Did you know that like human food dog food has specific labelling requirements but how many people actually read or understand the information provided.
The first thing you should do when selecting a dog food is read the label to see if it is a complete food or complimentary, what group it is aimed at i.e. Puppy, Senior or Working Dog as well as what ingredients it contains.
The Law requires statutory statement on the packaging to state Direction and Description,
- Whether the food is complementary or complete
- What Species it is aimed at
- Directions for feeding/Use,
Product Display Panel, showing any specific claims about the food. Information Panel, showing the nutritional analysis of the food. Ingredients List, There are a number of rules around how this is worded, it must be ordered by weight starting with ingredient of greatest percentage and then in descending order. If an ingredient is named in the description then the percentage of that ingredient must be shown. Additive list, including preservative antioxidants and colourings Vitamins If AD or E, this must be declared as well as the level (this includes those which are naturally occurring or added). Best before Date. Batch Number, for traceability. Net Weight. Feeding Instructions, Guidelines on how much to feed. Name and address of the Manufacturer.
There are three main types of food are Dry, Semi Moist and Moist. A good quality dog food should contain at least 2 named proteins listed as the main ingredients, 2 different sources of fat which may come from a verity of oils, some vegetable preferably named, some whole grains. The items should be real foods that are recognisable rather than vague description such as vegetable derivatives. The a saying “you eat with your eyes” dose not apply to dogs so be wary of high amounts of added colourings these are there for your benefit not the dogs as with children to may “E’s” in your dogs food can cause hyperactivity and behavioural issues so the more natural the better.
Several factors can affect the calorie requirement of a dog and therefore your choice need to consider your dog’s needs. Dogs require more calories when growing as do bitches in the later stages of pregnancy or when nursing pups. Dogs that live outside may require an increase in calories during cold spell. Also, if a dog has increased activity levels such as military dogs on deployment or gun dogs during the shooting season. Dogs will require less calories as the get older and less active, A sick or injured dog confined to crate rest will require less as do neutered dogs however this may vary and there is no conclusive evidence as to why this should be.
You should use the feeding tables provided in packaging by the manufacturer however there are several other factors that need to be considered. Firstly the amount stated may be more than is actually required manufacturers might do this so they increase their sales, then you need to take into account the actual dog, what are its activity levels, how much and what types of activity does it do, does it live inside or outside, is the dog over or underweight for its breed, what and how many treats does it get. This should all be compensated for when calculating daily amounts a new food make take a couple of adjustments to find the right balance.
Most dogs fed a good quality compete food should have no need for supplements, however occasionally individuals may have the need, as with people additional vitamins or minerals may be required certain life stages, during illnesses or recovering for injury, some illnesses can lead to deficiency’s a vet should be able to do tests to ascertain what is required.
Supplements could also be beneficial if home prepared foods are fed to insure that the diet is not lacking in nutrients or for those who have been prescribed a specialist food but prefer to feed non manufactured meals.
The most common supplements available for dogs are those aimed at joint care, healthy coat and digestive health, joint care supplements may help to prevent and active dog suffering discomfort in later life form the effects of worn tired joints, Probiotics can help with digestion and better formed stools as well as improving the immune system and of course we all love to see a healthy coat.
In the UK there is no regulation over supplements for dogs so they should always be purchased for a reliable source Dogs should only be given supplements if the actually require it as it’s possible to overdose on some vitamins and minerals, perhaps you could be wasting money on something that your dog just does not need or has no nutritional value at all. Supplements should not be given to pregnant or nursing bitches unless directed to do so by a vet. One popular supplement is fish oil which contains Omega 3 this cannot be made or stored in the body but is essential for maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol, help support health bones, aid in the clotting of blood. It also contains a natural source of Vitamin A essential for supporting the immune system and health skin and Vitamin D which also promotes health bones as well as helping to protect against some types of cancer and diabetes.
So have a look at the label on your dog food, compare it to other brands on the shelf not all dog foods are equal.
