How to Keep Your Dog Healthy
What is a dog in terms of its anatomy and digestive physiology?
The placement of its eyes, unlike those of a horse, its teeth, short intestines and high enzymatic activity clearly indicate one thing – it is a predator. More precisely, the dog is a lover of fatty meat. Fats provide it with important fatty acids, protect its organs and are the most important source of energy. Carbohydrates also provide it with energy, as well as provide food for intestinal bacteria and ensure the necessary movement in the intestines. It needs proteins as a building material for cell renewal and growth.
This means, therefore, that dog food must contain fats, proteins and carbohydrates in the correct ratio.
Too much fat or carbohydrates can negatively impact your dog’s weight, gut bacteria, or digestion, while too much protein can cause behavioral changes or put undue strain on the liver or kidneys in the long term.
Thus, it is obvious that a balanced diet, selected in accordance with the biological characteristics of the species, is of great importance for the health of your four-legged friend.
Therefore, a balanced diet should consist of ingredients of animal and plant origin.
Possible sources of protein include beef, chicken, lamb, horse or rabbit. Meat, as a source of protein, is highly bioavailable and is particularly easy to digest. Fish meat that does not contain thiaminase is also beneficial for healthy dog nutrition; salmon and other types of fish provide the body with important vitamin D and omega-3 and -6 fatty acids.
Plant components can consist of carbohydrate sources such as potatoes, millet and rice, as well as raw fiber such as zucchini, carrots, dandelion, etc. The fresher the ingredients and the less processed they are, the higher their value. In a fresh, unheated state, antioxidants can effectively protect the body from free radicals. And your dog will stay healthy for a long time!
A person as an owner faces a difficult task – from all the offers that are presented as “healthy” by advertising, pet stores, experts on social networks or a veterinarian, to choose food that meets the individual needs of the dog. After all, not all dogs are the same!
It is important to take into account the individual needs of your dog. For example, age, physical condition, pregnancy and lactation, illness or allergies can significantly affect the choice of appropriate nutrition.
The needs of a young dog are different from those of an adult, and an older dog is significantly different from an active sports dog or a service dog.
So, if a dog is allergic to wheat, it should be fed grain-free food. If it already suffers from the disease of civilization – diabetes, it is time to pay attention to the low starch content in the food. It always makes sense to study, compare and critically evaluate the composition of the food.
