When it comes to keeping your pup healthy, it’s helpful to know which nutrients make them thrive. Yes, you might understand some things about human nutrition, but doggy nutrition is quite different!
The purpose of this post is to offer some education on the topic. We look at why more dog parents are moving over to raw dog food and how to ensure your pup gets everything they need.
Protein
Top of the list of requirements is protein, similar to humans. Dogs need these compounds to build and repair their muscles and support their immune function. If they don’t get enough of it, they might not have a shiny coat and could become more susceptible to infection.
Dogs are omnivorous but they mostly lean toward carnivores in the wild, which is why so many more dog parents are looking at raw food options. Yes, kibble is okay, but giving dogs real meat and animal products often provides them with more of the nutrients they would have naturally eaten in the wild.
Fats
Dogs need some essential fats, just like people, particularly omega-3 and omega-6. These fats help with their brain development and maintain the quality of their skin and fur.
You don’t want to overload your dog’s diet with fats, but it can be helpful to provide it in the form of fish oil, flax seed, salmon and meat in general.
Dogs don’t require a lot of saturated fat (contrary to popular belief), but they do need some lighter fats, including marine-sourced options.
Carbs
What about carbs?
Surprisingly, dogs also need these, and they are an essential part of their diet (which is why so many dog owners feed their pets pasta). Carbs provide fiber, which keeps dogs regular and supports their gut health. You can feed dogs peas, rice, oats and sweet potatoes, though you’ll want to be careful to avoid giving them anything too exotic.
Vitamins
Another thing you’ll want to look out for in dogs is vitamins. By and large, they require the same micronutrients as we do. For example, dogs need vitamin D to fight off colds and vitamin A to support their bone health. Unlike humans, they make their own vitamin C (which is handy), but it’s always worth providing extra in their diets, just in case they don’t produce enough, especially as they get older.
Minerals
Like us, dogs need a bevy of minerals to build their tissues and carry out chemical processes in the body. For example, they need calcium and phosphorus for their bones and teeth and potassium for a healthy circulatory system. Dogs that don’t get enough of these minerals can start experiencing health problems early, preventing them from living a full and healthy life.
Fibre
Finally, it’s essential for dogs to get enough fiber. If they don’t, it can cause them GI issues that you’ll want to avoid as an owner.
To provide more fibre and reduce diarrhea risk, feed them pumpkin, apples with the seeds removed, and beet pulp.
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