Just as food affects our mood and energy levels so is it with canine dogs! Hyperactivity, for example, is associated with processed and low-quality dog food for example dog food that contains a disproportionate amount of carbohydrates like wheat as they cause an increase in the dog’s blood sugar levels.
Glossy fur is one of the biggest changes that can be noticed in our dog when changing foods.
Pet food ingredients - what to watch out for
With dog food marketers bombarding us with bags and trays in bright colors with pictures of happy and cute dogs and claims like Holistic or Happy Dog Embedded in the packages, no wonder many of us subconsciously decide on dog food based on branding alone. After all, a first impression is considered.
Here are some tips for paying attention to the ingredients of food!
- Protein content - the optimal percentage of protein for an average dog, should be around 20% -30% any food that contains less than 15% too low.
- Dog food containing fresh muscle meat is immeasurably better than food containing a meal of meat or processed meat, commonly referred to as "dried" dog food packages. For example, if the pack says 30% chicken, it is muscle meat, but if it says 30% dried chicken, it is chicken that has usually been processed at very high temperatures before food production.
- Grain-free foods are becoming more popular these days, as 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 intolerance to grains.
What is the risk of an unbalanced diet?
Dogs that receive an unbalanced diet are prone to all sorts of problems including short-lived obesity, bad breath, dull fur, skin disorders, excessive shedding and an increased tendency to allergies. Inadequate nutrition can also be causal in a number of 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 relentless march up and down as the hour approaches lunchtime, 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 devour their food too quickly, which puts them at risk of suffocation or bloating. If your dog is one of those, you might consider throwing the bowl and feeding them out of kong, these games not only slow them down but are also fun, making dinner times even more fun.
Feeding times
Dogs thrive on a routine basis, so it is recommended that you feed your dog at the same hours each 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. It helps their metabolism stay stable and has the added benefit of knowing when we will need the poop bags on hand!
Puppies, of course, need to be fed more frequently, 3 or 4 times a day, as well as some dogs that are strict eaters or with medical conditions.
What is the difference between food for puppies, food for adult dogs and food for adult dogs Senior?
Food for puppies up to one year old:
Puppies need more calories and protein than adult dogs, in part because of their energy and unlimited playfulness, but also because 50% of their consumption goes to tissue growth and development.
Food for adult dogs one year to age 7:
In contrast, adult dogs tend to slow down when they reach their fall years, just like us, and therefore need fewer calories while a healthy adult dog requires somewhere between the two.
These different 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 right now, and choosing the Prestige for your dog is up to you, this is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make in the name of your pet.
Much depends on the needs of your dog, your budget and comfort often play a part for many of us. However, it is best to strive 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 often they contain a high percentage of fillers such as wheat, which although not harmful to your dog per se, have no real benefits.