Is your dog’s diet healthy?

In recent years we have become very aware of what goes into our food and we are ever increasingly aware of what effects having an unbalanced diet can have. But do we look closely enough at the food we are providing for our pets? Dogs in particular have a varied diet with some owners lavishing them with a cooked roast every night and other owners providing what they feel is a good value food. But how much do we really know about our dog’s food and the level of health it provides?

Many owners look for premium foods that offer the best health benefits for their dogs, but with most foods boasting their health benefits it can be hard to know what is needed and indeed what to choose. The best thing to do is to provide what your dog needs at his or her particular stage of life. A growing puppy that needs extra protein requires a different diet to an older dog that needs to keep weight off and possibly have some supplement to support his joints. If you are concerned about what will benefit your dog and what is just wasted in a food you could ask your vet for advice or speak to the breeder where you purchased the dog. Independent pet shops are another good source for nutritional information.

Beyond the health benefits we should be looking into what the food is made from? Many health and even behavioural problems can arise from feeding foods that don’t agree with your dog, many of which can be found in dog foods, both value and premium. Itchy, flaky or red skin, dry or cracked paws and poor coat condition are some of the obvious signs of a food disagreeing. Inconsistent bowel movements and difficulty or frequent need to go to the toilet are also fairly obvious, but sometimes overlooked, signs. Further more your dog may experience ear or eye problems as well as joint or growth problems if fed the wrong things consistently. The problems may not stop there either; these small health problems can lead to bigger issues as well. Any sign of these problems and you should always consult a vet, but be aware that food and diet plays a huge part in any health issue. Behavioural issues may also arise in some dogs, symptoms such as being irrationally reactive to noise or movement as well as being nervous or aggressive may be down to food not agreeing.

So what foods should you avoid? The first and usually most widely used product is wheat. Some dogs can tolerate an amount of wheat others will suffer when they eat it. Unfortunately it is a cheaper ingredient and therefore used widely in many treats and foods. In their natural states dogs would eat mainly meat and of course a small amount of vegetation and other foods that their prey has eaten. So while they aren’t totally opposed to eating it, continual large amounts may cause your dog to react badly. Always check the back of the food or treat bag; you will be surprised how many foods have it as a first ingredient! The first ingredient listed is the highest percentage one. A second culprit is maize and other cereals. Maize is often used as a replacement for wheat as more dogs can tolerate it than wheat, but it can still cause problems. Beware labels of ‘cereals’ as they tend to be any cereal crop, which doesn’t have to be stated which one on the bag. A small amount of these is okay in most cases but it is usually better to opt for items with these ingredients further down the list, not at the top.

Other foods that dogs may be sensitive to include, soya, dairy, beef, chicken, fish, pork and potato. Not all dogs are sensitive to these things, but if you notice a pattern occurring when you feed a certain type of food (for example beef treats and afterward a red tummy or itchy patches) you may want to avoid them.

So how can you feed your dog a healthier diet? There are several premium dog foods that don’t contain any of these known offenders. Burns and James Wellbeloved are two popular brands & there are many others that tend to use rice as the filler/bulking content. You can also look out for wheat free meat meals or raw meat and mix that with a wheat free mixer. The best way to be sure however is to simply read the back of the packets, many own brands are now coming round to the realisation that a lot of dogs don’t go well with certain foods and as a result the kibble market is changing for the better.

Lastly, why are manufacturers allowed to use ingredients that aren’t healthy? Simply put, not all dogs will be sensitive. You should also keep in mind that the kibble market is relatively new. Twenty odd years back the majority of foods were a mixer and meat set up, but kibble foods slowly became standard because of their convenience. The wheat and cereal in them meant that they were cheaper and that they would keep longer, there wasn’t much to suggest that they would have adverse affects on some dogs. However, as the market evolves and expands, people are finding out about the different ingredients in the foods and if dogs can tolerate them or not. This also means that the varieties are expanding and you as a consumer, by buying what you believe to be best, will have an influence on what is available in the future.