Just as we are what we eat so are our dogs.

If we feed them poor quality food we can expect this to have consequences for their health and behaviour. Unfortunately some top brands seem not to have taken this on-board and continue to spend large amounts on marketing, to tell us how good their products are, while showing little concern for the quality of the actual product.

Dog owners really need to stop and think about what they are feeding their pets. The first step must be to look on the pack at the ingredients. Ingredients such as wheat, soya, beef, meat derivatives, dairy products, artificial colours, artificial flavours, artifical preservatives, sugar and salt should all ring alarm bells.

Essential Elements Of Dog Nutrition

Water - Yes it is obvious but make sure your dog always has access to clean drinking water.

Protein - Is vital for the health of all animals. It is not just used for the growth/repair of muscles, hair, skin etc but also plays a vital role in the immune system. Protein itself is made up of amino acids. There are 22 different amino acids and for a dog to be able to use protein all of them must be present. When comparing one food against another it is important to check the source of the protein. Dogs are predominately carnivours and consequently the best protein sources for them are meat. Plant proteins will struggle to provide the full range of amino acids required. When purchasing food the ingredients are listed by quantity present. If meat is not the first or second ingredient listed the food should be avoided. Also look to avoid products that don't state what the meat is, contain meat derivatives, contain beef (known dog allergen) or dairy products (again a known dog allergen).

Carbohydrates - Are used to provide energy and fibre. Dogs are very good at converting protein into energy and do not therefore require large amounts of carbohydrates. Ingredients rich in carbohydrates are typically added to dog food to provide a cheap source of calories for your pet. Dogs generally seem to adapt well to eating more carbohydrates than would typically be the case in the wild. You should still look to avoid wheat (known dog allergen) and sugar.

Fats - Are essential for maintaining hair, skin and joint condition. Fats also play an important role in the pallatability of dog food. Remember dogs are primarily carnivors so animal fats & oils are far better for them than vegetable fats & oils.