If you’ve been reading blogs for a while now, you’ve probably come across articles that talk about the importance of feeding your dog premium dog food. This is because not all brands make quality dog food available to the public. Most pet food companies focus on meeting the minimum standards required by most regulatory bodies and retailers. In other words, they are price-driven rather than quality driven. And it’s not just dog owners who know this either. Veterinarians, nutritionists, and even sighthounds experts have spoken up about how feeding your dog poor quality or bargain brand pet foods can lead to serious health problems down the road. These problems include obesity, high blood cholesterol levels, digestive issues, joint pain and arthritis, skin problems (including allergies), and even cancer. If you think about it, what could be more important than your dog’s health? Let’s take a look at why feeding your dog premium dog food is a must if you want to keep them healthy and happy for years to come…
What Is “Premium” Dog Food?
Premium dog foods are not necessarily more expensive than other brands. However, they meet certain quality standards and are made with the best ingredients available. These ingredients are the real star of the show. They provide your dog with everything it needs for optimal health and wellbeing. This includes vitamins and minerals, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients. The best pet foods contain all of these ingredients in the right proportions. Premium dog foods are made by companies that have a history of making high-quality products. To make the best dog food possible, these companies need to use the best ingredients available. And, as always, they need to be mindful about costs. This means that premium dog foo-ds are often more expensive than the cheapest brands.
Dogs Are Carnivores, So Why Feed Them Vegetables?
Like humans, dogs are obligate carnivores. This means they are supposed to eat meat as their basic diet. Vegetables are secondary and are consumed as part of an animal’s diet. But, just as many humans in the Western world eat vegetables instead of meat, dogs also need vegetables. These serve a variety of functions. First, they help to prevent diseases caused by a deficiency in vitamins, minerals, or amino acids. But that’s not all. Vegetables are also packed with fibre and water. This means they are great for cleaning your dog’s teeth and bowel. And, most importantly, vegetables are rich in antioxidants.
Your Dog Needs Essential Fatty Acids in Their Diet
Fat provides energy for your dog. It also keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer. Dogs can’t produce their own fat and so rely on the fatty acids in the food they eat for these essential functions. Unfortunately, most dry foods contain low levels of fatty acids. This is because fat is one of the most expensive nutrients. Dry food companies have to cut costs somewhere, and fat is the easiest cut. So, most dry dog foods are low in essential fatty acids. However, most premium dog foods contain high levels of essential fatty acids. These are important for your dog’s health. Dogs with low levels of essential fatty acids are at risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and even certain cancers.
Dogs Need Good Protein to Build and Maintain Their Muscle Mass
It’s easy to get confused about the role of protein in your dog’s diet. After all, plants also contain protein. But, what’s the difference? Plant-based proteins are essential for your dog’s health. But they are not as important as animal-based proteins. Animal-based proteins are often referred to as “complete proteins” because they contain all of the essential amino acids. These are the small molecules that your dog needs to build and maintain muscle mass. Unfortunately, most pet food companies get this one wrong too. They often use soy as a protein source. And dogs (like most mammals) are not equipped to handle high levels of soy protein. This can lead to digestive issues, high blood cholesterol levels, and even certain types of cancers.
Not All Proteins Are Created Equal
“Complete proteins” are the building blocks of your dog’s body. And they need protein to be consumed from dry or canned foods. But there are a few things you should keep in mind. First up, it’s important to ensure that the protein source in your dog’s diet is high quality. You can’t just use any old protein source and expect it to do the trick. And, second, it’s important to consider the source of the protein. Dry protein comes from meat. This means that all of the nutrients are loaded into the original source. However, canned protein is often corn or soy. This means that a lot of the minerals and vitamins are lost during processing. This is why a lot of pet food companies are launching a new premium dog food brand. They want to provide a better balanced diet for your dog.
Hay Is Great For YOU, But It’s Not So Great For Your Dog
Many dog owners (and veterinarians) are confused about the benefits of feeding your dog hay. And they are right to be confused. Because hay is great for you, but it’s not so great for your dog. Hay is a botanical that comes from the legume family. This includes peas, lentils, and beans. Hay is rich in fibre and vitamins. And, just like us, dogs have to consume a certain amount of fibre daily to stay regular. This is important because it prevents the build-up of toxins in the gut and softens stools for easy passage. However, many dog owners don’t realise that hay has a high sugar content. And sugar is not tolerated well by canines. This can cause your dog to drink a lot of water. This can lead to a bloated abdomen. And bloated abdomens are never a good thing.
Conclusion
The best way to feed your dog is with premium dog food. This will give them everything they need to live a healthy life and be ready for many years to come. Feeding your dog premium dog food will also keep them healthy and fit for many years to come. Dogs are carnivores – they need meat in their diets. Vegetables and fruits should be consumed as treats only. And, when feeding your dog food, you should make sure to choose a high-quality brand. This will ensure they are getting everything they need to be healthy and happy.