What are the newest trends in dog nutrition? And what is the opinion of experts and dog owners themselves? I have made a summary for you about what hot topics have been discussed in pet nutrition recently, both at home and abroad.
Business related to pets grows every year. We spend really a lot of money on our pets sometimes. And we are also subject to the newest trends very often. It is true in the field of nutrition as well, and the good old statement “a dog is a beast and needs meat” gradually ceases to apply. However, is that really true? Should we obey the newest fashionable fads even in dog nutrition and force our dogs to adjust to various diets?
Firstly, let’s have a look at what trends are dominant in dog nutrition.
Vegan dogs and raw diets
One of the trends the popularity of which has been growing prominence recently is dog veganism. Many people decide for being vegan also in order to reduce their ecological footprint and have the least impact on the environment. And then, they have the same approach with the same underlying opinion to their furry friend nutrition. Although, a sustainable approach towards the environment is close to my heart, I do not identify myself with purely plant-based diet for dogs. Vets are also against this trend. They say that vegan or raw diet may even cause allergies in dogs. Therefore, raw treats shouldn’t be overused.
Grain-free dog food
Another trend popular in dog nutrition is the so-called grain-free (or gluten-free) dog food I have already written something about. Grain-free (GF) is the concept of nutrition which rejects gains. The supporters of this philosophy base it on the assumption that the dog is unable to digest grains and some of grains might even cause adverse reactions, intolerance and allergies in healthy dogs. Contrary to dog veganism, this is a healthy trend.
BARFing
Return to the natural roots. This is how you could describe the new way of nutrition called barfing. The abbreviation B.A.R.F. can be explained in several ways. The most common explanation is “Bones and Raw Food”. To put it simply, it is feeding our beasts in the most natural way for them, i.e. using raw meat. Noone can probably make any objections against. For barfing, a general rule 80-10-10 (80 % meat, 10 % bones and 10 % organs) is recommended. The last trend is to reduce the amount of pure meat and add various organs, up to 25 %.
Good old classics
As you can see, there’s always a lot going on with regard to dog food. I could definitely continue with other trends in dog nutrition. Enhanced contents as well as new packages promoting what’s inside constantly appear. It probably doesn’t mind if you go for holistic dry dog food or prefer quality meat cans – whether classic such as cans from Brit Fresh line, or mono-protein for example, which are recommended in the cases of food intolerance.
The important thing you should take care of is if the food provides complete and balanced nutrition for the animal. It means that it contains all important proteins. And you’ll make no mistake if you pick some food containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fat acids which have beneficial effects not only on the dog's fur which is shiny but also for its immune system.
Whatever your decision will be, be sure to consult your vet or use the services of dog nutrition experts before you start experimenting with your dog’s nutrition. After all, health is the most important and we shouldn’t treat their nutrition lightly.
Simon’s Cat, Grumpy Cat or Lil Bub, these are celebrities among cats almost every cat lover knows. However, I will introduce you to a few blogs related to cats in general where you can find interesting information, advice and experience from living...
Kennel cough is a common and easily spread dog disease. How is it transmitted, what progress does it have and how is it treated? Even though it cannot be transmitted to humans, it may endanger other pets in the household.
Winter doesn’t need to be a synonym for tiredness and lying on a sofa in the comfort of your home. This year, there wasn’t much snow. However, this doesn’t need to stand between you and your dog’s walking outside and having fun.
There are quite a few dog food cans on the market. What should we take into account to pick the right one?
Every proper cat lover is not just fine with having one cat companion at home. Some people collect cat figures, others fancy books about cats and some may like watching cat films. Do you like it, too? If you do, you might get some inspiration here.
Dogs of this small breed are curious and full of energy. They love being at the centre of attention, so they like to show off. They are loyal and sensitive companions which do not handle separation well.
You might have come across something about BFRs in discussions concerning a fearful dog, moving a cat or New Year’s Eve celebrations. Are you wondering what they are and what they can help your pet with?
In today’s hectic world, many people don’t dare to get a dog because of the financial burden it presents and the time it consumes. Others can’t have a dog because of their health issues. Nevertheless, they have an opportunity to spend some time with a...
Have you ever wondered how it is possible that dogs can wade through snow or run on ice with their bare feet and the paws don’t get frostbites? We know why!
The Oriental Shorthair cats are very similar to Siamese cats in terms of their appearance as well as character. These elegant cats are suitable for extroverts who are looking for a companion at all times. This is because you will always know about...
Is rice, i.e. cereals, good for a dog’s diet? Is it just a filler or a valuable source of nutrients?
A study has shown that dogs have a certain talent for languages that had only been associated with people before. Their skills for the recognition of human speech are far more complex than we have been aware of so far.
