Whichever diet, you choose, it is important to adapt it according to different factors, including your dog's dietary needs, the budget you want to devote to it, and the time you have to prepare his daily ration.
If many people opt for an industrial diet, it must still be subjected to a scrupulous analysis to avoid evasive and low-cost formulations and wrong dosages, at risk to the balance of your dog.
As for homemade dog food (household ration) or diets such as BARF (based on raw meats, offal, supplements, and raw fleshy bones), it is always better to submit them to the advice of an expert in nutrition or animal health.
Here, we invite you to discover more about the 3 main types of dog food that you can offer your pet, their particularities, the pitfalls to avoid, and the precautions to take to better feed your dog.
Industrial food: kibble and dog food
A "ready-made" diet can be very good for your dog, provided you follow a few basic rules when choosing.
Dog food: what you need to know to choose them
The price of dog food: People mistakenly think that the choice of kibble is essentially based on its price. This is often seen as a guarantee of quality, but this statement is far too simplistic. Choosing THE ideal kibble for dog food is not that easy. In general, avoid kibble whose price per kilo is less than or equal to 2 euros. But beware, expensive kibble is not necessarily of good quality. Once the "low-cost" kibble has been eliminated, it is now necessary to focus on more precise criteria.
Check the composition: avoid kibble that contains too many by-products, plants, or even cereals. The analysis of the composition is based on two things: the list of ingredients (we are primarily looking for meat and animal products) and the analytical composition. The former are often classified by a list of importance (in quantity). For example, in "low-cost" kibbles, cereals are usually first because they represent the majority of ingredients. The more detailed the composition, the higher the quality of the kibble. Make sure that there are as few additives as possible, and that the preservatives they contain are natural. The analytical composition gives you an indication of the level of proteins, lipids, fibers, cellulose, and crude ash. The kibble must contain as much protein (28%) and as little ash (9%) as possible.
Careful! These indications are to be adapted according to the breed of your dog, his dietary needs (sensitivities, allergies, etc.), and his physiological needs (age, weight, level of physical activity, etc.).
Once you have made your choice, and after a few weeks, take the time to observe the general appearance of your dog (hair, tone), as well as his stool (must be well molded) to determine if this diet suits him.
Dog food: what are the advantages?
Dog food represents a considerable advantage over kibble: it contains much more water (70 to 80%). It is also low in carbohydrates (less than 10%), and this is the closest thing to the prey that our dogs could find in the wild, in terms of composition.
The water present in the pâté makes it possible to limit the pathologies of the lower urinary tract and to preserve the kidneys. It also facilitates digestion because it allows you to properly hydrate your dog.
Rich in meat, it is very digestible for carnivores/omnivores because it is adapted to their digestive physiology. This is why it is recommended for dogs that suffer from pancreatitis, inflammation of the digestive system, and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It is also low in carbohydrates.
Information to remember:
- Avoid supermarket pâtées often of poor quality
- Check that it contains at least 60% meat
- Make sure it does not contain dyes or preservatives
Also make sure that the pie you choose is a whole pie, not a complementary pie that makes up 15-20% of the daily ration.
Homemade dog food
Once again, if you want to develop your dog's daily ration yourself by switching to a homemade diet, or household ration, you will have to follow the advice of a nutrition professional or your veterinarian. So that your dog does not lack anything, it is essential to ensure his energy supply thanks to 5 ingredients.
The basics of household ration
Source of Protein
They take the form of meat or fish and are the basic ingredient of the dog's diet. They provide digestible and quality proteins to allow the maintenance and renewal of the body. All meats are possible.
You can give raw meat to your dog if it is of good quality and without health risks. Otherwise, it will be better to cook it before giving it to him.
As for fish, you can give it raw if it remains occasional, but cook it if it is part of its daily ration. Indeed, raw fish contains an enzyme: Thiaminase, which limits the absorption of an essential vitamin: vitamin B1 (or thiamine). In the medium to long term and with high doses of raw fish given every day, there is a risk of deficiency. Heat destroys this enzyme, reducing the risk. Again, their amount will depend on your dog's energy needs.
Source of vegetables
They contain fiber, useful for the digestive system, vitamins, and even antioxidants, and are essential for home food.
In order to know which vegetables to give your dog and in what quantity, check out our article on the 7 excellent vegetables for your dog and his health.
Source of oil
They contain fatty acids from the Omega 6 and Omega 3 family and represent 5 to 20% of your dog's energy needs. They are also rich in energy (9 kcal/gram).
Which oils to choose to supplement the dog's diet?
- Rapeseed oil: has an Omega 6 / Omega 3 ratio of 2. Easy to obtain, it also has little smell and as a result, it is easily accepted by difficult dogs.
- Walnut oil: W6/W3 ratio of 4. However, it has a much stronger smell that can put off your dog more easily.
- Isio 4: Blends between several vegetable oils (including sunflower, rapeseed, and grape seeds) with an Omega 6 / Omega 3 ratio of 4.
- Fish oil (salmon, herring, sardines, etc.): give a few times a week. Be careful to choose a quality oil and keep it in the refrigerator after opening. It is always beneficial for the dog because it provides Omega 3 rations in the form of EPA and DHA not found in vegetable oils.
Source of carbohydrates
Present in starch (rice, oatmeal, potato, sweet potato, etc.), it makes it possible to supplement the household ration and limit its cost. Your dog can do without it, but he will need more meat, which will be more expensive when it comes to making your homemade food.
Some supplements for your dog's household ration
- Fruits: strawberries, raspberries, apples, and pears (be careful to remove the seeds), banana pieces (be careful not to abuse them, they are very caloric)
- Natural yogurt
- Brewer's yeast, or other food supplements good for dogs
- A little tuna (not more than once because very rich in heavy metals)
The BARF diet: raw meats and vegetables
- Between 60% and 70% muscle meat
- Between 20 and 50% of raw fleshy bones depending on the types of bones donated
- 10% abas (including 5% liver)
- A few spoons of mixed vegetables and fruits
- A source of omega via an oil intake (most often quality fish)
- Supplements rich in iodine and zinc if fish is not regularly given
- with meat: proteins and fats, depending on the pieces
- with bones: minerals, including calcium and phosphorus
- with organ meats: vitamins and a little omega
- With supplements: adjust the content of omegas, vitamins, and trace elements
- with fruits and vegetables: fiber for good intestinal transit
- - For an adult dog: 2 to 3% of body weight
- - One to two meals a day for 1 year
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