Feeding the dog, as for humans, is essential for maintaining good physical shape. Paying attention to the correct food proportions of foods can help not only the quality of life of the animal, but at the same time can increase the average life of the same.
The dog needs proteins, sugars, fats, vitamins and minerals. Knowing the right proportions will help him live better and healthily. Important, however, is the correct information. The purpose of this article is precisely to inform the owners of our four-legged friends, to let them know what and how much the dog should eat.
The dog needs protein, the raw material of his organism. In a daily meal it is sufficient to administer a dose of food that contains at least 20%. Sugars are also important, but not all of them are easily assimilated by the animal. The latter tolerates glucose and sucrose, but has difficulty digesting lactose. The supply of sugars is important both as a source of energy and as a regulator of the activity of the bacterial flora. Fat yes, but in the right measure.
These must not exceed 10% in the daily meal: excesses lead to weight gain and also to a greater predisposition to disease and premature old age. Vitamins are fundamental, especially for puppies and pregnant and lactating females: they represent the first source of immunization against diseases. Finally, in the meal there must be minerals, present in different quantities in all foods. Having listed all these important and fundamental elements in the dog's diet, let's now see what are the foods that contain them. The dog's diet varies in relation to several factors, such as the age of the animal, its lifestyle and the breed to which it belongs.
Meat is the main food of the daily ration. Through meat the dog takes on proteins, fats and vitamins necessary for growth and maintenance. Another important source of animal protein is fish: compared to meat, it contains less fat, but is less energetic. This food must be cooked and, of course, without bones.
Another source of protein is eggs. If we choose to feed only the egg white, it must be cooked because in this way the antivitamin substance contained in it is neutralized. The yolk, on the other hand, can also be "served" raw and is rich in fats and vitamins.
Milk is also a protein source, rich in fats, sugars, minerals and vitamins. Even if the dog likes it, in some cases it is not always assimilable and can cause intestinal disorders, because the dog does not have the enzyme that digests lactose.
Vegetables and grains must be present in the dog's diet, as long as they are cooked for a long time. Finally, avoid vegetable rogin fats such as olive and seed oil, as the dog is unable to synthesize them.
Important are the recommendations that go beyond the diet itself, such as accustom the dog to eat at the same time, avoid snacks between meals, pay attention to the bones, no sweets and lots of water.
In particular, it is necessary to dwell on the bones and the water.
As for the former, you must avoid giving the dog long bones, which can splinter and cause injuries to the mouth and esophagus. A large bone, which cannot be broken, (such as the knee bone) is instead a good pastime for the dog and strengthens and cleans the teeth. The question of water is fundamental. The dog suffers more from a prolonged lack of water than from a fast: next to the bowl of the meal there must always be one for the water. It is a good practice to change it often, to ensure that it is always fresh and clean.
Balance and balance are the essential requirements to keep the dog in shape and ward off disease. Knowing what to feed the dog means satisfying a good 50% of the needs of our four-legged friend.
In the next article, we will see in detail the diet for the puppy, that of the pregnant female, that for the elderly dog and the difference between the homemade meal and the prepackaged one.