To help dogs lead a healthy, happy and active life for as long as possible, your dog's diet needs to achieve the right balance of the six major groups of nutrients: water, protein, fats/oils, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Did you know that a dog actually has to obtain 37 different essential nutrients through food alone?
Unless your dog is pregnant or nursing, working to performance level or suffering from a particular medical condition, there is no reason to upset the nutrient balance that is appropriate for their bodysize from the early days of adulthood until they reach 'senior' status. The age at which your dog becomes a senior citizen will vary depending on their bodysize, but on average occurs at seven years of age.
Dogs have different nutritional needs from humans and cats. Dogs are classified as omnivores and although they don’t have a necessary requirement for carbohydrates in their diet, they are an important source of energy and contribute greatly to overall gut health. Ideally dogs need a combination of meat, cereals and vegetables in the correct proportions to obtain a nutritionally balanced meal.
All good quality complete manufactured dog foods have been carefully formulated to provide the exact balance of all the nutrients a dog requires to thrive, as well as ensuring excellent taste! Despite the temptation, adding human food and scraps to a nutritionally balanced complete food doesn't do your dog any favours, and unfortunately will often upset this finely tuned nutritional balance. It can also lead to body condition and weight problems and potentially even medical problems.
Water
Water is the most essential nutrient for all living beings and dogs are no exception. The amount of water a dog needs depends on several factors including environmental temperature, exercise levels and whether or not they are eating wet or dried food. Water regulates the body's internal temperature, transports nutrients and other materials around the body and is involved in almost all the processes which take place within the body. Dogs can lose almost 100 percent of their body fat and 50 percent of their protein, but will still survive. A loss of only 15 percent water, can lead to death. You should therefore ALWAYS make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh drinking water at all times.
Protein
Proteins, made from small units called amino acids, are the building blocks of the body. Dogs have to receive certain specific proteins in their food as these contain essential amino acids that the body is unable to manufacture on its own. The proteins you feed to your dog as part of a complete and nutritionally balanced dog food will contain all of the essential amino acids they need and are responsible for forming healthy muscle, skin and hair, as well as being an integral part of the immune system and ensuring transport of oxygen. Insufficient protein can lead to poor growth, loss of muscle bulk, poor coat condition and increased risk of infection through impaired immunity. Excess protein gets stored as fat.
Fats
Fats, made from small units called fatty acids, provide the 'fuel' your dog needs to stay active - supplying more than twice as much energy as protein or carbohydrates. Good fats, and essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6, are vital for healthy skin and coat condition as well as providing insulation and protecting the internal organs. Fats are also important for improving the taste of food! The fats you feed to your dog as part of a complete and nutritionally balanced dog food will contain all of the essential fatty acids they need. Too little of the good and essential fats can lead to poor skin