![]() ![]() Whenever you change your dog’s food, whether to a homemade diet or a new commercial food, a gradual switch is best to avoid upsetting your dog’s GI system. When you buy ingredients for your dog’s homemade meals, you need to pay as much attention to the source, expiration dates, and labels as you do when you buy food for yourself. Those experts will consider your dog’s age, size, and health history and help you identify a high-quality recipe that is tailored to meet your dog’s specific nutritional needs. If you’ve decided to transition your dog to a homemade diet, your first step should be to consult a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist. Water: We sometimes overlook this important ingredient of a healthy dog’s diet, but there really is no dog food that contains enough water for your dog. Copper (whole grains, seeds, and seafood) for healthy bone growth.Selenium (meat, vegetables, seafood, brown rice) to boost the immune system.Zinc (eggs, lamb, liver, brewer’s yeast) for the immune system, healthy skin, and coat.Iodine (dairy, kelp, seafood) for a healthy thyroid.Iron (red meats, poultry) for supporting red blood cells and the immune system.Sulfur (meat, fish, molasses) for healthy skin, coat, and nails.Magnesium, potassium, sodium, and chloride (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and cell signaling.Calcium (tofu, green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower) and phosphorus (meat, eggs) for strong bones and teeth.Minerals: There are 12 essential minerals for dogs: Vitamins dogs require include A ( carrots, pumpkin), B vitamins (liver, green vegetables, whole grains), C ( fruits and vegetables, organ meat), D (liver, fish, beef), E (leafy green vegetables, liver, bran, plant oils), K (fish, leafy green vegetables, fish), and choline (liver, fish, meats, egg yolks). Vitamin deficiencies can cause a variety of health problems however, they can also be dangerous in large quantities. Vitamins: Vitamins are required for growth and maintenance. Good sources of fiber for dogs include carrots, pumpkin, apples, dark leafy greens, brown rice, and flaxseed. Sources include rice, pasta, oatmeal, and quinoa.įiber: Dogs need fiber in their diet to keep their gastrointestinal (GI) system functioning and to help them from becoming overweight. Sources of fatty acids include plant-based oils, including corn, soybean, canola, and flaxseed oil, as well as fish oil.Ĭarbohydrates: Dogs get some of their energy from carbohydrates, which include sugars, starches, and dietary fibers. Fatty acids support the function and structure of cells, keep skin and coat healthy, and enhance the taste of the food. A healthy diet supplies the fatty acids the dog’s body doesn’t manufacture. Sources of protein include chicken and turkey, after removing bones, fat, and skin beef and lamb pork in limited amounts salmon and some other fish such as whitefish, herring, walleye, flounder, and Arctic char.įats and fatty acids: The most concentrated sources of fats in a dog’s diet come from animal fats and plant seed oils. This is necessary for the creation of glucose, which transforms into energy. Protein: According to the ACVN, dogs must have protein in their diets that contain 10 specific essential amino acids their bodies can’t produce. Here are important ingredients for the canine diet. Understanding the basics of what makes a homecooked diet balanced for your dog will help when you discuss the options with an expert. “Pregnant and lactating dogs also have unique dietary requirements that may not be addressed by a recipe found on the internet.” If young dogs don’t receive the appropriate amount of calcium and phosphorus, significant bone abnormalities may result,” says Dr. “We generally don’t recommend homemade diets for a dog less than one-year-old. Also, there are dogs for whom a homemade diet may not be appropriate or might even be damaging. The American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) warns that your dog’s unique nutritional requirements will depend on the age, size, health, and breed. This is why some owners prefer to feed pre-made fresh food. However, the experts say that many of those recipes were not reviewed by veterinary nutritionists to make sure they provide a nutritional, well-balanced diet for your dog. You may think that sounds unnecessary when there are so many recipes for homecooked dog meals available on the internet. Are you considering switching your dog to a homemade diet? A good place to begin is by discussing it with your veterinarian and/or a veterinary nutritionist. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |