The Dog Daily: Nutritious Dish
Seven Indicators of Dog Food Quality
By Kim Boatman for The Dog Daily
The best evidence that you’ve chosen the right dog food is your
dog itself. Your furry pal’s inward and outward appearance is
tangible, visible proof that you’re dishing up a food that meets
its nutritional needs.
While other factors can also affect your pup’s health and
behavior, making sure your dog eats properly is fundamental to its
well-being. Fortunately, there are a number of ways your dog
reflects your chow choice, say experts. Here are seven signs your
dog is thriving on well-balanced, nutritious dog food:
- A shiny coat and healthy skin If your dog has
a dull, dry and brittle coat with flaking skin, diet could be to
blame, says Dr. Bart Iaia, DVM, who practices in Renton, Wash. Look
for omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in dog food, says Dr. Iaia.
Your pet needs these essential fats. Flaky skin could be a sign of
a zinc deficiency, a problem with home-cooked diets.
- A healthy digestive system Poop is more than
the stuff you, ever the responsible dog owner, scoop on a regular
basis. Poop matters, say Dr. Iaia and Dr. Laird Goodman, DVM, a
Beaverton, Ore., veterinarian who is on the board of directors for
the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association. “You want good stools --
firm, but not dry, and not loose,” advises Dr. Goodman. Note how
often your dog poops as well, says Dr. Iaia. If your dog poops more
than twice a day, that’s an indication your pal’s food might not
contain enough protein in forms it can use. You can be reassured if
your dog’s food has “complete and balanced” on the label.
- A resilient immune system Vitamin E and
antioxidants will help your dog stave off illness, building its
immune system, says Dr. Iaia. Veterinary research has found that a
diet rich in antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, improves immune
system responses. This is particularly important as your dog ages,
since a dog’s ability to fight illnesses weakens as it grows
older.
- Strong bones and joints Calcium and vitamin D
make for strong bones in your dog, just as they do for you. Dog
owners who simply feed their dog meat, rather than a well-balanced
commercial food, run the risk of their pet suffering soft bones,
resulting in fractures, experts say. A well-balanced dog food will
include all such essential nutrients.
A veterinarian can use X-rays to evaluate your dog’s bone
density if a problem is suspected, says Dr. Korinn E. Saker, DVM,
Ph.D., diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition
and a clinical nutritionist at North Carolina State University
College of Veterinary Medicine. X-rays can also detect hairline
fractures and other “less obvious” health problems caused by poor
nutrition, such as urinary tract stones, adds Dr. Saker.
- Healthy teeth and gums Your dog’s teeth should
be strong and white, with healthy, pink gums covering the roots. If
you notice a reddening of the gums, a buildup of tartar on the
teeth or bad breath, it can indicate dental problems, says Dr.
Iaia. Some dry foods and dog treats are designed to slow the
progress of dental disease, so look for products that specifically
mention dental care or tartar-fighting properties.
- Strong muscles Hourglass figures aren’t just
for movie stars. Your dog should maintain good muscle tone, with an
hourglass shape when viewed from above, says Dr. Saker. “Obese dogs
have lost the tucked up appearance just after the ribcage, when
viewed from the side,” she says. You should be able to feel your
dog’s ribs but not see them. If your dog is eating a lot but looks
too thin, you’re probably not feeding a high-quality dog food, says
Dr. Iaia.
- A healthy heart A well-balanced, complete dog
food will include protein, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids,
potassium and sodium to promote heart health. Your veterinarian can
evaluate your dog’s heart health through regular checkups, and if
needed, blood work.
Seven could be your dog’s lucky number, in terms of future
health, if it exhibits these positive signs. Dr. Goodman advises
that you should avoid feeding your dog table scrap handouts, along
with too many treat snacks. Instead, stick to a quality diet that
both you and your dog can count on. And don’t be afraid to discuss
the matter with your veterinarian, who may be able to provide
additional nutrition-related advice. Dr. Goodman suggests, “Take
the label from your food to the veterinarian to have a better
understanding of what you’re providing your dog.”
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