Theoretically, your dog should get all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs to live a long and healthy life from their food. That is why a balanced diet for dogs is so important. Their food contributes to their overall health, happiness, and quality of life. A poor diet can cause obesity, medical issues, and poor skin and coat quality, while a healthy diet provides your pet with everything it needs to run, jump, play, and remain by your side for as long as possible.
At Pure Peak, our team knows that high-quality nutrition is vital and benefits your dog’s physical and mental health. Our comprehensive nutrition guide can help you understand the importance of a balanced diet for your dog and what you can do to ensure your pup’s needs are met.
What Is a Well-Balanced Diet for Dogs?
All the vitamins and minerals your dog needs should be able to get via a healthy and balanced diet. The Association of American Feed Control Officials is an independent organization that helps guide feed standards to support the health and safety of pets and people. The organization outlines the necessary vitamins and minerals commercially available dog foods should include to give the animal the right balance of the essential vitamins and minerals they need for good health and to thrive.
According to the AAFCO, dogs need specific vitamins and minerals to stay healthy. These include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- B vitamins, including folic acid, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, biotin, and choline
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Iron
- Zinc
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Copper
- Iodine
However, a well-balanced diet for your dog may also depend on your dog’s breed, age, medical conditions, and other unique characteristics of your four-legged friend.
Your dog’s food is important because every nutrient has a purpose. Protein contains at least ten essential amino acids that a dog’s body needs to stay healthy but cannot produce on its own. These acids must be consumed. Vitamin A is essential for vision and growth, while vitamin D promotes muscle function, bone health, and energy levels. Good nutrition is like a house of cards; removing one essential element can cause your dog's health to come crashing down, negatively impacting your dog’s skin, coat, immune system, digestion, or any other bodily functions.
A well-balanced dog diet should include wet or dry food or a combination of both that meets your dog’s unique dietary and medical needs. Working with your veterinarian is the best way to determine what food works for your pet and whether they need the nutrition they need for optimum health.
What Should My Dog Eat Every Day?
Your furry companion needs to eat a well-balanced diet of dog food that addresses your animal’s needs. What does that mean? It means you must consider your dog’s size, breed, activity level, and stage of life before choosing dog food. Puppy food is significantly different from adult kibble. Puppies have specific dietary needs because they are growing and need more vitamins and calories than older dogs. Large breeds may also need different food than smaller-sized dogs. High-energy or working breeds, like border collies, may benefit from a high-protein diet to give them extra energy and provide optimal muscle health.
More and more pet food manufacturers are listening to pet parents who want complete and balanced nutrition. Companies are pouring money into research and development, creating blends that give dogs everything they need to live a tail-wagging, happy, and healthy life. You should feed your dog a healthy diet of high-quality dog food every day. Read the nutrition label carefully and look for brands that meet AAFCO vitamin and mineral standards. Foods that contain real, recognizable ingredients are preferable. Going with wet food or kibble depends on your dog’s dietary and dental needs and budget. Your veterinarian can help you find products that meet your dog’s nutritional needs.
While table scraps and treats are an occasional perk, avoid feeding your dog too much “human” food, which can cause digestive issues and obesity. Also, avoid “fad” dog diets you may find on social media without consulting your veterinarian. Vegan, raw, and grain-free diets may be the latest trends in pet food, but if you don’t do these diets right, you can harm the health and well-being of your forever friend. A lack of grain for example in a dog’s diet has recently been linked to the development of Dilated Cardiomyopathy that can cause congestive heart failure. Working with your veterinarian to determine the right grain and overall diet for your dog is important.
Dogs need the right combination of protein, vitamins, and minerals within their daily diet. While substantial protein sources are available in plant-based diets, without the proper information, you can cheat your dog out of getting enough of this essential nutrient that may come from animal-based protein. Raw diets can also pose significant health hazards to you, your family, and your dog if you jump in without proper evidence-based and peer-reviewed research and guidance from your veterinarian.
A final note: always provide your dog with plenty of fresh water. Hydration is vital to good health.
Does My Dog Need Vitamins or Supplements?
The answer to whether your dog needs vitamins and supplements depends on the health of your pet. Most dogs get everything they need from the food they eat; however, a nutritional boost by providing your dog daily supplemental vitamins and nutrients to maintain or boost good health or address specific health concerns is something to consider.
Talk to your vet about your concerns during your pet’s next wellness visit. A trusted veterinarian can suggest supplements that may improve the quality of your dog’s life. In any stage of life, supplements may support your dog’s health to prevent or delay aging changes that commonly occur such as arthritis and joint pain. Supplementation with ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids provides significant anti-inflammatory effects to support joint, skin, and immune functions throughout your dog’s life. Additionally supporting your dog with CBD oil has promising evidence that may help address anxiety and stress in dogs.
High-Quality Products for Your Pets Are Here
Are you looking for high-quality pet products from a company that cares about your pet as much as you do? At Pure Peak, we ensure our pet products deliver unmatched benefits and meet strict quality standards. No one loves your dog like you do, but we come a close second.
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