Feed: Animal Fair
Posted on: Thursday, May 09, 2013 20:11
Author: Animal Fair
Subject: What's in Your Dog's Bowl? Hopefully 5 Nutrition Essentials For Dogs..
What's in Your Dog's Bowl? Hopefully 5 Nutrition Essentials For Dogs.. With the health craze sweeping the nation for the past decade, at least in some parts of the country, people have become more and more informed of their diet. We all want to lead healthy lives and well, let's be honest, we want to look good! Shouldn't your pup have those same rights? Are you aware of the nutrition in his diet? According to a recent pet nutrition study, sixty nine percent of dog parents need help understanding their dog's nutritional needs
What's in your Dog's bowl? "When it comes to identifying the right food choice, dog parents need to check the ingredient list for high quality carbohydrates, protein, minerals, vitamins, fats and oils represented in the right balance," said Dr. Chad Dodd, DVM Hill's Pet Nutrition. So, let's break it down to these five essentials. Carbohydrates Just like us, carbs give our pets energy to run and play. While we may not want this at all times, it is essential for a complete diet. So, look on your pet food's ingredients for "whole grains." This will keep the blood sugar stead and more importantly your dog will feel full! Also be on the lookout for 2-3 other sources of carbs, such as brown rice, whole corn, pearled barley, and potato. Minerals Minerals help your dog's body grow, stay strong, and promote good health. Minerals can also be found in whole grains, as well as meats, fruits, and vegetables. Next time you go shopping for pet food, look on the label for, "mineral supplements." Vitamins We all know about these. Our mom's told us to take them as kids, and our doctor's still recommend them. Well, so does the vet. Vitamins provide antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system. Be sure to check for these ingredients: carrots, apples, cranberries, peas, and broccoli. Vitamins are added in the proper balance for your pet's health. Fats and Oils Believe it or not, fats and oils provide energy, help the nervous system function, help with vitamin absorption, and sometimes just make food taste better! The right balance of omega-3 and omega-6 promote heart health, healthier skin and coat, and optimal brain function. Quality sources of fats and oils include soy bean oil, pork fat, and olive oil. Try to avoid fat sources like beef tallow and lard. Protein One of the most essential ingredients for a balanced, healthy diet. They provide the building blocks for your dog's muscles, growth, and energy. There should be at least two quality sources of protein in your dog's meal. So, make sure to check for that! Quality protein sources include chicken, chicken meal, lamb, and fish. Other sources are beef, pork, soybean meal, and eggs. You should be able to spot these right away on your dog's food meal bag. Next time you start worrying about your own health, be sure to check for these essential ingredients. Made with all natural ingredients, Hill's Science Diet Ideal Balance features fresh chicken as its first ingredient and contains whole grains without corn or artificial colors. Ideal Balance provides dog owners a natural food choice while still delivering the right balance of nutrients owners have come to expect from the Science Diet® portfolio of products. MyBowl, a new partnership between two leaders in the pet health space, PetMD and Hill's Science Diet, is an interactive tool to help pet parents understand the right balance of nutrients their dog needs and demystify the back of the dog food bag. So next time you're in the market for a new food, or curious about what's in your current dog food check out MyBowl! What's not to love? For more information check out www.petmd.com. |
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