Considerations for choosing a healthy meal for your pets

7 months ago

It is easy to focus on getting a nutritional balanced meal for ourselves and our children, but sometimes easy for some pet owners to ignore the need for a balanced meal for their pets too, and for this reason, I am writing to remind you, of lovely pet owners, on the need to focus on the nutritional eating habit of your pet.

A complete and balanced meal includes; carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, minerals, proteins, and certainly water. Water is required daily and while it may appear like a simple and unrequired daily need, understanding the required nutrient for a healthy dog's feeding.

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The required energy level for a dog depends on several factors, and it is very important to meet the energy requirement to sustain the daily lifestyle of your dog, some of the factors are based on breed, activity level, reproduction, and medical and behavioral conditions.

A large portion of energy from a diet is associated with fats, proteins, and then carbohydrates. How rich in energy a diet is, is highly dependent on the quality of food and how much of it should be consumed daily. Upon a diet being served, the energy requirements need to fit the daily needs of your pet.

All nutrients obtained need to be balanced to ensure they are absorbed properly by the body and used for the bodily system too. If the diet does not supply sufficient energy, then it means the gastrointestinal tract of the animal will be unable to physically consume enough of the diet, and at the same time, it will be unable to get the required nutrients.

Proteins are important in the formation as well as the maintenance of cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. Protein source in food also contributes significantly to the formation of blood, muscle, hair, nails, and skin. When protein is broken down, it creates amino acids, and these amino acids are essential nutrients for dogs, They help to sustain life and sustain energy.

For a dog, there are 10 required essential amino acids to maintain a healthy life. These nutrients cannot be created in the body, so they need to be supplied through diet.

Fats are lipids that are solid at room temperature and it is composed mainly of triglycerides. Fats play a major role in the body, it provide energy and help with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. When there is a deficiency in fatty acids it could decrease the process of wound healing and also create a dull and dry hair coat, it may also increase some dermatological conditions.

Vitamins are diverse and they perform different functions in the body of a dog. Vitamins function for bone development, blood clotting, normal eye function, DNA creation, and other neurological functions.
For a nutrient to be considered a vitamin, it has to fulfill five characteristics;

It cannot be naturally synthesized in a quantity that is sufficient enough to support normal function.
It has to be a required component of the diet.
The nutrient needs to be an organic compound that is not fat, protein, or carbohydrate.
It causes a deficiency or decreases normal functioning once it is missing.

Carbohydrates are needed for a dog's diet, they provide energy in the form of glucose and are likewise a major source of dietary fiber. Some carbohydrates can be converted into fat, generate heat in the body, and also form the base for other nutrients.

Feeding your pet healthy is a great investment in terms of their overall health and well-being, it is a standard foundation for a long, healthy, and happy life. However, while putting all the points mentioned above into significant consideration, keep in mind the strong need to monitor the weight of your pet, provide fresh water all the time, and adjust portions accordingly.