Dogs require over 40 essential nutrients from high-quality sources to thrive. Premium nutrition delivers complete, balanced ingredients for good health. Discover what optimal dog food contains and why it matters hugely.
Ingredients Really Do Matter
Not all pet foods equip dogs fully. Mass market brands feature corn, wheat, soy, by-products filled with beaks and feet versus muscles cuts. Artificial colors, flavors, and chemical preservatives stress organs over time. Fillers simply pass through without nutritional value. Premium brands like Nextrition produce cold pressed dog food, which preserves micronutrients; these foods exclude unfavorable additives. Review all ingredient labels closely rather than just the fat and protein content.
Protein Priorities
Animal-based proteins like chicken, beef, fish, and eggs with high biological nutrient availability work best. At minimum, one concentrated whole meat, poultry or fish meal should always be listed first. Avoid unspecified by-products like “meat meal” since percentages get diluted with less usable tissues like lungs or bone chips. Plant-based corn, wheat, or soy proteins lack complete amino acid profiles that dogs also require. Ensure meat, organs, eggs, or dairy lead the protein lineup with no plant boosters or artificial additives interfering.
Favorable Carbohydrates
Grains help form kibble texture and bind nutritional elements together. Whole grains like brown rice, barley or oatmeal digest easier than refined white rice or corn. Ancient grains like millet, amaranth, quinoa and chia seeds nourish with antioxidants. Starchy options provide fast energy during high exertion. Balance proper proportions based on your dog’s age, size, breed and activity levels following veterinary guidelines. Premium brands exclude unnecessary fillers like corn or wheat, focusing carbohydrates on health.
Vital Vitamins
B complex and A, C, D, and E vitamins play crucial roles regulating metabolism, nerve conduction, bone density and cell regeneration. Since cooking depletes natural vitamin presence in ingredients, quality brands fortify with laboratory sourced additions meeting NRC canine requirements. Provide the right supplements if you feed homemade meals instead. Abundant antioxidants fight free radical cell damage from exercise and pollution. Feed a vitamin enriched formula ensuring none get overlooked, which can slowly risk disorders developing over time if consistently deficient.
Notable Minerals
Major minerals like calcium, chloride, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus influence structural growth, fluid balances, nerve signals and energy utilization. Trace minerals including copper, iron, manganese, selenium, iodine and zinc bolster immunity, blood cell formation, metabolism and tissue repair. As with vitamins, cooking destroys some natural mineral availability, so supplementation bridges gaps. Ensure premium feeds or homemade meals incorporate sufficient mineral levels through boosters meeting dog needs.
Essential Fatty Acids
Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids regulate inflammation, joint fluidity, skin/coat conditioning, immune and brain functions. Dogs don’t synthesize them independently so inclusion in food sources is critical. Fat nourishes key organ protection, energy reserves plus insulation too. Once again, quality on the label counts. Marine sources like salmon and anchovy provide EPA/DHA omega-3s more efficiently than plant versions. Additionally, extracts from flax, hemp and algae contribute robust omegas levels.
Ideal Hydration
Water comprises over half of dog’s bodies. Survival depends on restoring fluid losses. Dry kibbles only meet partial needs. Adding water softens food for chewing and absorbing. Intersperse moist toppings like broths or canned food gravies to increase appeal and hydration evenly. Avoid sugary fruits or salt in case volume gets over consumed. Proper hydration flushes waste, cushions joints, regulates temperature, nourishes organs and prevents dangerous dehydration which premium nutrition supports best long term.
Conclusion
Carefully checked premium pet food ingredients ensure completeness meeting all nutritional standards for excellent health. Review labels vigilantly to provide the very best for your beloved dog’s daily wellbeing and longevity.