kitin
09-14-2006, 01:37 AM
For most people, a common topic of discussion is the subject of food and what you can or cannot eat. But what about your dog? Are you worried about the quality of commercially prepared dog food? Are you curious about goes into your dog’s food? Are you wondering if you could be feeding your pooch better? We will get you pointed in the right direction.:)
Nutrition BasicsThe most important point to remember when it comes to feeding your pooch is balance. You want to provide nutritious, complete and balanced meals. It's really fairly basic when you break it down. Dogs require the right amount of macronutrients, micronutrients and moisture to stay healthy and active throughout their lives. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates make up the macronutrients. Vitamins, minerals, and enzymes are considered micronutrients.
Macronutrients are nutrients that your dog’s body requires in large amounts, generally grouped as protein, fat, or carbohydrate.
Protein: As a general rule, your dog requires more protein in her food than you do in yours. Remember that dogs are descended from wolves and their bodies are designed to break down protein easily and efficiently. Most experts agree that dog food should contain no less than 20% protein.
Protein is made up of a variety of amino acids, some essential (because dogs can't make them on their own) and others non-essential (because a dog’s body can make them). The protein in their food helps them grow and develop lean muscle, keeps the immune system healthy and helps the body repair injuries as well as many other tasks.
Fats: The main energy in a dog’s diet is provided by fat. Without adequate sources of fat in their diet, they won't get be able to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins they needs from their food. Ever heard about the importance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids? They are important for dogs too.
Omega-6s keeps their skin, paw pads, nose, and coat healthy. Omega-3s control the inflammatory responses in the skin, soothe dry skin and alleviate the stiffness caused by arthritis. If your dog has frequent skin problem or allergies, opt for food with higher omega-6 content. A good source of omega-6 would be pork. Pork is also hypoallergenic. Just because less fat is better for humans, the same is not necessarily true for dogs. In fact, the right kind and amount of fat does her body good. An adult dog needs a minimum of 5% percent of fat.
Carbohydrates: In order to function properly, every single cell in a dog’s body needs carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are really important for the workings of their brains and muscles, and for the digestion of other nutrients, like fats. It can be broken down into three categories: sugars, starches, and cellulose.
Simple carbohydrates, like cooked brown rice and oatmeal, are easy for dogs to digest. Fiber helps to regulate the amount of water in their large intestine and aids bowel movement. Remember that there's no need to add extra carbohydrates in the form of sugar to their food, though some manufacturers may do so to make it taste better.
Micronutrients are any substance dogs require in really small amounts for proper growth and optimal health; usually, these are vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
Vitamins: Dogs need vitamins just as you do, though in different amounts. Dogs require 14 different vitamins; they need water-soluble ones (like certain B vitamins and Vitamin C) daily as they aren't stored in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins (like Vitamin A, D, E and K) are required regularly, but not necessarily daily as they are stored in the body.
Minerals: The most important major minerals in a dog’s diet are calcium (for muscle contraction), phosphorus (works with calcium to ensure that their bones and teeth are strong), magnesium (helps the body use many other vitamins and minerals and is important for bone growth and development) and sulfur (needed for good joint health). Trace minerals, like iron, iodine, selenium and zinc are required in very small amounts and can be found in meat and grains.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
There are a lot of choices out there in the world when if comes to feeding your dog: kibble, canned food, raw diets, home cooked, and the list goes on. It can be a little overwhelming. Feel like you need some sort of post-secondary degree just to sort it all out? Just what are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of food?
Home Cooked Meals
Pros: Quality possible and controllable; no preservatives.
Cons: May not balanced and complete; inconvenient; time-consuming.
Commercial Dry Food (Kibble)
Pros: Convenient; reasonable price.
Cons: Contains preservatives* and coloring***
Canned Food
Pros: Generally more balanced; sufficient moisture.
Cons: Contains preservatives* and coloring***; generally more expensive.
Table Scraps
Pros: Inexpensive; convenient
Cons: Not balanced; may not be compatible**
Raw Diet (BARF)
Pros: Controllable; no preservatives.
Cons: May contain parasites and bacteria.
*To prevent fats from turning rancid, fat stabilizers (butylated hydroxyanisol & butylated hydroxytolulene) are used. They cause liver and kidney dysfunction.
** Food good for humans may not be good for dogs. Chocolate & onions can be toxic; too much salt irritate digestive system and causes mineral imbalance – can be life-threatening; excess sugar stresses the pancreas and adrenal glands.
*** Red No.40 coloring keeps meat looking fresh – but is a possible carcinogen
References:
- Becker, Ross. "Is your dog's food safe?" Good Dog!, November/December 1995, 7.
- Plechner, Alfred J., DVM, and Martin Zucker. Pet Allergies: Remedies for an Epidemic. Wilshire Book Co., 1986.
- Rouse, Raymond H. "Feed Fats." Petfood Industry, March/April 1987, 7.
- [Wysong, R. L.] Fresh and Whole: Getting Involved in Your Pet's Diet. Midland: Wysong Corporation, 1990.
