Dog Nutrition : A Guide to the Nutrients in Dog Food
Being a pet owner can sometimes be hectic as you are always tense about the food that your little fur friend might intake. Dogs are beautiful creatures and are required to be taken care of very carefully. Dogs cannot eat all kinds of food like us humans, so the food that is given to them must be free from all the components that will harm their health.
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If you are a new pet owner or a pet parent, then you are most likely to search for the best information regarding the food that you will be giving to your pet. So this article will help you to understand the difference between natural and organic food for dogs; therefore, you will get a clear understanding of what to serve to your little fur baby.
Before beginning this article, let us get a brief overview of the key components of dog nutrition. The components that must be there in your dog’s food are minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. So as we are talking about the key nutrients that must be present in your dog food, let us also see what all food contains these.
The Role of Proteins in Dog Food
Just like human beings, proteins contribute to the entire development of your pet besides maintaining a healthy body. It helps in protecting the organs and helps in good maintenance of the tissues and muscles. Proteins are very important for the immune system as they are shields from any kind of allergy, disease, or infection that might happen to your dog.
As we are discussing natural food for dogs, the foods that contain the proper amount of proteins are eggs, meat, fish, plant related food like lentils and soybeans. So this is one of the nutrients that is contained in natural food, so make sure your fur friend intakes them in proper amounts.
The Role of Fats in Dog Food
Fats are the most important source of energy when we talk about serving it to our pets. Fats play a vital role in the absorption of minerals and vitamins. I have mentioned earlier as well that nutrients are very important for the overall function and maintenance of your pet, so here, fats are responsible for maintaining shiny skin and proper brain functioning.
When you are serving food to your dog, make sure there is a limited amount of fat and not in abundance, as it is harmful in other ways too. Foods that contain fat are chicken fat, fish oil, and sources of flaxseed.
The Role of Carbohydrates in Dog Food
Carbohydrates are one very important compound for dogs as it is a source of many body organs, including the brain.
Digestible carbohydrates are the primary source of energy, and if they are not provided to the body, other nutrients, such as proteins, are used by the body to extract glucose which then helps as an energy source.
A regular supply of digestible carbohydrates allows the protein to be stored and used for other important purposes, such as body growth, rather than energy production.
Potatoes, peas, and brown rice are some healthy carbohydrate choices that can be given to dogs as homemade food, which will fulfill the required amount of nutrients in dogs.
The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Dog Food
We all know the importance of vitamins and minerals in a human’s body; similarly, it has the same importance in your pet’s growth and development.
Vitamins are basically organic compounds that are used by the body to repair and maintain any deficiencies.
Some important vitamins needed in dogs are:
Vitamin D
It is one of the important vitamins a dog requires. It helps dogs maintain healthy bone and muscle growth. It is vital in improving and maintaining the immune system, especially in little puppies.
Vitamin E
This vitamin is a fat-soluble vitamin used for the growth of young dogs or puppies.
Its deficiency can be lethal and can cause muscle degeneration and reproductive problems in dogs.
Vitamin K
It is another fat-soluble vitamin that is helpful in blood clotting.
Vitamin C
Dogs tend to get injured, which causes inflammation. Vitamin C works in reducing inflammation in dogs and also improves immune function.
Chlorine is another important requirement in dogs, which aids in important liver and brain functions.
Difference Between Natural and Organic Food for Dogs
Natural foods are the ones that do not have any kind of mixture and are grown in a clear and natural way. Whereas organic foods are the ones that require some sort of help to grow and get into the perfect shape. Natural foods are fruits, vegetables, and meat that grow naturally without being influenced by any other external help, and organic foods are the ones that are made perfect with the help of injections, pesticides, and other ingredients.
So now I think the differences were clear enough to you, and you no longer have any confusion. Keeping that in mind, here in this section of the article, I will be mentioning some important organic pet food brands that are beneficial to your dog as well as a briefing on organic food. So continue reading!
Some of the best organic food brands for pets, and you can go through each of them individually when you search for the best pet food brand for your dog.
- Tender and True Organic Dog Food.
- Gather Free Acres Dog Food.
- Castor and Pollux Organix Organic Dog Food.
- Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Dog Food.
- Newman’s Own Organic Dog Food.
- Stella and Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Dinners.
- Carna4 Dog Food.
- Organix Butcher and Bushel Dog Food.
Conclusion
Dogs require a balanced diet for healthy growth throughout their life. This article sheds light on basic dog nutrition and what foods can offer those in a more balanced way.
You will learn about the role of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals in a dog’s overall healthy growth.
Happy Feeding!
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