Healthy dog nutrition: How to ensure your pet eats well

A well-balanced diet should provide your dog with all the vital nutrients. Discover how to look after your dog’s healthy nutrition!

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Healthy dog nutrition

‍Feeding your dog properly is the key to a long and happy life. To support your pet’s wellbeing and health, it is important to provide the right nutrients every day. A balanced diet strengthens your dog’s body, protecting it from infections and illness. How can you look after your dog’s healthy nutrition?

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Why is healthy nutrition important for dogs?

‍What your dog eats has a direct effect on its overall health and comfort. This is why it is essential for your dog’s meals to include all the nutrients it needs. The right balance in their diet has a positive impact on every part of their life. Proper feeding helps maintain a healthy digestive system, strong bones, shiny fur, healthy skin, and a fit heart and blood vessels. A nutritious diet leaves your dog full of energy and vitality. Giving your pet quality food improves its natural defences and helps them live longer.
The right food keeps your dog at a healthy weight and in good physical shape, while also helping to prevent lifestyle-related illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and heart problems. By making sure your dog eats well, you can greatly improve their quality of life.

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How should dogs be fed as they grow older?

For the first few weeks of life, puppies feed only on their mother’s milk. Feeding usually happens between six and twelve times a day. Mother’s milk has all the vital nutrients puppies need to develop and build up their immunity. You can begin to introduce solid food to a puppy’s diet at about four weeks old. From around six or seven weeks, pups should eat only solid food. At this stage, it is best to start with food made especially for puppies. Meals for young dogs should be given gradually. In the first weeks, it is recommended to feed your pup five or six times a day at regular times. After three months, the frequency can be reduced to three meals daily. Food needs to be rich in the nutrients required for healthy development. The diet should include enough calcium and phosphorus, both of which are essential for strong bones.

Dogs become adults at different ages, depending on breed:

• 6–8 months for tiny breeds
• 9–12 months for small breeds
• 15–24 months for large and giant breeds

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How to balance your dog’s diet

‍Balanced food should be suitable for your dog’s age (puppy, adult, senior), size, breed, and daily activity. Dog food producers offer a wide selection of both dry and wet food. It is important to choose high-quality food that is rich in nutrients. You may also decide to feed your dog a raw food diet, such as BARF, based on raw ingredients. Whatever method you choose, meals must provide all the nutrients your pet needs.

A well-balanced dog diet should include:

• Protein – Dog food must contain enough animal protein (from chicken, beef, lamb, or fish) to build and repair tissues. The amount depends on your dog’s age and energy levels.
• Fats and fatty acids – Your dog’s diet should be rich in fats, which are an important source of energy and help the body absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K. It should include animal fats and plant oils, which provide omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These support healthy skin, fur, and the heart.
• Carbohydrates – Your dog’s meals should supply energy through carbohydrates, which come from whole grains (such as rice or oats) and vegetables (such as carrots, pumpkin, or potatoes).
• Vitamins and minerals – Your dog’s food should contain vitamins A (for healthy skin and eyesight), D (for calcium balance), E (an antioxidant), K (for blood clotting), and B vitamins. In addition, meals should provide key minerals: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.
• Fibre – Your dog’s diet should also include fibre, which helps with digestion, keeps your dog at a healthy weight, and prevents constipation. Fibre comes from whole grains, vegetables, and fruit.
• Water – Your dog must always have fresh water, which is vital for all bodily functions, helps with digestion, delivers nutrients, and keeps the body at the right temperature.
• Dietary supplements – Depending on your dog’s needs, it may also be worth adding suitable supplements.

It is important to remember that some foods can cause allergies in dogs. If your pet shows any signs of an allergic reaction, you must remove the problem ingredient from their meals. Many dogs also have food intolerances caused by certain substances, such as gluten or lactose.

Dog owners should also know which foods to avoid in daily feeding, as some are toxic for dogs. These include:

• Chocolate,
• grapes and raisins,
• xylitol (a sweetener),
• onions, garlic, chives, and leeks,
• avocado,
• fruit stones,
• coffee and tea,
• alcohol,
• sweets and caramel,
• macadamia nuts, almonds, and pistachios,
• raw potatoes,
• chilli peppers and hot spices,
• pomegranate,
• rhubarb,
• cooked bones,
• yeast and raw dough,
• wild mushrooms,
• chestnuts and acorns.

Too much fat, salt, or sugar in your dog’s diet can also lead to serious health problems.

The role of supplements in a dog’s diet

Adding appropriate supplements to your dog’s meals can significantly improve their quality of life. DeliGuard postbiotic is an excellent daily addition to support your pet’s health. Its bioactive components, produced by beneficial bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, promote proper hydration, digestion, and nutrient absorption. Postbiotics also strengthen natural immunity, accelerate wound healing, especially with skin issues, and help keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny. In addition, they contribute to better oral health by reducing dental plaque. By enhancing your dog’s diet with such supplements, you are investing in their long-term health and wellbeing.

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