Choosing the Best Dog Food For Your Puppy

Dog food is food intended and specially formulated for personal consumption by dogs as well as other pets and breeds. Dogs are typically considered to be obligate carnivores with an indiscriminate carnivorous tendency. Humans are considered omnivorous, which means they eat various types of foods that are not specific to any one category such as meat, poultry, fish, etc. Dogs however are different as they eat both meat and plant-based products such as eggs, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates among other things.

In order for dogs to have healthy, long lives, their nutrient and calorie content need to be balanced. An ideal dog food contains protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The best dog food also contains high levels of antioxidants like Vitamin E, beta carotene, flavonoids, resveratrol, and some other potent compounds that help prevent premature aging and certain diseases. It should also contain enough carbohydrates and fibers so that dogs do not suffer from excessive weight gain. Aside from providing proper nutrition, dog food should also be free of toxins and have good bacteria to help maintain the digestion system of the pets.

Puppy mills and dog breeding farms use overcrowded and unhygienic conditions to produce unhealthy products for dogs. Feeds given to such animals are low in quality and do not contain necessary nutrients for the growing puppies. As a result, many dogs die because of complications brought about by inadequate nutrition. It is best to feed healthy, active dogs only with premium quality dog food.

There are several dog foods that are made especially for use by puppies. These dog foods are usually made with corn, wheat, or soy in order to make them more digestible. Unlike dog foods intended for mature dogs, puppy formulas usually lack meat. In fact, most puppy formulas lack meat altogether so they can be more easily digested. However, since they are still small, puppy dog foods tend to be high in calories and fat.

Brain development in puppies is highly dependent on essential fatty acids. These fatty acids are found in fish, flax seeds, walnuts, canola oil, and salmon. However, these nutrients can be depleted when dogs eat a lot of chicken, beef, or eggs. For this reason, a good choice would be to feed your dogs with food that has a higher percentage of omega-3 fatty acids like salmon or tuna. Fish contains three times the amount of omega-3 fatty acids as pork; consequently, feeding your dogs with fish could help improve brain function.

Another nutrient that dogs may not get enough of is protein. Meat and fish are rich sources of protein but many dogs may not be able to ingest enough of it. To compensate for this lack of protein in their diet, dog food manufacturers include meats and bones in their dog food formulas. Unfortunately, this protein may not be bioavailable to the dog.

Dogs may also have nutritional deficiencies due to a genetic disorder. It has been shown that dogs bred for certain diseases are at a greater risk of developing those diseases. The best dog food for dogs with genetic disorders may include a balanced diet and an ample amount of vitamins and minerals. Nutrition is extremely important, but proper nutrition may help prevent the development of the disease in the first place.

Many dog foods are nutritionally inadequate, especially in the first weeks after a puppy is born. Most of these inferior dog foods contain only a small number of healthy nutrients necessary for puppies. Puppies usually need their first six weeks of life on the right foods to ensure their health. The best food for this time period should provide a balanced combination of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and essential vitamins and minerals.