To most of us, dogs are an important part of our family. The joy and excitement that they spread in our homes can never be described and their love is unconditional. It’s no wonder that we take the utmost care to make sure that they stay healthy, fit and happy. Though some of us prefer to give our canine friends home-cooked food, it could lack a nutritional balance most of the time.
To give your dog a diet that has the right amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients at home, the ingredients of each meal needs to be planned carefully. That could be time consuming and expensive. Considering that home-cooked diet could still lack some of the essential nutrients you might have to add vitamin and nutritional supplements.
Most of the commercial pet food including dog food contains a wide range of ingredients with the right amount of nutrients or added nutrients. You can check out the different kinds of dog food at www.betsyfarms.com to choose the right ones for your furry companion. What are some of the important ingredients included in dog food?
Different kinds of meat
Most of the meat including beef, chicken, lamb, pig, and rabbit are rich in proteins. Besides, meats are also excellent sources of iron, vitamin B, essential fats, and iron. Some of the dog foods are prepared using animal parts like bones, liver, heart, and feet that are ground or using fresh meats that are dried to get rid of excess moisture. Most of the dog foods that are highly nutritious will have the name of the meat as the first ingredient on its list of ingredients.
Eggs and dairy products
Some of the pet food contains milk products and cheese on its list of ingredients. Dairy products can supply your dog with different vitamins and calcium. Besides, eggs and dairy products also include proteins of high quality that are easily digestible.
Different kinds of fish
Fish used in pet foods are generally classified into oily fish and white fish. Sardine, tuna, mackerel, salmon, herring, and trout are some of the common oily fishes and cod, sole, and haddock belong to the category of white fishes. Fish contains iodine and since the ground form of fish including its bones are used in dog food, they get enough supply of phosphorous and calcium too. Oily fish are excellent sources of omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins D and A. Besides, they are rich in good quality proteins too.
Grains and carbohydrates in dog food
Some of the dog food has grains and carbohydrates as minor ingredients on its list. Nutrients like niacin and thiamine, a certain amount of protein and a good amount of energy are supplied by these grains and carbohydrates. Rice, wheat, soy, beans, corn, oats and barley are some sources of carbohydrates included in the dog food. Including grains in the dog’s diet improves its digestion. Including fibers like rice bran can be beneficial to your dog’s digestive track too.
Fruits and vegetables in your dog’s diet
Including fruits like blueberry and apple in the dog food supplies your dog with a good amount of fiber. However, avoid giving fruits like cherries or grapes to your dog, as they could be poisonous and toxic to dogs. Vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals so including vegetables as an added ingredient in dog food would benefit their health. Vegetables like onions, mushroom, and garlic are highly toxic to dogs so make sure that you avoid it in your dog’s diet.
Fats and oils in dog food
The right amount of fat and oils are necessary for your dog. They supply your dog with energy and help to absorb vitamins in the body. Fats and oils are also important for reproduction, good functioning of the kidney, optimal health and to get a healthy and shiny coat. Fish oil, vegetable oil, soybean oil, chicken and pork are some of the common sources of fats.
Additional ingredients
- Vitamin and mineral supplements
The essential minerals and vitamins are necessary for your dog to keep their blood cells and nerves healthy. They also support the immune system, the process of digestion, and metabolism.
- Sodium and chloride supplements
- Sugars
- Antioxidants
- Additives and preservatives
- Water
Dog food, in general, has a combination of carbohydrates, fats, and oils, minerals, proteins, vitamins, and preservatives to ensure that it supplies your dog with enough enrichment. Each ingredient has a role to play in keeping your dog healthy. Choose a combination of ingredients that works well for your dog.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
