For a dog food to be complete and balanced, it must be made up of all the essential nutrients needed for your dog to live a healthy and happy life. It must also meet the energy requirements of your furry friend, regardless of their age or activity levels.
All our nourishing recipes tick this box as they contain every nutrient required to support each stage of your dog’s development, so you can feed them their favourite recipe continuously.
A LOOK AT NUTRIENTS
Sara, our nutritionist, talks about nutrients a lot; they are the building blocks of every healthy diet, have a function in body processes and are essential for development.
Here’s what every bowlful needs to include to support your dog’s overall health and vitality. However, remember that many factors can influence the nutritional requirements of your four-legged friend. From their life stage, breed and health to activity levels, environment, pregnancy and lactation.
HIGH-QUALITY PROTEIN
Animal and fish sources are highly digestible, high-quality proteins. The function of protein is to help grow and repair tissue, regulate the metabolism and serve as a source of energy.
FAT
Essential fatty acids are another great energy source and transport vitamins, protect vital organs and support brain development. They must be supplied via the diet as dogs can’t make them in sufficient amounts. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in joint health, skin and coat health, heart health and brain development in puppies.
FIBRE
Fibre aids digestive health and can be found in grains like wholegrain rice. The two types of fibre, soluble and insoluble, help your four-legged friend pass food, preventing constipation, and slow the rate of digestion to give that “fuller for longer” feeling.
VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Vitamins and minerals are provided by a variety of ingredients, like animal protein sources and vegetables. It is important that vitamins and minerals in complete dog foods are carefully balanced to help maintain optimum health and vitality.
WATER
The most important nutrient. Essential for all functions, for example, transporting some vitamins around the body, temperature regulation and aiding waste removal. Dogs typically require around 60ml per kg of their body weight each day.
A WORD ABOUT CARBOHYDRATES
Although often present in dog foods, there is no nutritional requirement for carbohydrates (a fast-acting energy source for the brain and muscles) in complete and balanced dog foods. Instead, fat and protein can provide energy to your four-legged friend. Carbohydrates are necessary for pregnant and lactating dogs, though.
A 100% COMPLETE AND BALANCED MEAL EVERY TIME
All of our nourishing dog food recipes are 100% complete and balanced, giving your loyal friend everything they need. But to maintain their health and vitality, it’s important to ensure the recipe you choose for your dog is right for the individual stage of their development.
That’s why there’s a nutritionally balanced food for every dog, from puppy and adult to those with a sensitive stomach or watching their weight.
Not only do we promise that our nutritious meals are 100% complete and balanced, we also promise we always use natural ingredients, from British and Irish farms and in recyclable packaging too*
If you’d like to learn more about feeding and treating tips visit our website for more: https://butchersdogfood.co.uk/feeding-and-treating-tips/
We hope our guide helps you to understand more about feeding wet food and treats. Also, what signs to look out for to make sure your four-legged friend stays fit and healthy.
*Tins, foil trays and treats packaging.
