Choosing the Best Food for Your Dog
Food plays a vital role in ensuring that your dog can train hard for the upcoming seasons. It is crucial to your dogs’ performance that they get the right nutrients and care in order to compete at the championship level. Here are a few ways to make sure that happens.
Identify their needs
Every dog is unique. From German Shorthair Pointers to Golden Retrievers, each dog may have unique nutritional requirements. When you begin working with a dog, it is best to consult with a veterinarian to make sure they get the right nutrients for their current stage of life. Your veterinarian can evaluate your dog’s health and determine what quantities, protein levels, and dietary concerns to keep in mind.
Select a food
After the veterinarian gives you the specifics, it is best to find a food that tailors to those needs. Here are a few common factors to look for when selecting your dogs food.
Grain Free vs Grain Based
A common recommendation that your vet may make is to have your dog on a grain-free diet. Simply put, that would be food without the presence of grains like corn, wheat, barley, rice, millet, or sorghum. If your dog is not sensitive to grains, they are a great source of carbohydrates that have been used for many years. Check out our Sportsman’s Pride Grain Based and Grain Free diets.
No Artificial Flavors, Colors, or Preservatives
It is always recommended to keep your dog’s food as natural as possible. This would mean no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. All the best flavor naturally comes from using the best ingredients. Natural preservatives from Vitamin E will protect the food from rancidity.
Skin & Coat Care
Another common trait to look for in your pet food is Omega 3 and Fatty Acids that promote healthy skin & coat. While you are working with your dogs, the last thing you want to worry about is any issues that may come up with hotspots or distractions from training due to itchy skin. One of the best skin and coat systems is Omega Pride®. A proprietary blend that has a proper balance of Omega 3 and Six fatty acids, which are essential for good immune function, increased skin moisture, and an improved hair coat. All Sportsman’s Pride products carry the Omega Pride Skin & Coat system, check them out here.
Monitor your dog
When determining what food will best fuel your dogs, it is important to watch for certain factors that will let you know they are getting the correct amount of nutrients. If their stools are soft, they may not be absorbing the right amount of nutrients from their food. Look for a firm stool that makes for easy cleanup. This is usually a good sign that they are getting the right nutrients.
Appetite fluctuations are another thing to watch for when you’re figuring out the right, balanced diet. If you notice that your dogs are not wanting to eat much, it could mean that they're getting too much protein and aren’t burning it off while they work. If they are always looking for their next meal, their current food might not be delivering the protein levels that your dog needs. Always follow feeding recommendations and don’t overfeed to prevent your dogs from becoming lethargic.
