Caissie Canine Instruction: Healthy Ingredients to Look for in your Pet’s Food

We begin this week’s “RUFF TAILS” featuring a beautiful 10-month-old German Shepherd named Callie.

Callie doesn’t quite look like a puppy anymore; her attitude and energy say otherwise. She’s full of spank and sass, but also loves to curl up and cuddle.

Callie loves playing tug in the park and even watching a good movie or show with her pawrents! We’re so grateful for the work we’ve been doing with Paul and the progress we’ve seen in helping Callie learn her strength and how to operate as a pack.

Welcome to Doggie Dialogue

When looking for a healthy choice in pet food, we recommend looking for healthy fats, such as salmon oil or flaxseed. These fats support heart health and brain function.

Protein, organ meats, and eggs are all nutritional powerhouses to also look for. Whole vegetables and fruits like carrots, sweet potatoes and blueberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

We recommend avoiding foods that are high in artificial preservatives, fillers, and artificial colour.

Protein is one of the 1st ingredients to look for in your pet’s food. Proteins are fundamental building blocks of all living cells and are crucial for your K9’s growth, reproduction, and helps to repair damaged tissues. The quality of the protein in a dog’s diet is determined by its digestibility, amino acid, and bioavailability. (how well it’s absorbed and utilized)

In dog food, protein will come from a variety of sources, and these can typically be divided into two main types: animal-based proteins and plant-based proteins.

Animal based proteins are generally considered the best sources of proteins for dogs as they contain a complete amino acid profile. They are also easily digestible for dogs.

Plant-based protein can include corn, lentils, peas, oats, wheat, and rice. It is recommended to mix your animal-based protein in with your plant-based protein.

Things to avoid in your K9’s food is “poultry by-product”, artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives.

Also, generic fats and protein labelled simply as “meat” or “animal fat” should be avoided. Some K9’s foods contain sweeteners, like corn syrup to enhance the taste. Please avoid.

If you have any questions regarding your K9’s diet, we recommend reaching out to your veterinarian.