The health of our animals, like ours, depends on a healthy diet. It is therefore natural to want to choose a balanced and quality food, adapted to the needs of your dog. Once the form of food has been determined (dry, wet or household ration), it is still necessary to choose the type or ingredients of the ration. Here are some main principles to best feed our four-legged friends.

First and foremost, it’s important to remember that dogs are not humans. The marketing of many foods plays on our vision of food and our taste: images of well-stocked plates, addition of ingredients considered healthy such as fruit or quinoa, a rare or prestigious source of protein (game, fish noble, etc). 

However, it is not the aromas or the foods present at the level of 2% that make the quality of a ration. It is therefore essential to take an interest in the list of ingredients and the analytical composition of foods (rate of proteins, fats, etc.). 

Finally, humans appreciate a varied diet. However, our pets do not feel the same weariness that we do. There is no evidence that a dog who has been fed the same food all his life does not develop an aversion to this food. On the contrary, it is common for repeated dietary changes, at each end of a bag of kibble for example, to cause digestive disorders (diarrhea, gas, abdominal discomfort).

The first thing to consider, before choosing a food, is the dog itself. What stage of his life is he at? 

For a growing puppy

For a growing puppy, it is necessary to choose a specific food, with an appropriate calcium and phosphorus content. Indeed, an unbalanced diet can have very serious consequences (bone deformations, pathological fractures) which can persist throughout the life of the animal and be extremely disabling or painful. 

For a senior dog

On the other hand, an aging animal requires a food with proteins in controlled quantity to spare the kidneys but of excellent quality because its digestive tract often functions less well than that of a young adult. This will help maintain some muscle mass, which is necessary to support the joints.

Prevent your dog from being overweight

Another key issue is to prevent overweight, a scourge of the present day. Obesity is more common in sterilized animals but it also affects whole animals. If the dog is already overweight, there are specific foods that are very high in protein and low in fat to allow weight loss while maintaining sufficient food volume and preventing muscle wasting. Restricting only the amount of food distributed runs the risk of leaving your dog frustrated with hunger and not providing enough protein to maintain muscle mass.

In case of health problems

Finally, in some cases, the dog presents health problems requiring a specialized diet. This is the case of renal insufficiency, diabetes, chronic urinary disorders, chronic digestive disorders, food intolerances or allergies, osteoarthritis, etc. The advances in the field of so-called dietetic foods have been very important and they now make it possible to greatly improve the management of these diseases. These foods should be distributed on veterinary prescription only as they are not suitable for all dogs.

The most common food for dogs is dry food, i.e. kibble. They have many advantages and in particular a long conservation in suitable storage conditions (dry, protected from light and in an airtight container, to prevent the oxidation of fats). It is also a complete and balanced food, which is sufficient on its own. 

The disadvantages of this type of food are sometimes less palatability than wetter rations and a small volume. If your dog is constantly begging for food, there is a trick to keep him full. It is indeed possible to add vegetables cooked in water to the ration (zucchini, green beans). The fibers will give an impression of satiety without adding calories. However, cans of canned vegetables, which are high in sugar and salt, should be avoided.

Be careful, you have to be vigilant because there are croquettes of very different qualities. While some brands, and in particular veterinary ranges, offer foods that are perfectly suited to the nutritional needs of dogs, others are much less demanding in terms of the raw materials used and the nutritional qualities of the food. Poor quality foods generally have very high crude ash levels (greater than 7-10% of dry matter), which corresponds to non-digestible elements. The salt level is also often higher because this serves to artificially increase the palatability of a low-end food, by masking its taste.

Another practical choice because it is balanced and complete is a wet industrial feed. This includes all cans and other store-bought pâtés. It is possible to feed your dog only with this kind of food. In addition to being adapted to the nutritional needs of dogs, they contain on average 70-80% water and promote optimal hydration. In addition, their consistency is generally more palatable to dogs.

On the other hand, it should be noted that once opened, the box can only be kept in the refrigerator for a few days. In addition, for large dogs, the number of boxes to distribute per day to cover energy needs can be a drag. It is therefore entirely possible to opt for a mixed ration based on croquettes and mash. Here again, it is advisable not to vary the foods too often, to avoid digestive disorders, and therefore to distribute fixed quantities of the same foods each day. Be careful to balance the quantities to avoid weight gain.

If you want to cook for your dog, it is absolutely possible. This makes it possible to opt for quality raw materials, while controlling the composition of the ration. However, meals cannot be composed without veterinary advice. Indeed, the meat that we feed to animals, although of high quality, does not contain all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the dog’s metabolism. Indeed, wild canines do not only consume the muscles of their prey but also the viscera, such as the liver, and also the remains of human food, plants, etc. It is therefore important to establish the composition of the ration with a veterinarian (generalist or specialized nutritionist).

Depending on your convictions, you may be tempted to opt for particular power supplies such as BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) or “grain free”. These diets are based on theories generally associating domestic dogs with wolves. Interestingly, the dog is not a strict carnivore and possesses the ability to digest grains. However, some grain-free foods are very well balanced and of very good quality.

BARF rations need to be very well balanced. It is advisable to be wary of BARF foods bought in stores which are of very variable quality. Finally, this type of food can be risky in growing animals requiring very precise proportions of calcium and phosphorus. In all cases, the advice of a veterinarian is preferable to balance the ration for the well-being of your dog, while respecting your convictions.

When it comes to food, there is no one right solution. The large number of options available allow you to choose a food that meets your dog’s needs, in the form that suits you, at a price that fits your budget. For any advice on the balance of the ration, your veterinarian remains the preferred interlocutor.