A Good Diet for a Dog

Any pet owner is faced with a wide choice of brands and different types of food that companies claim to be healthy. Finding a good diet for your dog can be a challenge and, just like humans, dogs require a balance of different nutrients to stay healthy. Just as humans want to know what is in their food, it's important to pay attention to what you're feeding your dog, too.

Significance

A dog's diet is crucial to his health and general well-being. Monitoring what goes into your dog's food is just as important as ensuring he has enough food and water in the first place. Without a good diet, your dog could develop serious health problems. As veterinarian Katherine Hillestad, DVM, says, each dog is an individual and will have different needs, likes and dislikes compared to other dogs of a similar age and breed.

Function

A dog's diet is essential for supplying him with the nutrients, vitamins and minerals he needs. It gives a dog energy and is important for maintaining healthy joints and a healthy coat. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dog food should contain five essential building blocks to help keep your dog healthy. These are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and they all play a valuable role in your dog's diet.

Types

The main question dog owners face when thinking about their pet's diet is whether to choose dry or wet food. Hillestad recommends avoiding semi-moist food, which can contain high levels of salt and sugar, and can cause dental problems such as gingivitis. She contends a mostly dry food diet is more practical for larger dogs but warns that each dog's needs will be different and, whatever type of food you choose, your dog will need a good dental hygiene program.

Considerations

The Woodhaven Labradors website recommends paying close attention to the ingredients of the food, whether it is dry or canned. Meat should be the first ingredient on the list and it should be named, for instance, "chicken" or "lamb" to ensure it is proper meat and not a mixture. Many brands of food contain meat byproducts. Although these might sound unappealing to humans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration points out that they are actually rich sources of protein.

Expert Insight

The ASPCA reminds owners that a good dog diet should include plenty of clean water, saying that this is the most important thing every dog needs. Your dog's food will contain some moisture (even dried food can contain up to 10 percent), but you will still need to supply extra to keep your dog healthy. It warns that even a 10 percent decrease in your pet's body water can make him seriously ill, while 15 percent could kill him.