How to choose which food is best for your working dogs
Working out which is the best food for your working dogs can be confusing.
The objective should be to select the dog food that best matches both your budget and the huge amount of work your dogs do each day. Reading the bag carefully can help. So what should you look out for?
#1 Is protein above 24%?
Protein and fat are arguably the two most important ingredients of dog food. Protein contains amino acids which help build muscle and aid muscle recovery. Hard working dogs generally need protein levels above 24% – anything below that is unlikely to meet their needs.
#2 Does it contain at least 10% fat?
Working dog food should contain at least 10% fat, which provides ‘fuel’ to keep a working dog’s energy stores topped up. Fat also provides the pathway for the essential fat-soluble vitamins to be absorbed by dogs for optimum health and wellbeing.
#3 Are the ingredients good quality?
Ingredient quality and bioavailability matter. Good bioavailability means nutrients can be more readily absorbed into the bloodstream, which reduces the amount of nutrients excreted as waste. As a general rule, a dog food with a better nutritional profile will result in fewer, smaller and firmer stools.
#4 Is meat the no. 1 ingredient?
Meat is a great source of easily digestible protein and fat for dogs. When you compare dog food brands, check where meat is ranked in the ingredients list and then look at what types of meat are listed. Are individual meat sources, such as beef or chicken, specifically named or are they grouped together under the generic description of ‘meat’? Transparency of the protein sources is especially important when purchasing food for dogs with sensitivities.
#5 What grains are in the food?
Take note of what types of grains are in the food. Cereals provide a rich source of digestible carbohydrates that provide sustainable energy for growth and endurance. Rice is easily digested by dogs, therefore like meat, it has good nutrient bioavailability.
Brown rice is one of the best sources of digestible carbohydrates – it contains rice bran oil, a natural source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s also rich in omega fatty acids, which support brain development, aid joint flexibility, help ease inflammation and are excellent for skin and coat conditioning.
#6 Does it contain enough vitamins, minerals and electrolytes?
Working dogs need superior nutrition. Balanced working dog food should contain sufficient levels of vitamins, minerals and electrolytes to meet their needs. In particular, working dogs need a rich source of vitamins A and E, zinc and selenium to support the formation of cells and the maintenance of the body systems. B-group vitamins promote metabolic function and energy production, while electrolytes stimulate muscles and nerves, which can help reduce fatigue.
#7 Does it contain other useful supplements & antioxidants?
Working dogs also benefit from the inclusion of supplements, such as beta-carotene (vital for retina and optical nerve health), glucosamine (which assists in rebuilding cartilage and has an anti-inflammatory effect), DHA (marine microalgae) (for eye, brain and heart health) and antioxidants (which may assist injury healing, can aid muscle recovery and boost immunity) – and therefore play a vital role in keeping your dog fit and healthy.
