WHAT FACTORS ARE IMPORTANT WHEN SELECTING A BRAND OF DOG FOOD?
PROTEIN Proteins contain essential amino acids which are the building blocks for growth and repair of the body. The average dog requires a minimum of 22% protein in dry dog food for basic maintenance; higher levels are required in pregnant or lactating bitches. Unlike fat, very little excess protein is stored by the body. Most excess protein is degraded and excreted by the kidneys. (Therefore, feeding expensive, high-protein performance dog foods to the average dog is equivalent to “urinating”-away money!) Dogs, however, with high daily energy requirements, such as working dogs, require higher protein levels. In this case, high performance dog foods are required because they are specially formulated with highly digestible sources of protein to provide energy requirements and prevent protein depletion. It is important to note, however, that high protein content listed on a dog food label does not guarantee a nutritional advantage. Nutritionally, the source of dietary protein is perhaps
