A balanced diet is essential for the health and proper functioning of dogs. Pet parents are always very conscious about the health of their canines and find ways to fulfill all the nutritional needs of their dogs.

According to research, a balanced dog’s diet has a massive impact on the health of dogs. The most significant effects of a balanced nutrient diet include prevention from cardiac disease, improvement of brain function and sleep, and enhance skin and coat health.

The most important nutrients for dog health include the following:

Proteins:

Protein is found in many foods, but the protein-rich foods that dogs love to eat are beef, chicken, and salmon. Commercial foods also contain proteins that either come from fresh dried meat or grounded animal organs such as bones, hearts, feet, and livers.

Meat is the major component of dog foods because they help in the repair and recovery of body tissues. High-quality dog foods usually contain the highest percentage of proteins and meat is labeled at the top of the ingredients list that is pasted on the dog food containers.

Carbohydrates and Grains:

Carbohydrates and grains are beneficial for your dog if he is not suffering from any sensitivities or allergies. Carbohydrates contain a high amount of energy that helps your dog to remain active and prevent low sugar levels. Grains contain high fiber contents that aid in digestion and improve gut health. Best sources of carbohydrates and grains include rice, peas, barley, oats, and whole wheat.

Vitamins:

Vitamins and minerals are essential for different body organ systems including immune, metabolic, and digestive systems. B-vitamins are most essential that include biotin, thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and beta-carotene. Deficiency of these vitamins results in bone and joint disorders and anemia.

Fat-soluble vitamins are also important. Most significant are vitamin A and E that are important for a dog’s skin and immune system, respectively.

Minerals:

Minerals that are most important for a dog’s health include iron, calcium, zinc, potassium, and manganese. Another important mineral called L-carnitine is also important that help in energy generation by transporting fatty acids to the cells.

Fats and Oils:

Fats sometimes adversely affect the dog’s health, but their optimum amounts are necessary for the dog’s health. Dogs require essential fatty acids that help in providing energy, enhance vitamin absorption, and increase the taste of the foods. Fats are also essential for coat health.

Common sources of fats include chicken fat, pork fat, vegetable oil, fish oil, cottonseed oil, and soybean oil. Most high-quality dog foods contain considerable amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

References:

  • P. R. Buff, R. A. Carter, J. E. Bauer, J. H. Kersey, Natural pet food: A review of natural diets and their impact on canine and feline physiology, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 92, Issue 9, September 2014, Pages 3781–3791, https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2014-7789
  • Brown R. G. (1989). Protein in dog food. The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 30(6), 528–531.
  • Rankovic, A., Adolphe, J., & Verbrugghe, A. (2019). Role of carbohydrates in the health of dogs. Journal Of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 255(5), 546-554. doi: 10.2460/javma.255.5.546
  • Dillitzer, N., Becker, N., & Kienzle, E. (2011). Intake of minerals, trace elements and vitamins in bone and raw food rations in adult dogs. British Journal of Nutrition, 106(S1), S53-S56. doi:10.1017/S0007114511002765
  • Alegría-Morán, R. A., Guzmán-Pino, S. A., Egaña, J. I., Muñoz, C., & Figueroa, J. (2019). Food Preferences in Dogs: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables on Diet Selection. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 9(5), 219. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9050219