There are so many options when it comes to dog food that it can be difficult to know what to choose. Our choices are often shaped by cultural beliefs – after all, dogs are family members, so it’s no surprise that we think carefully about what we’re going to feed them.
Don’t let yourself be influenced by marketing, however; dogs are not wolves. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they can eat food from both animals and plants.
This had ripples in the dog community when scientists comparing the genes of dogs and wolves discovered that domestic dogs have 4 to 30 copies of an amylase gene, a protein involved in starch digestion, depending on the breed; the wolves only have two copies. This discovery was surprising and showed that dogs had acquired the ability to digest starchy foods such as potatoes and grains.
So how do you choose something that will work for you and your dog?
How to choose a healthy diet for your dog
Many words on labels (“human grade” or “holistic”) don’t necessarily mean much.
Dr Deborah Linderboard-certified veterinary nutritionist at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, says, “Look for a statement of nutritional adequacy on the pet food label that indicates whether the food is complete and balanced, and what stage of life it is appropriate for.
“There are growth/gestation guidelines for adults. Interestingly though, there are no nutritional guidelines for seniors. This is simply a marketing term, as every animal needs something different as he gets older.”
THE World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) suggests some questions to ask when researching foods, including what the company’s reputation is, whether it has a veterinary nutritionist on staff, and what its quality control measures are.
When it comes to raw foods, WSAVA says there are risks because bacteria can be excreted in the dog’s stool without them showing any signs of illness; This can be of particular concern if anyone in your household is particularly vulnerable. They also say that bones should not be included in raw foods due to the risk of damage to your dog’s teeth and obstruction.
Any food that says it is “complementary” is not suitable as a main diet; it is more to be used as a treat. Of course, we all love to give treats.
Dr. Linder explains: “Make sure 90% of your pet’s diet comes from a complete, balanced food, and 10% of daily calories can come from treats or other foods. »
If you’re looking for ideas for low-calorie treats or special diets, she and her colleagues have great information on their petfoodology blog.
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Is cereal healthy for dogs?
THE American Animal Hospital Association says that the grains in dog food can help make it complete and balanced. In 2018, concerns were raised that some unconventional diets (including grain-free) have been linked to heart problems in dogs called dilated cardiomyopathy. However, further research is needed.
In the meantime, if legumes are among the first 10 items on the ingredient list, some dogs could be at riskaccording to Petfoodology.
When a dog is on a special diet, it can be difficult to find training treats. The ingredients in their diet can often work, and another great choice would be the canned version of the special diet.
It can get messy using wet food when training your dog, but you can use a spoon to put spoonfuls into a bowl, or mix it with water and put it in a tube for your dog to can lick. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian if the food you have chosen is suitable for your dog.
It’s not just about what we feed our dogs, but how we feed them. Dogs like to work for their food (contrafreeloading). These days, a wide range of feeding enrichment activities are available, from toys and snuff mats to balls and slow feeders. Scatter feeding, scent games, and homemade food puzzle toys are other options. These are not just for treats but can also be used to feed the dog with their regular meals and provide cognitive enrichment as well.
About our expert, Dr. Deborah Linder
Deborah Linder is director of the Animal Obesity Clinic at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. His research focuses on weight loss strategies in pets, as well as how human-animal interaction affects health and well-being.
Linder’s work has been published in journals such as Frontiers in pediatricsTHE Journal of Veterinary Medicine Educationand veterinary sciences.
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