When you go to buy dog food you should make sure that the foods being compared include all of the necessary components dogs need for good health and nutrition.
Dogs need several nutrients to survive, namely: amino acids from proteins, fatty acids and carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. So check the foods you are comparing to make sure they contain all of the essentials.
Here is a brief review of the nutrients that your dog needs.
Amino Acids from Protein – There are 10 essential amino acids that dogs cannot survive without eating. Dogs can often tell when a food lacks amino acids and will avoid eating it. To get these amino acids your dog food should contain quality protein from animals rather than “animal byproducts”.
Fatty Acids – Dogs cannot create the fatty acids and must also ingest enough dietary fats to provide for internal body functions such as, cell structure and function, resistance to infections, vision and brain function. Puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs need more than twice the amount a normal adult dog needs.
Carbohydrates – Dogs get some of their energy (calories) from carbohydrates. According to studies an adult dog’s diet can include up to 50% carbohydrates with preferably no more that 2.5-4.5% coming from fibers that contribute little by way of energy or nutrition.
Puppies require more than twice as many calories than an active adult dog. Pregnant Dogs require one to two-thirds more. Nursing dogs may require 2-4 times as many calories as an adult dog depending on the number of puppies and how long they have been nursing.
Vitamins & Minerals – Vitamins and minerals known to be essential to your dogs health include: Folic Acid and Choline, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chlorine, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Manganese, Selinium and Iodine Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B1, Riboflavin, Vitamin b5, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B12.
These are neccessary for strong bones and teeth, nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, cell signaling and enzymatic reactions.
Once you know that the dog foods you are comparing include these essentials, you can then focus your dog food comparison efforts on the quality and quantities provided by each prospective dog food source.
pet food is a difficult area to provide advice on, everyone has their particular brand to recommend. The best people to take advice from are breeders and vets.
There is a lot of confusion about a species appropriate diet for dogs. The “why” is that we have crossed the line between science and prolific industry propaganda. Since the 1950s vast sums of money have been poured into shaping public perception because the profits are enormous. Not to mention that “we the people” have a tendency towards anthropomorphism, and convenience is a driving force.
For unbiased scientific information see the “Ol’ Shep’s Plight: Diet” article at: http://achinook.squarespace.com/
There is also a “lighter” fabricated “Dr. P. Kibble Interview.”
My best to you and yours,
Lee C