a dog's current and future health, and also helps to reduce the chances of behavioural issues from occurring.  In fact, a dog’s diet can play a larger role in their overall quality of life than many dog owners realise. Did you know that a large percentage of serotonin is produced in the gut, rather than the brain? This means that a healthy microbiome can have a direct impact on how happy and relaxed a dog is. But if you’ve never owned a dog before, getting to understand the ins and outs of feeding can be tricky.  We’ve put together a short guide, complete with a dog’s nutrition chart to get you going. While this is a great starting point for finding out more about a dog’s diet, please remember that you should always seek specific nutrition advice from your dog's vet. Dog Nutrit...

 A balanced diet is critically important to your dog’s cell maintenance and growth and overall health. Barring any special needs, illness-related deficiencies, or instructions from your vet, your pet should be able to get all the nutrients he or she needs from high-quality commercial pet foods, which are specially formulated with these standards in mind. But dogs of different ages have different nutritional requirements. So, how much—or how little—should you be feeding your four-legged friend? Read on to learn what your pet’s body needs at the various stages of life. Dog Nutrition Tips Nutrients Your Dog Needs Nutrients are substances obtained from food and used by an animal as a source of energy and as part of the metabolic machinery necessary for maintenance and growth. There are the six essential classes of nutrients dogs need for optimum healthy living. Expand to read more Weaning and Feeding Your Puppy If you’re responsible caring for puppies in the first few months of their l...

Do you know what your dog's body needs to thrive? Your dog's nutrition is the foundation of their health, so let's take a look at what they need so you can find a diet that supports them. From how they are built to what they eat, your dog has unique qualities and functions that can only be nourished with the right nutrition. To find the best diet for your dog , you need to understand what your dog needs to stay healthy and active. What do dogs need in their diet ?   Every Dog is Different Like our own diets, your dog's nutritional needs aren't always black and white - the same goes for your dog's energy requirements. From body weight to breed, different dogs require different nourishment. There are many differing opinions when it comes to nutrition. To make matters worse, businesses are better than ever at playing off of our emotions and common misconceptions about our pets to convince us to buy their product. With so many different feeding options out there,...