Vitamins
Vitamins can improve the quality of your pet's life. They help regulate body processes, protect the body from environmental toxins, and break down nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats so the body can utilize them.
Here are noteworthy points about vitamins for dogs:
1) Vitamins work with minerals and enzymes for digestion, reproduction, muscle and bone growth, and maintenance of healthy skin and hair coat.
2) All multi-vitamins for pets are not created equal.
3) Vitamins are necessary for literally tens of thousands of different chemical reactions in the body.
4) They often work in conjunction with minerals and enzymes to ensure normal digestion, reproduction, muscle and bone growth and function, healthy skin and hair, clotting of blood, and the use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates by the body.
5) Their unique set of nutritional requirements has been passed on from generation to generation just like the breed's unique coat, body size and temperament.
We have found that we cannot change the genetic makeup of the animals we are feeding just by exposing them to a different diet for a small amount of time. Therefore, I suggest that Burmese mountain dog owners try to feed their present companion pets with foods that contain what this breed requires. The food should contain: nutrient sources that are similar to those found in the native environment of the breed's ancestors (sources which are not foreign to the digestive and glandular systems of today's Burmese Mountain Dog and which are easy for them to assimilate) and the proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that match the breed specific nutritional requirements - those which have been passed on by their ancestors.
There are over 170 different molecular forms of the mineral "calcium." The source of the mineral calcium that a Burmese Mountain Dog can easily assimilate can be hard for a different breed to assimilate and thus that other breed can develop kidney stones on the best source of calcium for a Burmese Mountain Dog. The reverse of this is also true. Below you will find a list of the best sources of vitamins and minerals for the dietary requirements of a Burmese Mountain Dog.
The balance or amounts are not listed because each individual animal can have different requirements depending on: the sex of the animal; the age (a puppy will have different needs than an adolescent, who even though it may be the same size as an adult will have different requirements than an adult); the activity level (if a dog is very active the dog will need more of the B complex than a couch potato of the same breed); stress levels; medical conditions; and other dietary factors (i.e. does the water supply contain high amounts of minerals). There are many factors come into play when considering the proper amount of each nutrient in an individual dogs diet
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How Does Protein Work for a Dog?
We all know that protein is important for dogs - but why? What does protein fuel in a dog that might be different than in a human?
How Does Protein Work for a Dog?
The question has been asked many times. Just how does protein affect a dog's body and why do they need it. Proteins help to build a strong dog with hair, ear and a nose. Without protein, the body does not develop in a way to sustain life.
The muscular building block of protein consists of twenty-three amino acids. The dog produces about thirteen amino acids on the inside and the other ten on the outside of the body where it is consumed. If a puppy is not given the ten outside amino acid sources, it will not grow and develop. Without the outside source of amino acids, a puppy with not grow and will become sick and can die. An adult dog on the other hand will suffer a deficiency of nutrition and grow weak.
The best source for amino acids is plants and meat, which contain the largest amounts of amino acids that are needed for growth and strength. Some proteins are better than others are because not all protein supplies are the same. The amount of protein needed depends on the amount of protein in the amino acids. A dog just as a human does needs to have a daily-recommended amount of amino acids, which are also called biological value.
Understanding how important protein is for a dog is important when you are choosing the proper foods. If your dogs food lacks the needed proteins, they could become weak and develop a protein deficiency.
Five Facts about Protein
Proteins are the building block of the body and are needed to build strong bones and muscles. A lack of protein is called protein deficiency.
A dog’s immune system and structural makeup relies on protein to develop and grow as the dog grows. Without enough protein, the dog will become a structural disaster. Growth will not appear in a dog with a lack of protein.
Proteins help with the growth of the coat, skin and nails. Without protein, the dog's coat can become dull and fall out at a high rate of speed.
The immune system relies on proteins to continue to protect the body from diseases and other such infections. Without a properly developed immune system, a dog can contact a disease or an infection and die as a result because their immune system cannot fight the ailment.
Dogs should have a minimum of 18% protein for maintenance when they are adults, and 22% for reproduction and growth. Fat should be a minimum of 5% for adult dogs, and 8% for reproduction and growth. But the more fat that is in the diet, the more protein there should be. Fat makes dogs, as well as people, eat less by making them feel fuller. If they eat less, and there are less of other essential nutrients like protein and vitamins and minerals, the dog will not get the nourishment it needs.
Natural Protein Sources for Dogs
In light of the messy dog food recall, it's important to consider some natural protein sources for your pet. New brands are getting added to the recall list every week, so it might be better to be safe than sorry.Protein Source from Eggs
The first food that is a great source of protein is eggs. Eggs are very cheap and are a great source of protein for both humans and dogs. You do have to cook the eggs for your dog as well. Dogs cannot eat raw eggs due to its reaction with vitamins. Cooked eggs are an easy and cheap way to get protein in your dog’s diet.
The Right Balance of Milk
Another great source of protein for your dog is whole milk. You do need to be careful though, as too much milk will cause digestion problems, and upset stomach. An excessive amount of milk could also give you dog diarrhea. You want to make sure you measure the amount of milk your dog is getting and do not exceed two ounces of fluid milk, and two tablespoons of dry milk in each pound of dog food. This amount will prevent your dog from having trouble digesting milk.
Cottage Cheese Has As Much Protein as Horse Meat
Cottage cheese is another cheap, and easy way to get more protein in your dog’s diet. The protein in cottage cheese is different than that of the whole milk, so you don’t have to worry about digestion. Cottage cheese does not have to be cooked or measured exactly, so it is an easy way to give your some extra protein.
