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What are you feeding your dog?6/30/2019 What are you feeding your dog?
More and more people are becoming concerned about the quality of their dog food, but aren’t exactly sure where to look to find the perfect diet for their pet. The answer? Well, every dog is different, and has different needs! But there are a few basics that are practically universal, that dog food companies don’t provide enough of, or too much of. One of these is protein. There are many different types of amino acids necessary for a dog to simply function properly, however only around half of them are nonessential, meaning they are created inside the body. That means the other half is up to you, as a doggy parent, to provide to them! Protein deficiencies can come with a whole slew of issues, and many dogs can be affected, even if the back of your dog food lists chicken as the first ingredient. Because it’s not just the quantity, but the type of protein that is provided. And not only can it affect your dog physically, but mentally! Maybe you have a dog that just never calms down, or becomes aggressive suddenly, or lethargic and lazy. And they can easily go overlooked, especially if taken to a dog trainer without consulting a vet. The amino acids that are essential for dogs are arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Many of these regulate your dog’s nervous system, metabolism, hormone regulation, blood cell function, neural tissue function, and so on… and yet, you won’t usually find them on the back of your dog food bag. So how can you make sure pooch is getting all of these nutrients? Red meat and poultry are at the top of the list, because most includes all of the listed amino acids, and more! Be careful though, about how it is prepared. Lysine for example, is a heat sensitive amino acid, so overcooking can actually alter it, making it harder to digest, less useable, and bond with more carbs. A good substitute is eggs, cooked or raw. Another good source of protein is fish, especially ones rich in omega-3. That’s just one of many necessary proteins for your dog. Does your dog food contain all of them? And if not, can you add something to make sure your dog is getting them? Researching your dog's food can lead to happier and longer life for them!
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