Canine Nutrition: The Basics

Nutrition is based around 6 basic components. All are essential within your dogs’ diet to ensure they lead happy and healthy lives. The basics are listed below to help you better understand your dogs’ nutritional needs.

Proteins are a source of energy and are made up of amino acids. Feeding them helps the body perform and maintain every day functions including growth and immunity.

Proteins occur in both animal and plant matter. Dogs digest animal derived proteins far more efficiently than vegetable proteins, which is why our diets contain only meat and poultry as the main protein sources. This means that your dogs will remain fit and healthy on a smaller quantity of food than those of our competitors. Owners will also benefit by having a smaller volume of firm stools to clear up from their dogs. The meaty flavour of our foods also makes them exceptionally palatable.

Fats within the diet provide essential fatty acids, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and can also add to the flavour of the food to improve palatability for your dog.

Omega 3 and 6 are essential fatty acids and can be found in all of our diets. They offer several health benefits and are vital in maintaining brain and nerve function. They also aid in the building of healthy cells.

Linseed is added to Masters products to give your dog a beautiful, glossy coat and to supply optimum levels of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

Carbohydrates include sugars, starches, and dietary fibre. It is considered by some that they are not necessary in a dogs diet, however dietary fibre can help with gut motility and may be beneficial to bacteria within the gut.

It is worth noting that when eaten in excess, the body converts Carbohydrate into fat.

Vitamins are classed as fat soluble or water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E & K) are absorbed through the gut along with fat and stored within the body. Water soluble vitamins (Vitamin B complex & C) are not stored within the body and require the dog to have a daily intake.

Minerals are broken down into Macro minerals e.g Calcium & Potassium, and Micro minerals e.g. Copper & Iron. They are all essential for correct growth and body function, including the formation of bone and Haemoglobin.

Imbalances, excesses, or deficiencies of vitamins and minerals can be detrimental. Supplementation should not be required when a complete diet is being fed.

Water is one of the most important and basic requirements to keep dogs healthy. Water helps with maintaining body temperature and general cell heath within the body. Daily requirements will differ depending on your dogs size and age but must always be available.

Make sure there is always a clean fresh supply of water for your dog. Make sure this is emptied and replaced often to keep it fresh.

All Masters products are complete diets. They supply all the nutrients essential for your dog’s health and vitality in one meal, and do not require the addition of extra meat or biscuits.