Just like food affects our mood and energy levels, so it is with dogs dogs! Hyperactivity, for example, is associated with processed and low-quality dog food, for example dog food that contains a disproportionate amount of carbohydrates such as wheat, as they cause an increase in the dog's blood sugar levels.
Shiny fur is one of the biggest changes we can notice in our dog when changing food.
Pet food ingredients - what to watch out for
With dog food marketers bombarding us with brightly colored bags and trays with pictures of happy, cute dogs and claims like Holistic or Happy Dog embossed on the packages, No wonder many of us unconsciously decide on dog food based on the branding alone. After all, first impressions count.
Here are some tips on what to pay attention to in the ingredients of the food!
- Protein content - The optimal protein percentage for an average dog should be around 20%-30%. Any food that contains less than 15% is too low.
- Dog food that contains fresh muscle meat is infinitely better than food that contains meat meal or processed meat, which is usually called "dried" on dog food packages. For example, if the package says 30% chicken, it's muscle meat, but if it says 30% dried chicken, it's chicken that's usually been processed at very high temperatures before the food is made.
- Grain-free food is becoming more popular these days because many highly processed dog foods use grains as fillers such as wheat and barley. Of course, grains are not harmful to most dogs, but some may suffer from grain intolerance.
What is the risk of an unbalanced diet?
Dogs who receive an unbalanced diet are prone to all kinds of problems including life-shortening obesity, bad breath, dull fur, skin disorders, excessive shedding and an increased tendency to allergies. Inadequate nutrition can also be causal in several diseases such as pancreatitis and kidney disease.
It is safer to look for healthy, premium dog food that is not highly processed.
How to feed your dog?
Mealtimes are one of the highlights of the day for most dogs, and of course we all witness the incessant pacing up and down as it gets closer to mealtime, the sad looks in the eyes or the dinner dance.
Many dogs prefer to eat their food from a regular dog bowl; However, some dogs gobble down their food too quickly, putting them at risk of choking or bloat. If your dog is one of these, consider throwing away the bowl and feeding them out of a Kong, these games not only slow them down but are also fun, making dinner times even more fun.
Feeding times
Dogs thrive on routine, so it's a good idea to feed your dog at the same times every day. Most dogs prefer their food two or three times a day, ideally in the morning and evening, with lunch. If your schedule allows it. This helps their metabolism stay stable and has the added benefit of knowing when we'll need the poop bags on hand!
Puppies, of course, need to be fed more frequently, 3 or 4 times a day, as do some dogs who are picky eaters or have medical conditions.
What is the difference between food for puppies, food for adult dogs and food for senior senior dogs?
I can feed puppies up to one year old:
Puppies need more calories and protein than adult dogs, partly because of their boundless energy and playfulness, but also because 50% of their intake goes into tissue growth and development.
Food for adult dogs 1 year to 7 years:
In contrast, adult dogs tend to slow down as they reach their autumn years, just like us, and therefore need fewer calories while a healthy adult dog requires somewhere in between.
These various nutritional requirements can be met by feeding age-appropriate dog food.
What to feed your dog?
There is a huge variety of dog foods on the market now and choosing Prestige for your dog is up to you, it is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make on behalf of your pet.
A lot depends on your dog's needs, your budget and convenience often plays a part for many of us. However, it is best to aim to feed a natural diet as much as you can.
The most popular choice among dog owners is often not ideal. Most of them contain processed meat that is processed at very high temperatures and pressures and destroys some of the nutrients and they often contain a high proportion of fillers such as wheat, which, while not harmful to your dog in themselves, have no real benefits.