Understand the nutritional needs of different dog breeds

With so many dog breeds globally, it can become difficult to keep track of what each one needs. Sure, dogs have similar nutritional needs, but they have some differences you must keep in mind, and you may want to discover your dog’s family tree for some possible health needs and issues. With that in mind, we decided to mention nutritional needs all dogs should pay attention to and four more based on your dog’s needs.

Daily vitamins

You must make sure your dog gets the daily vitamins needed to function properly and remain healthy. While keeping track of these various vitamins can be difficult, you can make it easier by researching ahead of time. This will involve figuring out what your dog needs and feeding your dog based on those necessary vitamins.

For example, you could see which dog brands include the correct vitamins and nutrients for your dog. From there, you can give your dog what they need and add to the diet based on breed-specific problems. This will require you to look into the different brands available, but you can meet your dog’s vitamin needs by doing this.

Hard food for dental needs

You will notice many dog food brands come in hard food form while others are soft and easier to eat. While some dogs may prefer soft food, you can better meet your dog’s health needs by using hard food. While it isn’t a perfect solution, hard food assists your dog with cleaning their teeth, making it ideal for most dog breeds.

You can mix the two if you find a soft food brand with better nutritional value than hard food. That way, your dog can meet their nutrient needs while also ensuring you take care of your furry friend’s teeth. On top of that, you can find other dental equipment and treats for your dog to enjoy while addressing dental care.

Balancing calories

When it comes to feeding your dog, you need to do your best to find the right amount of calories for your furry friend. For example, a Great Dane needs more calories than a Yorkie does, so you must figure out how many calories your dog should eat. This will involve paying attention to your dog and adjusting the calories based on their weight.

For example, if your dog looks a bit underweight, you can add more food to the diet, but you can also reduce the amount of food if your dog puts on too much weight. Make sure you also throw exercise into the mix since dogs should exercise each day. Pay attention to your dog and do your best to balance the calories properly.

Fish oil

Sometimes, dogs need natural oil in their systems to remain healthy, so you may need to get your dog fish oil. Fish oil is a supplement designed to help dogs in various ways. For example, it can assist dogs with heart problems, help with dry skin and even help the minds of older dogs.

Some dogs may be more prone to heart problems than others, so you may want to use fish oil if your dog has this issue. The same applies to breeds like Chihuahuas, who sometimes have skin issues or dry coats, so do your best to find the right supplement for your furry friend. Fish oil is great for dogs that struggle with their coats, so see if your dog needs it.

Joint supplements

Dog breeds also struggle with their joints becoming inflamed or weakening with time, so you may want to use joint supplements. For example, tall dogs with long legs like St. Bernards can have joint pains due to their long legs. However, the issue doesn’t only happen in big dogs.

For example, Corgis can struggle with joint pains due to their short legs compared to their larger bodies. This also applies to dogs with similar builds, such as Dachshunds. You can also give joint supplements to your dog if they start to get old and shows signs of knee problems such as limping or the inability to walk for long periods of time.

Protein levels

This may seem strange, but you should also consider how much protein your dog eats. While protein is a necessary part of a dog’s diet, some dogs may need more protein than others. For example, a Chihuahua may not need as much protein in its system as a German Shepherd or larger dogs.

Not only can protein affect weight and health for a dog, but it can also help with allergies. As explained in the link, Golden Retrievers tend to have negative skin reactions to certain foods, so you should stick with one type of protein to avoid this issue. Make sure you research your dog breed to find out what type of protein your dog needs.

Calcium

Another important aspect of your dog’s nutritional needs is calcium intake. Calcium is a mineral designed to help strengthen dogs’ bones. Calcium helps build them up while keeping them strong, making them important for dogs since they constantly walk and use their leg bones throughout the day.

Be mindful of how much calcium your dog consumes. For example, recommended calcium levels for a Golden Retriever won’t be the same as ones for a Pug, so make sure you look into this. Otherwise, you run the risk of giving your dog too much calcium, leading to unnecessary health issues for your furry friend.

Understand your dog’s nutritional needs

Dog breeds have differences you must keep in mind, so you should do some research to figure out your dog’s nutritional needs. As you do so, you can figure out what your dog needs to eat to avoid health problems in the future. Make sure you apply the ones mentioned in this article, so you can keep your dog happy, healthy, and safe.

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