Dogs with sensitive stomachs require food that is low in fat. Furthermore, dairy products should be avoided since these may lead to digestive issues like pancreatitis.
Cooked sweet potatoes provide a good source of fiber, beta-carotene, vitamins B-6, and C, while apples are high in vitamin C and potassium; however cherry pits contain cyanide poison and should never be given to dogs.
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Protein
Protein is an essential macronutrient that plays an integral part in building muscles and other body tissues, providing energy similar to carbohydrates, as well as aiding the creation of hormones and antibodies in our bodies.
Your dog requires a high-quality protein source in his diet for proper muscle growth and immune health, including poultry, beef and lamb proteins, or omega-3 rich fish such as salmon or whitefish to provide omega 3s. Most commercial pet food brands contain animal proteins such as these; poultry meat products usually feature poultry proteins while meat-based ones like poultry contain chicken.
Meat meals such as chicken meal and lamb meal can often be found in high-quality pet food, often appearing near the top of the ingredient list. These meat meals are byproducts from slaughterhouse animals that were not intended for human consumption and underwent high heat processing before finally reaching our plates.
Make sure your dog’s food includes whole, gently cooked meats. Also seek out formulas with balanced nutrition including fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide pet dogs with energy. When not receiving enough carbohydrates from food sources, their bodies convert carbohydrates to glucose as the preferred fuel for most cell types in their bodies. Without enough carbs coming from food, protein will also be broken down to create glucose, using up valuable amino acid chains and depleting muscle and other tissues while simultaneously producing unwanted levels of amino acids that support muscle building and other tissues growth. This approach should only ever be considered temporary until more carbohydrates can be made available via regular feed sources or biofeedback devices.
Food carbohydrates come in the form of simple sugars or complex carbs like starches. Both types provide energy, but their impact on your body depends on their Glycemic Index rating (GI). High GI foods release glucose quickly for a short energy burst before quickly dropping blood sugar levels again; slower-releasing carbs provide sustained energy source that help avoid sudden spikes.
Complex carbohydrates found in food are great sources of dietary fiber, which plays an essential role in supporting digestive health by feeding gut microbes and contributing to weight management and improved stool quality.
Fats & Oils
Fats make up a significant part of your pup’s diet and provide energy as well as fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E & K). Fats play an integral part in keeping skin and coat healthy as well as producing hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins which work to reduce inflammation.
Oils and fats in pet foods come from various sources, including plant seed oils like hemp, rapeseed and sunflower. Often combined with more nutritionally dense fish oils that offer omega 3 fatty acids that your dog can utilize directly.
Vegetable oils such as soybean, sunflower and corn oil are often included in commercial pet food as cheaper sources of oil that still provide health-supportive fatty acids like those found in fish oils.
Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins play a variety of important roles for dogs, such as managing metabolism, immunity and hormone regulation. Most vitamins should come from their food; highly-processed diets may not provide adequate sources.
Biotin, for instance, is a water-soluble vitamin that supports skin and hair growth while strengthening nails. Additionally, it regulates blood glucose and improves eyesight. Vitamin C plays an essential role in fighting disease while simultaneously decreasing chronic inflammation.
Cobalamin, another water-soluble vitamin found in meat, fish and eggs is essential to producing DNA and amino acids, while Folic acid, another form of B9 that plays an integral part in cell development and decreasing risk of certain cancers, should also be part of your dog’s daily diet to stay in top condition. Opting for products containing these functional superfoods will keep your pup at his/her peak physical condition; avoid foods containing ingredients such as beef flavourings or animal derivatives or artificial colors and flavors as these could potentially harm or become toxic over time.
