Principles of dog nutrition - should I add hemp to my dog and why?

Proper nutrition for dogs is very important in itself because it affects the overall well-being and health of the animal. You can prevent various diseases with appropriate feed supplements. We recommend them, especially if your pet belongs to breeds with an increased risk - predisposition to some of the common diseases, e.g. arthritis in larger breeds, etc.

How to choose a feeding method?

• pellets or canned food
• BARF
• home preparation (pasta, rice, vegetables, etc.)
• combination

There are lots of ways to feed and what to feed, from classic pellets or canned food to occasional home cooking of meat, side dishes and vegetables to feeding BARF - raw meat. Something different suits every dog and owner. Some dogs are happy with BARF and don't want kibble, others have digestive problems after BARF and prefer classic kibble. Also for the owner, kibble is the easiest way of feeding in terms of preparation and storage. So it's best to try what suits you and your dog best.

What are the principles of good dog nutrition?

• Puppies should be fed more often per day, adults should be fed twice a day.
• It is not good to feed animals according to the dog's taste.
• Do not change types of feeding quickly.
• If we want to change to another type or method, always slowly.
• Allow the dog at least half an hour of rest after eating.
• Do not combine kibble and meat together - the processing of meat and concentrated food (kibble) in the dog's digestive system is different. Be aware that alternating or mixing these foods together can interfere with digestive processes. 

Proper dog nutrition should include

• Water - the dog should have unlimited water throughout the day. The body of the animal contains about 70% of it and it is important for the proper functioning of the organism and the functioning of biochemical reactions in the body of the animal.
• Protein - is the primary building material of the tissues and provides the body with energy.
• Fats - the most efficient source of energy.
• Carbohydrates can be divided into digestible (e.g. rice starch), which are used as a readily available source of energy, and indigestible (e.g. fibre), which play an important role in maintaining proper digestive function - for example, they positively affect gut motility.
• Vitamins
• Minerals

Of course, feeding is further differentiated according to the age, load or disease of each dog.

Can hemp be incorporated into dog food?

Yes, definitely! Whichever way you feed your pet, hemp can be added. It contains plenty of unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and helps maintain a harmonious system. Whether in the form of hemp bran, cake or oil from seeds.

The bran is suitable due to its high fibre content. It supports proper digestion and elimination, naturally cleansing the intestines of food residues. Cake is suitable for supplementing vegetable protein. They have an incredible content of 55%, making them a perfect supplement even for dogs under higher physical stress or convalescence for gaining muscle mass. And hemp oil contains omega 3-6-9 unsaturated fatty acids in the ideal ratio, which the body cannot produce on its own, so they need to be replenished.

How to choose a feeding ration?

Choosing the right ratio depends on many factors.

• The size of the dog (small, medium, large, giant breed)
• The condition of the dog (domestic dog, sporting load, puppy, senior, pregnant bitch, lactating, etc.)
• Apartment/house/garden
• Frequency, length and intensity of walking
• Condition (underweight, normal weight, overweight)

There are plenty of calculators on the internet where you enter breed, weight, condition and other factors and an automatic calculation of the recommended daily allowance will occur. If you are still unsure, consult a feeding ration expert, ideally directly with your vet.

Which feed supplements to choose?

There is a long list of feed supplements. It depends on what you need to support your dog. It is a good idea to start with a summary of the dog's health and overall condition and choose supplements accordingly. If you go to shows or just want your dog's coat to shine, reach for a good quality salmon or hemp oil. Oils also act as a prevention of skin diseases. If you have an elderly dog at home, joint nutrition will certainly do him good. If your pet is suffering from liver problems, thistle oil is good for a change. 

Every dog likes to have a treat from time to time, including some sticks specially shaped for cleaning the dog's teeth. It is also good to supplement the dog's diet with the necessary vitamins. Most good quality kibble includes them, but if there is a problem, it's good to focus on vitamin supplementation to help prevent it.

Let's take a closer look at hemp oil in the diet of dogs

Hemp oil is exceptional in its composition. It contains unsaturated omega 3-6-9 fatty acids in the ideal ratio, which the body cannot produce on its own and so needs to be supplemented. It also contains phytosterols, chlorophyll, vitamins (E, A, D, B, C) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron). Thanks to these contained substances, it ensures: the health of the coat and skin, supports natural immunity, reproduction and hormonal balance, has anti-inflammatory properties, normal heart condition, stabilizes arrhythmia, lowers blood pressure, affects the normal state of vision of bones and joints and generally harmonizes the natural processes of the body. In addition, hemp oil is hypoallergenic and acts as an antioxidant.

Some snacks

When selecting suitable rewards and treats, keeping an eye on the meat content and unwanted flavourings and preservatives is a good idea. As a healthy reward, you can also try hemp dog treats, which have already won over many dogs' tongues. Especially the liver ones were also a hit at the Prague For Pets Festival. Hemp treats do not contain any chemical preservatives or flavourings. It is a healthy treat.

---

Article author:

Lucie Garabasova



Read more ...