Using Cheese for Energy and Protein
Cheese is another great source of protein. Cheese also contains fat that cottage cheese does not have. This fat will give your dog energy, as well as protein. Cheese tends to be a little more expensive than the eggs, or cottage cheese, but well worth the money.
Cooked Fish
Another common food that is a great source of protein is fish. You don’t often hear about people feeding their dogs fish, but there is no reason you can’t. Fish is a great source of protein, but it, just like eggs, needs to be cooked. Cooking the fish will ensure that the harmful chemicals are destroyed, and is ready for consumption.
These are all great ways to get more protein in your dog’s diet. These food choices are all commonly found in your grocery store, and are inexpensive. Most of these items are probably in your refrigerator already. Keeping your dog healthy takes more than just walking them and piling on a cup of dried food. By using natural foods like eggs, milk, cottage cheese, cheese, and fish you can increase your dogs protein and help them maintain an active lifestyle.
How Much Food Nutrition Does Your Dog Really Need?
What type of nutrients does your dog food really need?Know the amount of dog food nutrition your pet should have everyday
When going to the vet, you can find out your dogs health state and can ask many questions, even if you already know the answer, reassurance is always good, and the visit to the vet is also good for your pet. Ask your vet about the food your dog should be eating, don't just give your dog any food that states "dog food nutrition". Feeding a dog is like feeding a kid and giving it the appropriate amount of nutritious food is essential for their health. The correct dog food nutrition is given according to their weight, height, breed, age, and metabolism.
One of the most important things to consider when buying food for your dog is the dogs age. A puppy will eat certain things and definitely much more vitamins and proteins than an adult dog. Each phase of their growing has its correspondent feeding phase. Jumping over a phase might do your pet a lot of harm even in the end. When it comes to feeding our pets, we have to pay the same attention we pay to our diet. Nutritional dog food is adapted to each dog's needs taking in account their age and medical condition first. If you keep in mind that your dog is unique, then you also know his needs are unique and his nutritional dog food should be customized.
Tips for buying nutritional dog food for your canine companion
To have your dog at his peak health, you should keep in mind certain things when going shopping for dog food. You have to know what the food contains before you buy it. Make sure the nutrition dog food has the right amount of minerals, proteins, vitamins, fats, and carbohydrates that will help your dog stay healthy. So check the canned dog food and the bags with dog food for some of the following:
The type of meat – chicken, pork or beef - and the amount of proteins it brings to your dog's food.
The amount of fat contained in the food.
The existence of minerals that will take care of your dog's skeleton.
The fatty acids that take care of your dog's skin and fur.
The quantity of carbohydrates necessary for your dog's energy.
The ingredients that will help its metabolism.
The supplementary vitamins and minerals needed in your dog's feeding
Carbohydrates
Zero. Nada. Zip. That’s how many carbohydrates are required by a dog to sustain life.
But it’s true.
You see, according to the National Research Council… and compared to the other major nutrients… proteins and fats… no carbohydrates appear to be “essential” for the typical canine diet.
Dogs don’t need corn. They don’t need wheat… barley… or potatoes. They simply don’t need these ingredients… at all.
Yet surprisingly, carbohydrates represent the most common raw materials used for making dry dog food.
How can this be?
Why Dog Food Companies Love Carbohydrates
Since the early 1950s, dog food manufacturers everywhere have fallen head-over-heels in love with carbohydrates because they’re…
- Cheap (much cheaper than protein or fat)
- Abundant (simple to acquire)
- Durable (long shelf life)
- Necessary for the process of making kibble
Please notice that not one of these reasons has anything to do with canine nutrition. Not one.
Are They Safe for Dogs?
Now, don’t get me wrong. Carbohydrates aren’t bad for dogs. No, in reasonable amounts they can actually provide a practical source of energy.
The problem lies in their quantity.
The amount of carbohydrates consumed using a dog’s "ancestral diet "as a model is dramatically less than what has become “the norm” for products created by the pet food industry.
One responsible source estimates natural carbohydrate consumption for a dog’s ancestors at around 14 percent of total diet.
Yet today’s dry kibble averages somewhere between 46 and 74 percent carbohydrate.
The Numbers Aren’t Even Close
Wow… that’s roughly four times the amount of “carbs” found in the canine ancestral diet.
It looks like the pet food industry may have taken advantage of the dog’s remarkable willingness to eat just about anything.
OK… maybe the ancestral diet represents an extreme. But considering the dog’s evolutionary background… it just seems that manufacturers may have gone too far in the opposite direction.
Doesn’t it make sense for a dog’s diet to be more balanced… more “natural”… more like the canine ancestral diet? With more protein and fat… and fewer carbohydrates?
My Strongest Recommendation
When choosing dog food, it makes good sense to favor products lower in carbohydrates. That’s because as the carbohydrate percentage of the overall “pie” falls… its protein and fat content must necessarily rise.
Simple math.
And remember… even though most dog food companies fail to disclose the percentage of carbohydrates contained in their products… the Dog Food Advisor reports an estimate of this all-important figure inside every review.
So… always favor dog foods rich in meat-based protein. You’ll be providing your pet with a diet closer to the one she was naturally designed to eat.
Plus, you may even be adding years of good health to your best friend’s life.
Never forget. Bad dog food sucks. Spread the word.
updated:
Monday, August 1, 2011 5:05 PM
