Working dog food supplies should provide the extra energy and calories that your working dog requires. An athletic dog requires 2 to 5 times the portion provided your couch potato pet. Dogs working in winter need extra calories to keep healthy and warm.
Nutritional requirements for all canines are the same. They need protein, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, and vitamins. Working dogs need extra protein and fat for extra energy. By-products contain high rates of empty calories. An active working canine may not be able to eat enough bulk to maintain a healthy level of nutrition and energy if fed a diet high in by-products.
Protein is the building block of good health. Good sources include meat, fish, and eggs. Fat is an excellent source of concentrated energy. It adds flavor to the meal and puts the shine in the dog's coat. Dogs don't suffer hardening of the arteries. They burn fat rapidly, twice as fast as people do. We need higher percentages of carbohydrates for increased energy and stamina. Athletic dogs need more fat. Animal fat or vegetable oil will do.
Dogs enjoy fresh grass shoots and will eat many vegetables and fruits. Carbohydrates are beneficial if provided in modest amounts in an easily digestible form. Grains processed at high temperatures for commercial diets are easily digested and are a good source of calories and fiber.
Vitamins play an essential role in regulating body processes. Vitamin C and E can replace artificial preservatives. Minerals build strong bones. The AAFCO, Association of American Feed Control Officials, sets standards for dog nutrition. Look for their seal of approval. This is a minimum standard. Your working dog will need more fat and protein.
Whole meat should be the first ingredient of any dog food, not meat by-products. Meat by-products include hooves and hair which are indigestible, empty calories and not a true source of protein. Meat meal is dried meat with water and fat removed. Some meat meal is an acceptable source of protein.
To calculate the dietary protein available to your dog, you have to do a little math. Divide the dry matter percentage (100 - water moisture content) into the guaranteed analysis percentage. An athletic dog should be fed a diet of 25-30% protein. Don't worry about too much protein. As long as it's from an easily digestible, high quality source, the extra will pass harmlessly out of the body.
A healthy dog will have a glossy coat, shining eyes, and energy. You should feel your dogs ribcage and backbone, not see them. Choose a food that you will feed consistently. Changes in dog food easily upset a dogs digestive system. Treats and/or supplements should be no more than 10-15% of your dogs total diet.
Veterinarians, retail pet stores, and online venues all offer a wide variety of dietary choices. Carefully checking the ingredients, choose from commercial dry food, natural and organic products, raw food diets, and canned foods. Canned meat and raw food diets are fresher and higher in protein but spoil easily. Make sure the food supply you take to work won't spoil en route. For dogs in endurance activities, some dry dog foods are available that are sprayed with extra fat after processing bringing the fat content up to 40%. Consult a vet nutritionist if you want to feed your working dog a homemade diet. Be safe and be sure your working dog food supplies provide all the essential nutrients your athletic canine needs for good health.
Nutritional requirements for all canines are the same. They need protein, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, and vitamins. Working dogs need extra protein and fat for extra energy. By-products contain high rates of empty calories. An active working canine may not be able to eat enough bulk to maintain a healthy level of nutrition and energy if fed a diet high in by-products.
Protein is the building block of good health. Good sources include meat, fish, and eggs. Fat is an excellent source of concentrated energy. It adds flavor to the meal and puts the shine in the dog's coat. Dogs don't suffer hardening of the arteries. They burn fat rapidly, twice as fast as people do. We need higher percentages of carbohydrates for increased energy and stamina. Athletic dogs need more fat. Animal fat or vegetable oil will do.
Dogs enjoy fresh grass shoots and will eat many vegetables and fruits. Carbohydrates are beneficial if provided in modest amounts in an easily digestible form. Grains processed at high temperatures for commercial diets are easily digested and are a good source of calories and fiber.
Vitamins play an essential role in regulating body processes. Vitamin C and E can replace artificial preservatives. Minerals build strong bones. The AAFCO, Association of American Feed Control Officials, sets standards for dog nutrition. Look for their seal of approval. This is a minimum standard. Your working dog will need more fat and protein.
Whole meat should be the first ingredient of any dog food, not meat by-products. Meat by-products include hooves and hair which are indigestible, empty calories and not a true source of protein. Meat meal is dried meat with water and fat removed. Some meat meal is an acceptable source of protein.
To calculate the dietary protein available to your dog, you have to do a little math. Divide the dry matter percentage (100 - water moisture content) into the guaranteed analysis percentage. An athletic dog should be fed a diet of 25-30% protein. Don't worry about too much protein. As long as it's from an easily digestible, high quality source, the extra will pass harmlessly out of the body.
Veterinarians, retail pet stores, and online venues all offer a wide variety of dietary choices. Carefully checking the ingredients, choose from commercial dry food, natural and organic products, raw food diets, and canned foods. Canned meat and raw food diets are fresher and higher in protein but spoil easily. Make sure the food supply you take to work won't spoil en route. For dogs in endurance activities, some dry dog foods are available that are sprayed with extra fat after processing bringing the fat content up to 40%. Consult a vet nutritionist if you want to feed your working dog a homemade diet. Be safe and be sure your working dog food supplies provide all the essential nutrients your athletic canine needs for good health.
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