Dogs Need Good Food Too – Your Guide To Your Dog's Diet
Author: Jack Russell

Dogs' nutritional needs may differ from ours. What we deem as
healthy for us might not sufficient or appropriate for them. To
give your dog the best nutrition available you will have to
understand their specific needs and how to address them. After
all, taking care of man's best friend does take a little
preparation and know-how.

Your dog needs the essential nutrients to grow, go, and glow.
If your dog does not receive proper nutrients it may result in
poor health, stunted growth, lethargy and shortened lifespan.

Dogs like most animal life forms need the six basic nutrients
for survival: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and
minerals. These nutrients serve different functions in
sustaining the health and well-being of your dog. This guide
will elaborate on dogs' need of these nutrients.

1. Proteins: the building blocks of your dog's health
Proteins are chemicals made of amino acids. Your dog can
produce some of these chemicals in their own bodies. The rest
has to be supplied through food. The best sources of these
amino acids are meat and its byproducts. Dogs can extract
proteins from these sources a lot easier than it would with
plant sources.

Choose feeds that have an adequate amount of protein in them to
help your puppies and working dogs grow. Too much of this,
however, may cause kidney problems and has been known to cause
temperament problems.

2. Fats: delivering other nutrients to the body
Fat sound like a bad word – everyone tries to avoid it because
it causes tons of health problems. Dogs, however, just like
man, also have a need for these nutrients – albeit in a
moderate amount.

The right amount of fat is needed to promote good skin health,
and to transport fat-soluble vitamins. Fats are also essential
to kidney function and reproductive health. They make food
tastier too. Too much fat will result in obesity and lethargy.


3. Carbohydrates: doggie fuel
Fifty percent of your dog's diet should consist of
carbohydrates since they need it for their energy. Corn is one
of the more popular sources of this nutrient, along with
soybeans. If this source is clean and of good nutritional
quality then that should be fine as well.

4. Vitamins and Minerals: keeping your dog healthy
It would have been easier if your dog only had to splurge on
vitamins and minerals to get optimal health. However, the
opposite is true. Your dog needs an exact amount of vitamins
and minerals to be healthy. Although, your dog may receive
these nutrients from food, vitamin supplements for your dogs
could be helpful. Specially formulated commercial feeds also
make it easier for dog owners to give their dogs good
nutrition.


About The Author: Jack Russell is a a long time dog fancier,
visit his Dog Resources Blog and download his Free Dog Owners
Handbook - it's Dog Gone Good!
http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/dogcare