We are what we eat and in our beloved canines it is expressed with great ease, their hair, their nails, the smell of their poop, their energy and many other things indicate the state of their health and well-being. If you are looking to learn the benefits of a healthy diet for dogs, we recommend an expert.
Benefits of a healthy diet in dogs that you will want to have in your furry’s daily menu
A healthy diet is a fundamental basis for the comprehensive well-being of our furry friends, so today I want to share with you the most important guidelines to keep in mind to choose the best in nutrition and the most significant benefits that you will find in it.
Most important components in a healthy diet in dogs
These are the most important components to take into account to choose the best food for your canine friend, all of them must be in the right amounts and combinations in their daily food:
1. Proteins
From proteins we find the basic amino acids that our dogs require daily, therefore meat consumption is the most important part and must be adequately supplied.
Not all proteins are the same there are certain essential amino acids for the development of the dog that is not synthesized by the animal’s metabolism.
We will pay special attention to ensuring that foods contain and are rich in essential amino acids, and we will check this on the labels of food products; we will also make sure that they guarantee a complete diet. The food needs of the dog are not the same at each stage of life.
2. Fats
Fats are the main source of energy in addition to participating in other important functions in your body such as metabolism and the transport of fat-soluble vitamins A, DE, and K that contribute to better assimilation of fats.
3. Carbohydrates
Better known as carbohydrates, they have a very bad reputation these days, however, the correct supply of this important component of healthy nutrition for our pets is as evident as seeing them with enough energy to keep moving and playing.
Although it must be understood that there are “good” and “bad” carbohydrates and that, about the former, they constitute an essential source of energy.
Complex carbohydrates, the good ones, are a union of polysaccharides. These are found, for example, in different cereals, potatoes, wholemeal flour and rice, and also in various types of vegetables. On the contrary, simple carbohydrates, the bad ones, are made up of a large amount of simple or double sugars and should be avoided at all costs in the dog’s diet.
4. Fibers
Fibers are mostly the non-digestible components of vegetables. Its regulating action of the intestine and its capacity of absorption and retention of water guarantee the correct digestion of the dog. Therefore, the alteration of intestinal transit may be a sign of an insufficient or higher intake of the necessary fiber.
5. Vitamins
Vitamins are essential nutrients for dogs and play a critical role in their health. Vitamins are subdivided into two groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble. While the fat-soluble vitamins A, DE, and K accumulate in the dog’s liver, the water-soluble vitamins B and C are rapidly eliminated from the body, so they must be taken daily with food.
6. Minerals
In the body, essential minerals perform their respective properties and specific functions. These are divided into microelements or trace elements (iron, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt, iodine, selenium, and fluorine) and macroelements (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, and potassium).
The macroelements are useful, for example, for bone construction, neurological, cardiac, and muscular function, as well as blood coagulation (for this in particular calcium). Also, for example, iron promotes cellular respiration. Because these minerals are present in almost all foods, a lack of them in a balanced diet is very unlikely.
7. Water
Water performs various functions in the body: it dilutes nutrients in the digestive tract and transports them through the bloodstream to the cells. Also, thanks to water, waste substances are expelled with urine. For these functions to be carried out correctly, the daily water needs are between 5 and 60 ml per kilo.
Benefits of a healthy diet in dogs
Healthy weight
Keeping your pet at a healthy weight lowers his risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory disease, kidney failure, and some types of cancer. It can also reduce the risks of bone, joint, and muscle injuries that are associated with being overweight.
Immune System Enhancement
As with human food, certain foods help improve the immune system. The immune system is responsible for protecting your dog from infections, such as fungi, parasites, bacteria, or viruses. When this system is not strong and begins to fail, autoimmune diseases such as asthma, lupus, or diabetes can appear.
vision health
By avoiding the contribution of artificial ingredients (such as preservatives), natural food recipes for dogs have a positive impact on our dog’s health: they improve their fitness, their agility, they prevent the appearance of some of the diseases that are typical of our epoch, etc.
Skin and hair health
A dog with a thick, shiny coat is in very good health. This is because dogs that consume the right balance of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids will have healthy skin that produces hair with a nice shine.
Digestion and elimination
Carbohydrates provide the fiber that aids digestion and elimination, these are some of the benefits of good nutrition.
Digestibility is important so that your dog can use all the nutrients in his food. And easily remove the waste of the body from it.
Your dog’s food should provide all the nutrition he needs while producing only minimal feces to pick up as the result.
Finally, the benefits of a healthy diet for your dog also produce well-being for your life, so look for an expert to guide you in this important mission.
