When you decide to get a dog, you're choosing to enrich your family with a new member who will love you unconditionally. And since you always want the best for your family, you’ll certainly want to provide your dog with the best conditions. The right food, your attention, and a proper environment for development will make both of you equally happy because you'll spend a long (dog) life together.
Out of your dog’s basic needs, the one that has the greatest impact on its life expectancy is food. Contrary to popular belief, a dog, although omnivorous, cannot eat "anything." In fact, it can, but it shouldn’t, because an inadequate diet can lead to diseases and even the premature death of your four-legged friend.
So, what should a healthy diet consist of? A healthy diet doesn’t necessarily depend on the form of food you choose for your dog, but rather on its content. Of course, every dog has different nutritional needs depending on size, breed, and age. These are specific needs that you should discuss with your veterinarian to be well-informed from the start.
Next, it is crucial to read the labels carefully. It's pointless to know what your dog needs if you don’t ensure that the food you offer provides the necessary nutrients.
In general, a balanced canine diet should include:
- Amino acids: Of the 22 amino acids your four-legged friend needs to survive, its body can produce only 12, meaning it has to get the other 10 from food.
- Proteins: These are essential for puppies’ growth, muscle development and maintenance, fur and nails, as well as for the proper functioning of the immune system and hormone production.
- Fatty acids: Specifically Omega 3 and Omega 6, an important source of energy.
- Vitamins and minerals
- Carbohydrates: Another source of energy for the body.
Considering how many aspects you need to cover with the food you give your dog, an age-old question arises, one that has been around since dog food started being marketed: wet or dry food?
The decision is entirely up to you, and the deciding factor is often the price. Indeed, dry food is less expensive than wet food, is less perishable, and is particularly beneficial for your dog’s teeth. Plus, the nutritional information for this type of food is quite accurate.
Unfortunately, there is one big "BUT": dry food is less tasty and less hydrating. Any dog will be much happier to receive a juicy can of food than a bowl of kibble. That’s why some advocate for a mix of wet and dry food.
What should your dog never eat? Now that we’ve established what your dog’s food should contain, it’s very important to emphasize that there are forbidden foods, as most people tend to supplement dog food with a variety of options. Some choose raw meat, others boiled vegetables, and some tend to be very generous, sharing everything they eat with their dog. This decision is completely wrong, as it can lead to illness and even the premature death of your dog. The fairly long list of forbidden foods includes chocolate, dairy products, raw eggs, raw fish, and grapes.
Another negative effect of feeding your dog inappropriate foods is weight gain. An overweight dog may seem cute, but it is much more prone to diseases and often has a shorter life expectancy than a dog that fits within the growth parameters of its breed.
We are what we eat, and so are our dogs! When we talk about food, we say we know how important it is, but this isn’t always true. However, when it comes to our best friend, it’s our responsibility to offer the best type of food. The dog can’t do the shopping in the supermarket, nor can it hunt for its food. Its health and life depend on our choices, and we have a duty to ensure they are the right ones.
