Photo credit to Positive Dog Training – gentledogtrainers.com.au
We all want the best for our dogs and feeding the most appropriate food which is packed with wholesome ingredients benefits your dog’s physical and mental wellbeing for life.
Poor quality foods contain a large quantity of carbohydrate filler ingredients of no nutritional content for the dog, they may also contain artificial flavourings and colour additives and can be high in sugars and preservatives. The protein content percentage may look correct on the bag but what is the protein made up of? Often these can be of low value proteins made up of meat derivatives rather than quality meats, poultry, game, and fish. Quality foods will also contain essential supplements for maintaining great gut health which the lower quality foods omit.
Poor quality ingredients are not absorbed efficiently in the gut and essential amino acids do not get delivered to the brain, this can cause an imbalance to the dog’s overall health mentally as well as physically.
Some of the issues pertaining to a poor diet
- Excitability
- Anxiety related behaviours
- Frustration leading to possible aggressive led behaviours
- Lack of focus can be attributed to a poor-quality diet.
- Weight gain or loss
- Joint issues
- Poor skin and coat condition
- Gastro or thyroid health issues
- Internal organ problems
- Food intolerances or allergies
By offering quality nutritional ingredients the chemical transportation to the brain is at its most efficient looking to achieve improved motivation, contentment, memory function and calmness from within. Internal organ health is maintained for longevity of life, a stable digestive system and a tip top appearance and you can see that your dog looks forward to and enjoys the eating experience. Any food enrichment items and training rewards should be of good quality too, the more natural the product the better. There are also plenty of recipes on the internet for making your own nutritious treats
Good quality dog foods do not necessarily calculate to be more expensive, and the benefits are numerous for you and your dog. There are hundreds of different products to choose from and this can be a minefield to know what is the best option is for your much loved companion’s optimum health.
Visit a website called www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk – This is an independent website that lists hundreds of dog foods and rates their nutritional value. Check you current dog’s food, if below 78% there will be plenty of choice to find a higher rated product supplying your dog with much better nutritional benefits which can prevent health issues later on in life and aid skin conditions, allergies and behaviour concern
Reenie pictured above has a diet supplied by Different Dog (Home cooked manufacturer) & reward treats of cucumber, carrot and Fish4dogs Salmon and sweet potato cookies
By Mandy Rigby
Canine Behaviourist