Although there are some sites that claim to provide information or comparisons of different types of dog food, most are created and run by dog food companies and are just a marketing gimmick designed to put their particular brand in a good light in order to increase sales. If you are looking for dog food comparisons or ratings that will give you a quick answer to your question, you will no probably end up frustrated and more confused then when you started. When comparing dog foods it is important to focus your attention first on the necessary nutritional components your dog needs for optimal health and second on avoiding ingredients that could be potential health hazards.
There are several nutrients dogs need to survive and thrive. The list of essential nutrients includes:
1) amino acids (in proteins),
2) fatty acids (in fat),
3) carbohydrates,
4) minerals and
5) vitamins. As an aside, I shouldn’t neglect to mention the need for good clean water (preferably filtered). Here is a brief review discussing each of the nutrients that you should be comparing.
1) Amino Acids: There are 10 known amino acids that dogs must get from food sources since they cannot produce these amino acids on their own. Amino acids come from protein such as meat and eggs. It is interesting that dogs will often avoid eating food that has no amino acids. When reading a list of ingredients remember that quality protein comes from animal meat rather than “animal byproducts”.
2) Fatty Acids: Another element that your dog cannot create internally is fatty acid. Fatty acids are necessary to sustain your dog’s life and provide for internal functions such as transporting fat-soluble vitamins, immune system functions, cellular function, brain function, and coat and skin health.
3) Carbohydrates: While dogs get a lot of their energy (calories) from fat they also get a good amount from carbohydrates that are found in fruits, vegetables and grains in the form of glucose, fructose, starches and dietary fibers. In fact, an adult dog’s diet can include as much as fifty percent carbohydrates. (Note: Since much of the fiber provides no real nutritional value for your dog it is if no more than five percent of the total quantity comes from fiber.
4) Minerals: The essential minerals include: Calcium, Copper, Choline, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium, Chlorine, Iron, Potassium, Zinc, Manganese, Selenium and Iodine.
5) Vitamins: The most important vitamins for your dog’s health are as follows: Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid and Folic Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (Also known as Thiamin), Vitamin B5, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin K.
These vitamins and minerals mentioned above provide the necessary nutrients for muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, cell signaling, enzymatic reactions and strong bones and teeth, just to name a few.
Quantities Vary Depending on Your Dogs Situation
Puppies actually need twice the calories required by an adult dog and pregnant Dogs require one-half to two-thirds more than an adult dog. The dogs with the greatest nutritional needs are nursing dogs. A nursing dog will need two to four times as many calories as a non-nursing dog. The amount they need depends on the number of puppies they are nursing and the length of time they have been nursing. The longer they nurse, the greater their nutritional need.
On the other hand, older dogs that are less active may only need 80% of the calories they consumed in middle age.
Dog Food Comparison of Quality
Ultimately, the food you choose for your dog, whether commercial, home made, or a combination, needs to contain the nutrients stated above. If the dog foods you are comparing are missing these essentials, keep looking. Once you have found the dog foods that include these essentials, you can narrow them down based on the quality and quantities of the ingredients and nutrients. It’s helpful if you can come up with a few choices in case you find one or two foods that your dog doesn’t like.
The dog food comparison blog has additional information that will help you figure out the best way to keep your dog healthy and happy. Find more valuable information at http://www.dogfoodcomparisons.net
