How to Properly Supplement Your Dog’s Diet
We're so obsessed with having a balanced diet and having all the nutrients our human body needs. However, have you ever stopped to think if your dog is eating healthy food too? Whether you buy packaged dog food or make homemade vegan dog food, it's important that your best buddy gets a balanced diet for them to stay healthy.
Nutrients that your dog needs
Here's a list of all the essential nutrients dogs need when preparing DIY vegan dog food for them.
Carbohydrates
Dogs are omnivores. When your animal companion eats vegetables and grains, they get starches, sugars, and fiber, which helps keep them full longer. Making sure to add some carbs when making homemade vegan dog food can also help keep your best buddy's intestine healthy.
Fats
Dogs also need fats for energy, as well as for keeping their hair and skin healthy. The essential fatty acids your dog needs include omega-6, omega-3, and linoleic acid. However, dogs can't make enough essential fatty acids on their own. That's why they must eat foods that are rich in them.
Proteins
Protein is another vital nutrient. Out of all the 23 essential amino acids, a dog's body only make 13 of them. The other ten comes from food.
Vitamins and minerals
Some of the important vitamins and minerals dog needs include phosphorus, calcium, vitamin A, D, E, and K, as well as B-complex vitamins. A dog's body makes enough vitamin C that's why they don't need it in their food.
Water
Dogs can survive even if they lose half their protein and all their body fat. However, they will die if their body loses only 10% of water. That's how important water is.
Adding plant foods to your dog’s diet
Dogs, being omnivores, can survive on both meat and plant foods. However, it's important that you make sure that they are eating balanced meals. For example, an all-meat diet is not considered balanced. They also need fiber, which can only come from plant foods.
There are several vegan foods that are safe for your fur baby, which include lentils, rice, carrots, broccoli, quinoa, and certain types of beans, as well as dark, leafy greens like spinach.
If you're wondering if your dog can be vegan, the answer is yes. Dogs can be vegan, but it's important that if you are making homemade vegan dog food, it’s important you make sure it’s balanced to get all their daily nutritional requirements.
Keeping your dog active
Aside from a healthy diet, you should also keep your dog active. Make sure that they have enough exercise by walking them or playing with them. You can also bring your dog to an agility park or trail where they can get a wonderful workout.
If there are no such places near your home, you can build an agility course for your animal companion in your backyard. Pet treadmills are a good alternative if you have limited indoor and outdoor space. It also helps keep them active even when the weather does not permit going outside.
There are many activities you can do with your canine friend—you just have to be creative.
The vegan marketers at Ardor SEO are proud to support this article to show that in addition to humans, dogs can survive on a balanced vegan diet.
