Is a Dog's Diet Important?

• A dog's diet is very important. High quality food will keep your dog's internal organs functioning well, his coat shiny and thick and his behavior alert and friendly. In fact, a poor diet is a big contributor to bad behaviors such as hyperactivity or a short attention span, and many veterinarians will recommend switching to a better brand of food as a first step of treatment if your dog is showing signs of common health problems. Overfeeding, along with poor quality food, can also contribute to problems such as hip dysplasia, a common issue in large-breed dogs.
  
  

About Dog Food

• Two generations ago, dogs usually ate leftovers from the dinner table. Two decades ago, cereal companies began to market food made specifically for dogs. Today, there are supermarkets that cater exclusively to pets, with a wide array of choices for food, snacks and treats. With all those choices, how can you know which food is best for your own dog?
  
  Many foods market themselves for specific dogs: puppies, old dogs, nursing mothers, dogs needing to go on a diet. It is the ingredients in the food, however, that matter the most. Luckily, most pet food companies today create dog food that has a careful blend of ingredients that will provide your dog with a tasty, balanced diet.
  
  There are some differences between the foods, however. Different brands process their food at different temperatures, and spend more money on higher quality ingredients. These slight variations can affect some breeds of dogs. In addition, dogs at different stages of life need different nutrients. A small puppy needs more calcium than an energetic "teenager." For these reasons, many dog food companies create foods that feature different combination of nutrients for dogs at different stages of their lives.
  
  

What Kind of Food Do Dogs Need?

• Dogs need pretty much the same things humans do: a healthy combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates with some vitamins and minerals mixed in. However, dogs need these things packaged in such a way that their bodies can absorb them. Even if a dog food company claims that the food contains all nutrients, it may not be good for the dog unless the nutrients have been processed for digestion.
  
  One important thing to look for is to make sure that foods that list grain as a primary ingredient have processed that grain in such a way that dogs can easily digest it, since the protein found in grain cannot be easily digested by dogs. To do this, you can call the company number listed on the bag of food, but most of the most popular brands of dog food do process their grain, such as Iams. Some brands, such as Evo, are completely grain-free.
  
  Dog foods should also have a balanced combination of vitamins and minerals. This is a delicate balance, because too much of one or the other will interfere with absorption. Ask your veterinarian to recommend a brand of dog food that is known to have a good proportion of vitamins and minerals, such as Canidae.
  
  In conclusion, if you are buying your dog a higher quality dry food and adding a bit of meat broth to it occasionally along with some leftover vegetables, you are doing well by your dog. If your dog is active, happy, seems healthy and has a soft, shiny coat, you can know that your dog food is a good choice.