| Although there are some sites that claim to provide | | | | dog's diet can include as much as fifty percent |
| information or comparisons of different types of dog | | | | carbohydrates. (Note: Since much of the fiber |
| food, most are created and run by dog food | | | | provides no real nutritional value for your dog it is if |
| companies and are just a marketing gimmick designed | | | | no more than five percent of the total quantity |
| to put their particular brand in a good light in order to | | | | comes from fiber. |
| increase sales. If you are looking for dog food | | | | 4) Minerals: The essential minerals include: Calcium, |
| comparisons or ratings that will give you a quick | | | | Copper, Choline, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium, |
| answer to your question, you will no probably end up | | | | Chlorine, Iron, Potassium, Zinc, Manganese, Selenium |
| frustrated and more confused then when you | | | | and Iodine. |
| started. When comparing dog foods it is important to | | | | 5) Vitamins: The most important vitamins for your |
| focus your attention first on the necessary nutritional | | | | dog's health are as follows: Riboflavin, Niacin, |
| components your dog needs for optimal health and | | | | Pantothenic Acid and Folic Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 |
| second on avoiding ingredients that could be potential | | | | (Also known as Thiamin), Vitamin B5, Vitamin B12, |
| health hazards. | | | | Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K. |
| There are several nutrients dogs need to survive and | | | | These vitamins and minerals mentioned above |
| thrive. The list of essential nutrients includes: | | | | provide the necessary nutrients for muscle |
| 1) amino acids (in proteins), | | | | contraction, nerve impulse transmission, cell signaling, |
| 2) fatty acids (in fat), | | | | enzymatic reactions and strong bones and teeth, just |
| 3) carbohydrates, | | | | to name a few. |
| 4) minerals and | | | | Quantities Vary Depending on Your Dogs Situation |
| 5) vitamins. As an aside, I shouldn't neglect to | | | | Puppies actually need twice the calories required by |
| mention the need for good clean water (preferably | | | | an adult dog and pregnant Dogs require one-half to |
| filtered). Here is a brief review discussing each of the | | | | two-thirds more than an adult dog. The dogs with |
| nutrients that you should be comparing. | | | | the greatest nutritional needs are nursing dogs. A |
| 1) Amino Acids: There are 10 known amino acids that | | | | nursing dog will need two to four times as many |
| dogs must get from food sources since they cannot | | | | calories as a non-nursing dog. The amount they need |
| produce these amino acids on their own. Amino acids | | | | depends on the number of puppies they are nursing |
| come from protein such as meat and eggs. It is | | | | and the length of time they have been nursing. The |
| interesting that dogs will often avoid eating food that | | | | longer they nurse, the greater their nutritional need. |
| has no amino acids. When reading a list of ingredients | | | | On the other hand, older dogs that are less active |
| remember that quality protein comes from animal | | | | may only need 80% of the calories they consumed |
| meat rather than "animal byproducts". | | | | in middle age. |
| 2) Fatty Acids: Another element that your dog | | | | Dog Food Comparison of Quality |
| cannot create internally is fatty acid. Fatty acids are | | | | Ultimately, the food you choose for your dog, |
| necessary to sustain your dog's life and provide for | | | | whether commercial, home made, or a combination, |
| internal functions such as transporting fat-soluble | | | | needs to contain the nutrients stated above. If the |
| vitamins, immune system functions, cellular function, | | | | dog foods you are comparing are missing these |
| brain function, and coat and skin health. | | | | essentials, keep looking. Once you have found the |
| 3) Carbohydrates: While dogs get a lot of their | | | | dog foods that include these essentials, you can |
| energy (calories) from fat they also get a good | | | | narrow them down based on the quality and |
| amount from carbohydrates that are found in fruits, | | | | quantities of the ingredients and nutrients. It's helpful |
| vegetables and grains in the form of glucose, | | | | if you can come up with a few choices in case you |
| fructose, starches and dietary fibers. In fact, an adult | | | | find one or two foods that your dog doesn't like. |