- Strombeck, Donald. R. Home-Prepared Dog Foods: The Healthful Alternative. Iowa State University Press, 1999. :)
Nutrition BasicsThe most important point to remember when it comes to feeding your pooch is balance. You want to provide nutritious, complete and balanced meals. It's really fairly basic when you break it down. Dogs require the right amount of macronutrients, micronutrients and moisture to stay healthy and active throughout their lives. Proteins, fats, and carbohydrates make up the macronutrients. Vitamins, minerals, and enzymes are considered micronutrients.
Macronutrients are nutrients that your dog’s body requires in large amounts, generally grouped as protein, fat, or carbohydrate.
Protein: As a general rule, your dog requires more protein in her food than you do in yours. Remember that dogs are descended from wolves and their bodies are designed to break down protein easily and efficiently. Most experts agree that dog food should contain no less than 20% protein.
Protein is made up of a variety of amino acids, some essential (because dogs can't make them on their own) and others non-essential (because a dog’s body can make them). The protein in their food helps them grow and develop lean muscle, keeps the immune system healthy and helps the body repair injuries as well as many other tasks.
Fats: The main energy in a dog’s diet is provided by fat. Without adequate sources of fat in their diet, they won't get be able to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins they needs from their food. Ever heard about the importance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids? They are important for dogs too.
Omega-6s keeps their skin, paw pads, nose, and coat healthy. Omega-3s control the inflammatory responses in the skin, soothe dry skin and alleviate the stiffness caused by arthritis. If your dog has frequent skin problem or allergies, opt for food with higher omega-6 content. A good source of omega-6 would be pork. Pork is also hypoallergenic. Just because less fat is better for humans, the same is not necessarily true for dogs. In fact, the right kind and amount of fat does her body good. An adult dog needs a minimum of 5% percent of fat.
Carbohydrates: In order to function properly, every single cell in a dog’s body needs carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are really important for the workings of their brains and muscles, and for the digestion of other nutrients, like fats. It can be broken down into three categories: sugars, starches, and cellulose.
Simple carbohydrates, like cooked brown rice and oatmeal, are easy for dogs to digest. Fiber helps to regulate the amount of water in their large intestine and aids bowel movement. Remember that there's no need to add extra carbohydrates in the form of sugar to their food, though some manufacturers may do so to make it taste better.
Micronutrients are any substance dogs require in really small amounts for proper growth and optimal health; usually, these are vitamins, minerals and enzymes.
Vitamins: Dogs need vitamins just as you do, though in different amounts. Dogs require 14 different vitamins; they need water-soluble ones (like certain B vitamins and Vitamin C) daily as they aren't stored in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins (like Vitamin A, D, E and K) are required regularly, but not necessarily daily as they are stored in the body.
Minerals: The most important major minerals in a dog’s diet are calcium (for muscle contraction), phosphorus (works with calcium to ensure that their bones and teeth are strong), magnesium (helps the body use many other vitamins and minerals and is important for bone growth and development) and sulfur (needed for good joint health). Trace minerals, like iron, iodine, selenium and zinc are required in very small amounts and can be found in meat and grains.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
There are a lot of choices out there in the world when if comes to feeding your dog: kibble, canned food, raw diets, home cooked, and the list goes on. It can be a little overwhelming. Feel like you need some sort of post-secondary degree just to sort it all out? Just what are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of food?
Home Cooked Meals
Pros: Quality possible and controllable; no preservatives.
Cons: May not balanced and complete; inconvenient; time-consuming.
Commercial Dry Food (Kibble)
Pros: Convenient; reasonable price.
Cons: Contains preservatives* and coloring***
Canned Food
Pros: Generally more balanced; sufficient moisture.
Cons: Contains preservatives* and coloring***; generally more expensive.
Table Scraps
Pros: Inexpensive; convenient
Cons: Not balanced; may not be compatible**
Raw Diet (BARF)
Pros: Controllable; no preservatives.
Cons: May contain parasites and bacteria.
*To prevent fats from turning rancid, fat stabilizers (butylated hydroxyanisol & butylated hydroxytolulene) are used. They cause liver and kidney dysfunction.
** Food good for humans may not be good for dogs. Chocolate & onions can be toxic; too much salt irritate digestive system and causes mineral imbalance – can be life-threatening; excess sugar stresses the pancreas and adrenal glands.
*** Red No.40 coloring keeps meat looking fresh – but is a possible carcinogen
References:
- Becker, Ross. "Is your dog's food safe?" Good Dog!, November/December 1995, 7.
- Plechner, Alfred J., DVM, and Martin Zucker. Pet Allergies: Remedies for an Epidemic. Wilshire Book Co., 1986.
- Rouse, Raymond H. "Feed Fats." Petfood Industry, March/April 1987, 7.
- [Wysong, R. L.] Fresh and Whole: Getting Involved in Your Pet's Diet. Midland: Wysong Corporation, 1990.
- Strombeck, Donald. R. Home-Prepared Dog Foods: The Healthful Alternative. Iowa State University Press, 1999. :)