Dog Food Digestibility
Is premium dog food really better when
it comes to dog food digestibility? We've all heard
the rumor's that cheap dog food is full of ash, paper
and other non nutritional junk but how true is this
and are the premium foods really better?
Even the experts seem to disagree on
exactly what complete nutrition is. Maybe this explains
why there are so many formulas for premium dog food
out there. There's one thing they do agree on, though:
premium dog food is better for your pet than economy
and grocery store brands. Although you'll pay more,
it usually holds true that you get what you pay for.
Experts also agree that, because premium
foods are more nutritionally dense and easier to digest,
your dog won't need to eat as much. One study even
concluded that if you fed your dog the recommended
amounts on each package, you'd end up saving money
on the premium formulas. That's because your dog needs
to eat a lot less of it. They also tend to go to the
toilet less with premium foods because more of it
is digested into their body.
Every dog needs the right amounts of
proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals,
and water. Your dog must have all these in correct
proportions to stay healthy. Needs vary with life
stage, breed and activity level. Dog food companies
make premium dog food for all life stages, from puppy
to senior. An average adult dog needs a daily intake
of about five ounces for every ten pounds of weight,
with essential nutrients in the following proportions:
Protein --23% of total intake
Fats --5% of total intake
Carbohydrates --65% of total intake
Additional vitamins and minerals your
dog needs are: Vitamins A, D, E, B-complex, Niacin,
Biotin, Folic Acid, Choline, and Pantothenic Acid;
Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium,
Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Iodine, and Selenium.
It's generally agreed that dogs do better
on a protein source that's primarily meat rather than
soybeans and grains. Check the label. All US food
labels must list ingredients in order of their quantity.
If meat byproducts are listed, they should come after
the real meat, not before it. Meat by products are
an inferior source of protein, and are basically what
remains after the good quality meat has been removed.
"Crude protein" can be a similarly poor
source, since it may include parts of the animal that
can't even be digested or absorbed by the average
dog (hair, beaks, etc.).
Premium dog foods do contain more of
the protein type your dog needs and therefore are
more digestible.
For more information on dog foods Click
dog food digestibility
