DOG FOOD NUTRITION

Dogs need four basic items on a daily basis.

If you feed a commercial diet, read the label and check what you are actually feeding.

Protein

Vegetable proteins can be hard to digest, and some people prefer to use a dog food containing mostly animal protein. Dogs need a minimum of 18% protein in their diet for adult maintenance and between 22% and 32% for puppies.

If a dog eats more protein than it needs, some will be excreted in the urine and the remainder may be used as calories or converted to fat. However, if your dog has a kidney problem, you should seek veterinary advice about the appropriate level and type of protein.

Most pet-food companies slightly exceed the minimum recommended protein requirements to help ensure that dogs receive adequate protein from their food.

Fat

Adult dogs need a minimum of approximately 5% fat in their diet. Commonly recommended guidelines are between 10% and 20% for an adult dog and between 10% and 25% for puppies.

Pregnant, lactating, sick and debilitated dogs may require more protein and fat. Their individual nutritional needs should be discussed with a veterinary professional.

Vitamins

Most complete dog foods provide the necessary vitamins and nutrients a dog requires. Consult your vet before adding vitamin or mineral supplements, particularly if your dog has a medical condition.

Understanding Dog-Food Labels

Be wary of food marketing. Packaging may be designed to suggest that a product is better than it actually is, so read the full ingredients and nutritional analysis.

Ingredients are normally listed in order of weight. However, fresh meat contains a substantial amount of water and may appear high on the list before cooking. Consider the complete ingredients and nutritional balance rather than judging the food from the first ingredient alone.

Rendered meat meals are concentrated sources of animal protein. Their quality can vary, so look for clearly identified ingredients, such as chicken meal or turkey meal, rather than vague descriptions. Ingredients described only as “animal derivatives” give the buyer less information about their source.

Beet pulp is a source of fermentable fibre and is included in some dog foods to support digestion and stool quality. Whether it suits a particular dog will depend on the complete formulation and the dog’s individual needs.

Approved preservatives and colourings are regulated, but some owners prefer foods containing natural preservatives and no artificial colours. If your dog has a suspected sensitivity, seek veterinary advice before changing its diet.

White flour is a refined carbohydrate with less fibre than whole grains. Grain-free food is not automatically healthier, and grains can provide useful nutrients unless an individual dog has a diagnosed intolerance or allergy.

			Price alone does not tell you whether a dog food is suitable or
			good quality. Compare its ingredients, nutritional analysis,
			feeding quantities and whether it is sold as a complete food.
		

A nutrient-dense food may require a smaller daily portion, so it is helpful to compare the feeding cost per day rather than simply the price of the bag.

You can research and compare different foods at All About Dog Food . Remember that ratings from independent websites are guides and should not replace advice from your vet or a properly qualified canine nutrition professional.

You can read more about one view of the manufacturing process used for dry dog food at Bestie Kitchen .

I am a strong advocate of feeding fresh food, either slowly cooked or raw. You can read more about my experience with dog food and why I changed to raw HERE , although I understand that raw feeding is not suitable for every owner or every dog.

You can also read more about the raw versus dry food debate HERE .

A home-prepared raw or cooked diet must be properly balanced. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to nutritional imbalances, including incorrect calcium and phosphorus levels. Seek advice from your vet or a qualified veterinary nutritionist.

Water: Fresh, clean drinking water should be available at all times.

Dog Food Analysis Home-Made Dog Food Recipes and Treats Digesting Bones and Natural Acidity The Dog Food Directory Bone Broth

The Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs

Type of Food	Source of	May be deficient in
Meats – chicken, beef, lamb, turkey and rabbit	Protein, fat and some B vitamins. Cooking can reduce some B vitamins.	Meat alone does not provide a correctly balanced diet and may be deficient in calcium and other essential nutrients.
Tripe	Protein and fat	Should not be relied upon as a complete source of all required minerals and vitamins.
Liver	Protein, fat, vitamin A, some B vitamins, iron and other nutrients.	Liver is not a complete food and excessive amounts can provide too much vitamin A.
Eggs	High-quality protein, fat, vitamins and minerals.	Eggs are nutritious but should form part of a balanced diet rather than being relied upon as a complete food.
Fish	Protein, fat and a range of vitamins and minerals, depending on the type of fish.	Some raw fish contain thiaminase. Cooking destroys thiaminase, but cooked fish must be free from sharp bones.
Canned fish – pilchards, sardines and similar fish	Protein, fat and omega-3 fatty acids, depending on the product.	Choose varieties without added salt, sauces or unsafe ingredients. Feed as part of an appropriately balanced diet.

Fruit and vegetables can be offered as a treat or added to your dog’s main meal.

Wash fresh produce and remove unsuitable rinds, tough skins, stones, seeds and pips before feeding.

Fruit

Apple, banana, blueberries, cantaloupe melon, mango, pear, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries and watermelon may be offered in suitable amounts.

Never feed grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants. They can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, and the toxic amount cannot be reliably predicted. Contact a vet immediately if your dog eats any of them.

Avoid feeding fruit stones and pips. Citrus fruit flesh is not generally considered highly toxic in a small amount, but it can cause stomach upset. The peel, leaves and other parts of citrus plants should not be fed.

Vegetables

Broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, green beans, lettuce, pumpkin and sweet potato can be offered in suitable portions.

Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage may be easier for some dogs to digest when lightly cooked. Sweet potato should be cooked before feeding.

Do not feed onions, garlic, leeks, shallots or chives. These belong to the allium family and can damage a dog’s red blood cells. Concentrated products such as onion or garlic powder may present an additional risk.

Rhubarb leaves and many wild mushrooms can also be dangerous. Do not allow your dog to eat unidentified mushrooms. Corn is not inherently toxic to dogs, although it may not suit every individual dog and corn cobs can cause a serious intestinal blockage.