How can you tell that your dog is happy? There are many factors that affect the happiness of a dog like clean shelter, comfy bedding, daily walks, lots of playtime and a nutritious meal. To sum it up – a healthy dog is a happy
It is hard to believe that everything your dog needs can be found in one can or bag. Before dogs were domesticated, they existed for hundreds of years without commercial dog food and survived on animals they caught. Therefore, the most natural food for dogs must be protein rich. Proteins take care your dog’s metabolism, growth and development. Dogs rely on protein as a source of energy and it’s essential for building muscles, enzymes, and anti-bodies. In addition, there are vital amino acids in protein that your dog cannot produce on its own, that’s why they should always be part of your dog’s diet.
Chicken, beef, pork, lamb and turkey are some of the most common meat fed to dogs. As dogs vary in size and age so too does the amount of protein they need. Generally, puppies need 28% protein, adult dogs need 18% and performance dogs need 25%. You can tell if your dogs lack protein as they tend to be underweight and have a dry coat. On the other hand, dogs with kidney problems have more protein that they actually need. Fat is also essential in a dog’s diet; It performs many wonders like absorbing fat-soluble vitamins like A, E, D and K, and helps maintain a healthy coat, skin, eyes and brain function.
Another important source of nutrition you must look into if you want to make healthy dog food is carbohydrates. Fruits and vegetables contain carbohydrates and the fibre essential for stamina and calorie production. But be sure to steam the vegetables first and chop them into bite size pieces so it can be easily digested by your dog. Remember too, not all fruits and vegetables are recommended for dogs. Onions, avocadoes and grapes in particular should be avoided.
Now that you know the essentials in making healthy dog food, allergies and illnesses won’t be a major concern anymore. Instead of decoding the exact contents of a bag of commercial dog food and feeding your dog cheap sources of protein, fat and carbohydrates – prepare a nutritious meal from scratch and your reward will be a healthy, active and happier dog.
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