There’s a common saying that goes, “you are what you eat.” While it’s aimed at humans and what we consume, the same could be said for your dog!
Our dogs rely upon us for making informed choices for their overall well-being, health and quality of life. Those choices include your dog’s best nutrition! Even for your dog, what is – or is not – consumed will have a direct impact on their health.
Just like you shouldn’t consume a daily diet of junk food, your dog also needs to have his daily nutritional needs met to ensure good health, plenty of energy, comfort and happiness and even longevity.
Let’s review the basics when it comes to canine nutrition and supplements.
Note: Always work with your veterinarian to fulfill your dog’s
specific needs when it comes to high-quality K9
nutrition and supplementation for the best results.
Overfeeding or over-supplementation can be
just as bad as feeding too little.
K9 Nutrition: Dog Food Labels
While meat protein should make up the majority of your domestic dog’s diet, the nutritional value is also derived from fruits and vegetables. Even if you are feeding a commercial kibble, experiment with adding fresh, raw fruits and vegetables to boost your dog’s nutritional intake.
Note: Learn to decipher the labels (the “fine print!”) on the food(s) you are
regularly feeding your dog. Never rely on fancy marketing or advertising
terms including “all-natural,” “healthy,” “recommended by vets,”
or even “organic” or “holistic” for your nutritional information.
Learn how to read a dog food label at AKC.org.
K9 Nutrition: The 6 Basic Requirements
Dogs require the same 7 daily basic nutrients as their human guardians to support good health and necessary bodily functions. These include:
- Water
- Proteins
- Fats
- Fiber
- Carbohydrates
- Minerals:
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Sulfur
- Magnesium
- Sodium
- Phosphorus
- Vitamins:
- Fat-Soluble:
- A, D, E and K
- Water-Solluble:
- B1
- B2
- B3 (Niacin)
- B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
- B6 (Pyridoxine)
- B7 or H (Biotin)
- B9 (Folic Acid)
- B12 (Cobalamin)
- Choline
- Fat-Soluble:
“Under normal circumstances, dogs can meet their nutritional needs
by eating a combination of plant and animal foods.”
(VCAHospitals.com)
K9 Supplements
Usually, if you are feeding a healthy dog a high-quality and well-balanced daily diet, supplementation should not be necessary. Supplementation may be required to address a deficiency, illness, disease or aging.
Again, work with your regular vet, or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, before adding any supplements to your dog’s diet. Excess or over-supplementation could lead to dangerous toxicity or imbalances for your dog.
K9 Nutrition and Supplements: 5 Tips
- Select your dog’s food with real, recognizable, whole-food ingredients and the highest quality you can afford.
- Monitor your dog’s daily intake of calories (add in those treats!). Work with your vet to know how much you should feed your dog depending on their breed, daily exercise, age and overall weight and body condition.
- Feed your dog twice a day and avoid free-feeding to prevent weight gain.
- Avoid artificial preservatives, colors, flavorings and stabilizers as much as possible.
- Whole food nutrition is always best for your dog versus man-made supplementation.
ARKANSAS BEAR CREEK GOLDENS AND DOODLES
We are a small family breeder located in the heart of the Ozarks in Northern Arkansas. We strive to raise healthy, happy, well-socialized, quality Golden Retriever, Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Mini Labradoodle, and Aussiedoodle puppies.
All our puppies come with a health guarantee for their first 12 months of age.
Please text or call us at 870-404-0127 or 870-404-1189 or use our Contact Form here for more information about upcoming litters.
