What do dogs eat? Since dogs depend entirely on their food for their nutritional needs, pet foods that are deficient in certain nutrients may cause serious pet health problems. But picking the right food for your dog out of all the choices available today can be overwhelming. There are a few things to take into consideration that can help you choose the best option for the canine member of your family.
Stage of Life
First of all, it’s important that the food you select is appropriate for your dog’s stage of life. A puppy requires higher amounts of calories, protein, vitamins and minerals for proper growth, so an adult dog may become overweight eating puppy food.
Ingredients
Any food is only as good as its ingredients. High-quality ingredients are key to healthy foods.
When pet owners are searching for a healthy dog food, they should review the list of ingredients on the product packaging. By law, pet food labels must include this information. Look for meat, poultry, fish or a meat, poultry or fish meal as the first or second ingredient. All of these items have a high percentage of protein in the form of digestible, usable amino acids.
Industry Standards
To ensure that their dogs’ food is top-notch, dog owners should choose products made by reputable companies with a proven track record for producing safe, high-quality food. The best pet food manufacturers, along with their ingredient suppliers, meet or exceed FDA and USDA quality and safety standards. They also adhere to strict procedures for tracking and monitoring all ingredients used in their products.
Dog owners should also check the label to ensure the pet food meets the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). These nutritional standards represent extensive research in companion animal nutrition and help to ensure pets are benefiting from a complete and balanced diet that supports a healthy lifestyle.
Portioning
When it comes to how much food a dog should eat, dog owners should use the manufacturer’s recommended daily amounts as a guide. Your veterinarian can also help you determine how much food to feed your particular pet. It’s important to note that high-energy, calorie dense diets like Supreme Source™ dog food keeps dogs fuller for longer, which results in less food eaten.
And always remember if you have any questions about your pet’s diet or particular nutritional needs, talk to your veterinarian.
