Your pup is more than just a friendly companion. He is one of the most important members of your family, a loyal friend that was there for the most challenging moment of your life, and a happy and funny pal who can always cheer you up no matter the occasion. Our pets love us with all their might and are dependent on our care and affection. So, for many families, they are the glue that keeps us together, gives us a larger-than-life purpose, and keeps us on our toes. Sure, your fluffball is not the talkative type, and he can’t exactly express himself or tell you verbatim what his nutritional preferences are.
Nevertheless, he deserves only the best. Are you looking to fulfil the nutritional requirements of your pet, keep his energy and vitality at a superior level, reduce the risks of expensive health problems, and make your fluffy friend happy and ready to spend his days in your company? In such a case, you will have to invest in Royal Canin dog food or the offerings of a premium brand with experience in the Australian market.
A Fantastic Way to Show Your Love
Premium brands do not skip on ingredient quality, benefit from the highest product research budgets in the industry and have the most to lose if the commercialised kibble or wet foods are not up to par with previously established standards. Investing in products like Royal Canin dog food is, for all intents and purposes, an intelligent move, as the kibble made by the French brand is recognised for its well-researched balance of proteins, minerals, healthy fats and carbohydrates. The kibble of premium dog food brands can provide the nourishment your pup requires for its day-to-day activities, support his immunity, keep his coat shiny, and have a positive effect both on digestion and dermal health.
Sure, nothing is stopping you from choosing the offerings of less premium food brands or selecting kibble with a lower price-to-quality ratio. But should you really go for something cheaper? Royal Canin dog food is one of the best choices on the market, and the French company is recognised globally for its product innovation and quality consistency. The time we have with our pups is limited, and the companionship they provide us with is priceless. Sure, you can for something cheaper and less recommended by veterinarians. But if you do love your pet, choosing quality kibble should be a no-brainer.
What Are Your Pup’s Nutritional Requirements?
This question can be hard to answer, as dogs come in an impressive variety of sizes that can be characterised by different activity levels or even nutritional preferences. For the sake of this argument, however, let’s assume you own a medium-sized pup, like an Australian Shepherd, and you are interested in providing him with only the best dog food available in the Australian market. The first thing you’ll need to pay attention to is the percentage of macronutrients, like healthy fats and proteins. As a general rule, dogs require 1 gram per protein for 0.5 kg of body weight.
Since the average weight of a male Australian Shepherd is around 25 kg, your (not so small) pup will require an average of 50g of protein per day. It’s essential, however, to also pay attention to the sources of these proteins. Lamb and fish are popular options, as they usually are well tolerated by most dog breeds. However, you should be wary of kibble with chicken-sourced proteins, as in some cases, especially for small breeds like Terriers or Bulldogs, poultry meat can lead to allergic reactions.
Your dog will also require a healthy amount of fats and carbohydrates. The latter is not as crucial for the nutritional balance of your pup, as there isn’t a minimum daily threshold that must be met. Nevertheless, carbs are a good energy source, and when they come from fibres like barley, they support digestion. Fats, on the other hand, are essential for your pup’s health and should account for around 10-15% of his diet. What should you look for? There is no set rule. However, a good rule of thumb is to look for kibble with added APA and DHA oils.
Is That All?
Not quite. Proteins, carbs and fats are the three main macronutrients necessary to ensure your pup’s proper nutritional balance. However, your fluffball will also require a copious number of micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. Royal Canin dog food, for example, is known for the antioxidants added to the kibble composition and is, therefore, recommended by most veterinarians active in Australia. High-quality kibble, like the one produced by Royal Canin, should feature Vitamin A and D sources, such as fish oil and liver, alongside healthy minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, or zinc.
The source of these vitamins and minerals can potentially be bone meal or fibres. Nevertheless, it is essential to only choose kibble with ingredients of known origins and that feature no animal by-products. Food is not everything, though. Your pup is probably an energetic bundle of joy, and he is spending most of his time running around, hunting down your favourite shoes, and messing up your carpets. You love him for it. But to continue doing it, you’ll have to ensure he is adequately hydrated. Medium-sized dogs need around 80ml of water per kg of body weight. So, your 25kg Australian Shepperd will need to drink 2L of water per day (So be sure to walk him at least once every 6 hours).
What Are the Characteristics of Premium Dog Food?
The first, and perhaps the most important thing you need to look out for is the source of the kibble’s protein content and its percentage. You should avoid dog food that utilises animal by-products like skin or connective tissues and only choose brands that are transparent with their labelling. High-quality kibble should be full of healthy fats, like fish oil, provide your pup with the fibres and carbs required for healthy digestion, benefit from added minerals and vitamins, and utilise natural preservatives like ascorbic acid.
As for what you should avoid, responsible dog owners should be suspicious of brands that utilise animal derivatives in the ingredient lists, that feature a high percentage of filler materials like wheat, and that utilise artificial preservatives such as BHA. Royal Canin dog food should check all your boxes, as it’s one of the first brands approved for animal usage by the AAFCO. However, Royal Canin is not the only brand you can choose from. Are you looking for something local? If so, Black Hawk or Meal for Mutts can be great choices. Nevertheless, if you prefer an international brand, Purina or Pedigree should not be missing from your radar.
