Responsible Dog Ownership Month is a great reminder that being a good dog parent is about so much more than cuddles, walks and keeping our dogs safe. It is about understanding what they need to live happy, healthy lives and making informed choices on their behalf.
Veterinary care, exercise, training, enrichment and safety all play an important role, but there is another everyday decision that deserves just as much attention: what goes into their bowl.
Good nutrition is the foundation of good health and an important part of responsible pet ownership. After all, the old adage "you are what you eat" applies to our pets too!
Don't Judge the Food by Its Packaging
We all know how easy it is to be drawn to attractive pet food packaging. A picture of juicy pieces of meat, fresh vegetables or other delicious-looking ingredients can certainly catch our attention.
But what we see on the front of the bag does not necessarily tell us what is actually inside it. That is why it is worth turning the bag around and taking a closer look at the ingredient list and nutritional information.
Ingredients are generally listed in descending order by weight, so where an ingredient appears on the list can give us useful insight into its contribution to the recipe. If you are looking for a meat-based diet for your dog, pay particular attention to where named animal proteins appear and how substantial their inclusion is.
For example, there can be a significant difference between a food containing 4% or 15% chicken and one where animal ingredients make up 40% or even 85% of the recipe. The percentage matters because it contributes to the overall protein content, carbohydrate load and nutritional contribution of the food.
Price Doesn't Tell the Whole Story Either
It is easy to assume that a more expensive food must automatically be a better food. But price alone does not tell us what is in the bowl.
What matters is understanding what you are actually buying, what the ingredients contribute nutritionally, the value the food offers and whether you are getting the best nutrition you can within your budget.
So before reaching for the most expensive bag on the shelf, turn it around and read the label. You may learn something that the front of the packaging doesn't tell you.
Get to Know the Ingredients
You certainly don't need to become a pet nutritionist to make more informed choices for your dog. But getting to know some of the terminology used on pet food labels can make a big difference.
When looking at a food, it is helpful to look for clearly named, recognisable animal proteins and whole, natural food ingredients, while also considering the role and nutritional contribution of the other ingredients in the recipe.
It is also worth paying attention to vague or generic descriptions such as:
- animal derivatives
- plant derivatives
- unspecified animal fats
- mystery meals
- by-products
These terms can make it difficult to understand exactly what you are feeding your dog.
The same applies to fillers, artificial additives and highly processed ingredients that may offer little nutritional value. Understanding what is included, and why, helps us make choices that are better aligned with our dogs' nutritional needs.
Your Dog's Nutritional Needs Change
Just like us, dogs don't necessarily have the same nutritional requirements throughout their lives. A growing puppy has different needs to an adult dog, while an older dog may need particular attention to maintaining healthy muscle mass, mobility and body condition. An active dog can have different energy requirements to a less active dog, while some dogs may need additional consideration when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight.
Just as nutritional needs differ from one dog to another, individual dogs can also respond differently to certain ingredients. An ingredient that suits one dog may not suit another, particularly in cases of food allergies or intolerances. This is another reason why understanding what is in your dog's food and paying attention to changes in their health and wellbeing is important.
There are also everyday signs that can give us useful clues about how our dogs are doing. Their stool quality, digestion, energy levels, appetite, skin and coat condition and ability to maintain a healthy body weight can all form part of the bigger picture.
Of course, these things can be influenced by many factors and shouldn't automatically be attributed to diet. But they can be useful prompts to take a closer look at your dog's overall health and nutrition.
Small Choices Can Make a Big Difference
Being a responsible dog owner is about making thoughtful choices every day. We choose when our dogs go for walks, what treats they receive, when they visit the vet and how we keep them safe. Their food deserves the same level of consideration.
Our dogs rely on us to make these decisions for them, so the more we understand about what goes into their bowls, the better equipped we are to choose a diet that supports their individual health, wellbeing and quality of life.
