Facts About Nutrition – Choosing Working Dog Food Supplies
Facts About Nutrition – Choosing Working Dog Food Supplies
Nutritional requirements for all canines are the same. They need protein, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, and vitamins. Working dogs need extra protein and fat for extra energy. By-products contain high rates of empty calories. An active working canine may not be able to eat enough bulk to maintain a healthy level of nutrition and energy if fed a diet high in by-products.
Protein is the building block of good health. Good sources include meat, fish, and eggs. Fat is an excellent source of concentrated energy. It adds flavor to the meal and puts the shine in the dog’s coat. Dogs don’t suffer hardening of the arteries. They burn fat rapidly, twice as fast as people do. We need higher percentages of carbohydrates for increased energy and stamina. Athletic dogs need more fat. Animal fat or vegetable oil will do.
Some experts classify canines as modified carnivores. They munch on soft grass shoots and eagerly eat the grain-filled stomach contents of prey animals. In moderate amounts, grains processed at high temperatures are an easy to digest carbohydrate providing a ready source of fiber and calories.
Vitamins play an essential role in regulating body processes. Vitamin C and E can replace artificial preservatives. Minerals build strong bones. The AAFCO, Association of American Feed Control Officials, sets standards for dog nutrition. Look for their seal of approval. This is a minimum standard. Your working dog will need more fat and protein.
The 1st ingredient in any dog food should be meat. Meat meal is simply dried meat with fat and water content removed and is an acceptable source of protein. Meat by-products should be avoided. These can be empty calories from hooves and hair that can’t be properly digested.
It’s necessary to do a little math to determine the protein actually available to your dog. To determine the dry matter subtract the water content listed from 100. Then find the guaranteed analysis percentage on the label, and divide this number by the dry matter percentage. Working dogs should eat a diet with 25-30% protein content.
A healthy dog should have a well-defined waist with a layer of fat over the ribcage. Your dog is the right weight if you can feel his ribs and backbone, but not see them. Keep your dog eating well by feeding a consistent diet as dogs have sensitive digestive systems. Add fat and protein but don’t change the basic diet of your dog while at work. Keep treats to less than 15% of total calories.
Veterinarians, retail pet stores, and online venues all offer a wide variety of dietary choices. Carefully checking the ingredients, choose from commercial dry food, natural and organic products, raw food diets, and canned foods. Canned meat and raw food diets are fresher and higher in protein but spoil easily. Make sure the food supply you take to work won’t spoil en route. For dogs in endurance activities, some dry dog foods are available that are sprayed with extra fat after processing bringing the fat content up to 40%. Consult a vet nutritionist if you want to feed your working dog a homemade diet. Be safe and be sure your working dog food supplies provide all the essential nutrients your athletic canine needs for good health.
