Choosing a Healthy Dog Food

Thanks to commercial dog food companies, feeding your dog is not an easy thing to do anymore.  If you want to ensure your dog has a long, happy life you must give your dog a good, healthy dog food.

In order for your dog to remain healthy, you need a high-quality dog food with a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and minerals.  An all-natural dog food would be best for your dog's health. (a good place for natural dog food is the The Only Natural Pet Store) Most commercial dog foods on the market now are usually made with a lot of additives and preservatives so you must know how to choose healthy dog food to keep your dog in good health.

Protein is one of the most important nutrients that dog food must contain. It is important to choose a healthy dog food that contains enough protein to fulfill your dog's needs.  A dog’s diet should contain around 40% protein. Protein is essential for dog’s muscle development and regulation of antibodies. Some sources of protein are meat, poultry, fish and soy beans.

Your dog food should contain an adequate amount of  carbohydrates. Depending on your dog's breed and size, some dogs do better with more carbs in their diet than others, and some do better on grain-free foods with alternative sources.  Carbohydrates also include starches and sugar that can be converted into usable energy, but too many carbs is not healthy and would be stored as fat and may cause obesity, digestion problems, as well as other health problems.  Good sources of carbohydrates are rice, oats, barley, potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, millet etc.

Quality is very important, since grains deemed unfit for human consumption (often contaminated with mold) can legally still be used for animal feed.

Fat is also needed when you get to choose healthy dog food. Good sources of fat are vegetable oil, fish and meat. Omega-3 fatty acids are important for keeping a healthy skin and may help in the restoration of other health problems like inflammation and blood clotting.

Like humans, dogs also need vitamins and minerals. Choose healthy dog food rich in vitamins and minerals which are essential in dog’s development and for fighting diseases. For instance, Vitamin A is important for proper vision and for bone and teeth development. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium and Vitamin E has anti-oxidant properties to eliminate toxins in the dog’s body. Minerals like calcium and magnesium are good for teeth and bones strength as well as for the normal functioning of the heart. Try getting good, high-quality natural vitamins & supplements at The Only Natural Pet Store.

Water is also essential for the digestion and transportation of nutrients; it also helps in the regulation of body temperature.

Knowing how to choose healthy dog food will not only prolong your dog's life, but it also gives you a peace of mind knowing your he/she is healthy and well protected against diseases brought by unhealthy dog foods.