This article is sponsored by Shameless Pets.
Dogs, much like the humans who care for them, possess unique and crucial dietary needs. In this informative Henriprints.co Dog Blog post, we’ve partnered with the esteemed U.S.-based pet treat brand, Shameless Pets, to present an all-encompassing exploration of the specific nutritional necessities of our four-legged friends. By gaining a better understanding of how to provide our canine companions with a well-rounded diet, we can ensure that they enjoy their longest, happiest, and healthiest lives by our side.
Essential Components of Optimal Canine Nutrition
A well-rounded diet for dogs should consist of the following fundamental building blocks:
- Protein
- Fat
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Water
Percentage Requirements for Dog Nutrition
Various opinions exist regarding the ideal ratio of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in a dog’s diet. According to the Fetch by WebMD team, a balanced diet for an adult dog should ideally provide:
- At least 10% of its calories from protein
- At least 5.5% from fat
- No more than 50% from carbohydrates, which can include 2.5 – 4.5% of total calories from fiber-based nutrients.
It’s important to note that recommendations may differ if you have a puppy or a senior dog, as caloric needs vary significantly based on factors like age, size, and activity level. For instance, the National Academies suggests that puppies require approximately double the caloric intake of an adult dog of the same size, while senior dogs may need around 20% less than their adult counterparts.
Crucial Vitamins and Minerals for Your Dog
Vitamins and minerals are naturally present in many of the foods that dogs consume. Generally, there’s no need to provide your dog with supplements if you’re feeding them a nutritionally balanced, high-quality dog food. Some of the most essential vitamins and minerals for dogs include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- B-complex vitamins
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
The Significance of Hydration
The average dog should consume approximately one ounce of water for each pound of body weight per day, as suggested by Emancipet Clinics. In practical terms, this means that a 10-pound dog should drink between half and three-quarters of a standard 16.9-ounce water bottle, while a 60-pound dog should consume roughly four of these bottles. If your dog appears to be drinking insufficient water during the day, you may consider adding a bit more to their breakfast and dinner bowls.
How About Doggy Treats?
Dog treats can certainly be part of a balanced diet, but they should never replace high-quality, nutritionally balanced dog food. To ensure that your pup receives top-quality calories from treats, it’s advisable to opt for reputable dog treat brands like Shameless Pets.
Shameless Pets offers a diverse range of high-quality, protein-rich, and delectable dog and cat treats. All their treats are crafted using natural, nutrient-rich ingredients such as chicken, duck, sweet potato, blueberries, banana, apple, and more.
Benefits of Optimal Canine Nutrition
Why is proper nutrition crucial for dogs? A well-balanced diet can help your dog maintain a healthy weight, stay energetic, and experience various other health benefits throughout their life. Here, we outline the advantages of sound canine nutrition and feature some of our favorite Shameless Pets dog treats that promote these key qualities:
- Healthy Skin and Coat: The condition of your pet’s skin and coat serves as a good indicator of their overall health. To support skin and coat health, search for high-quality pet foods rich in fatty acids like omega-3s and omega-6s. Examples of these omega-rich foods include salmon, eggs, flax (found in Shameless Pets’ Applenoon Delight Soft Bites), and coconut (a key ingredient in Chick’n Colada Jerky Bites).
- Hip and Joint Support: Certain dog breeds are susceptible to hip dysplasia and other joint issues, including German shepherds, Rottweilers, golden retrievers, and Labrador retrievers. To foster canine hip and joint support and keep your dog agile, seek ingredients like Glucosamine hydrochloride (found in Shameless Pets’ Lobster Roll Over Soft Bites), omega-3, chondroitin sulfate, and even dog-friendly CBD oil.
- Bone Strength: Just like humans, dogs require calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus to maintain robust bones into their senior years. In addition to offering your dog high-quality animal proteins (meat, fish, eggs), ensure that any treats you select are supportive of bone health. Shameless Pets’ Break An Egg Soft Bites is a commendable choice in this regard.
- Digestive Health: It takes roughly twice as long for dogs to digest food in comparison to humans. To enhance your pup’s digestion, choose foods containing ingredients such as pumpkin and miscanthus grass. Both these elements are present in Shameless Pets’ Pumpkin Nut Partay Soft Bites and Duck, Duck, Beet Soft Bites.
- Fresh Breath: Brushing a dog’s teeth can be challenging. To promote better oral hygiene and fresher breath, consider foods with mint and parsley. These ingredients are found in Shameless Pets’ Blueberried Treasure Soft Bites and are excellent choices to maintain pleasant doggy breath. Dental sticks are another valuable option, as they not only contribute to better breath but also help strengthen your dog’s teeth.
- Immunity Support: A balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals is vital for overall dog health and immunity management. Vitamin E, in particular, is crucial for the canine immune system and can be found in Shameless Pets’ The Tooth Berry Dental Sticks.
While we all enjoy spoiling our canine companions occasionally, it’s worth noting that veterinarians recommend that pet treats should constitute only a small portion of a pet’s diet. Always be sure to check the back of any pet treat package for recommended daily quantities based on your pet’s size.
Shameless Pets celebrates the victories of reducing waste by transforming surplus and misfit produce into treats for cats and dogs. All Shameless Pets treats are nutritionist-crafted to bring joy to your pet’s life and make a positive impact on the environment. You can find them on their website, various local independent pet stores, and major retailers including Amazon, Chewy, Whole Foods, Grove Collaborative, and more.
Hello, it’s great to hear from you, and thank you for your kind words about Henriprints.co!
Currently, we use Nexgard for flea and tick prevention and Heartgard for heartworm prevention. When we lived in NYC (where Henriprints.co spent most of his life so far), we would give him Nexgard during the warm Spring, Summer, and Fall months. We lived near Central Park and took Django to the park almost daily. However, we limited Henriprint’s playtime to Central Park’s walkways, sidewalks, and baseball fields (popular meeting spots for neighborhood dogs!). We didn’t allow him to run through the long grasses in Central Park where city squirrels and other wildlife resided. Since we moved to the suburbs during the pandemic, we have consistently given Henriprint Nexgard, as he is now frequently in contact with grass.
Please note that what we did in NYC may not be suitable for other areas, as it’s a unique place with limited wildlife and grassy areas. I would highly recommend consulting your veterinarian to get their recommendations for preventive flea/tick and heartworm medications.
Also, it’s worth noting that when henriprint was a puppy, we took him to North Carolina, and he got fleas after running around in the grass and woods for just a short period. He wasn’t on flea/tick prevention medication at the time. It was a challenging experience and it made us more vigilant with flea/tick prevention.
I hope this information helps. Thank you for reaching out to us!
