To keep your dog healthy, you really need to look at the dog food you are feeding. You need to understand a dog’s particular nutritional requirements and how to address them.

If your dog does not get the proper nutrients from his food, the result can be stunted growth, shortened lifespan, and a greater susceptibility to illness and allergies.Dogs, like any other animal, need five basic nutrients to survive: protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients provide different functions and are necessary to sustain the health and well-being of your pet. Proteins are made up of amino acids. They are considered the building blocks to your dog’s health. Some, but not all, necessary amino acids are synthesized by the dog. However, the other essential amino acids must come from your dog’s food.When choosing dog foods, ensure there is an adequate amount of protein to keep your dogs healthy. And the majority of the protein source needs to be from an animal source, not grain. But too much protein, however, can cause obesity as excess protein is converted to fat.Fats are used to deliver other nutrients to the body as well as a source of energy. So much bad press about fats in diets has most of us thinking to avoid them as much as possible. But this is not true. Fats are necessary in diets, for both humans and their canine companions. It’s the kind and amount of fat that can lead to health problems and obesity. Your dog needs the correct fats for proper kidney function, to transport fat-soluble vitamins to cells, and for a healthy skin and coat. Carbohydrates are a main source of energy for your dog. But not all carbohydrates are created equal, and some are more common allergy triggers in sensitive dogs. Corn, wheat, and soy are common carb sources in dog food. By themselves, they are acceptable sources. However, if your dog is only getting by-products of these grains, they are not getting all the nutrients they need.Vitamins and Minerals are necessary for optimal health and should naturally be supplied by your dog food. Most dog foods have vitamins and minerals added in. However, these diminish in both quality and quantity the longer the dog food is opened. So your dog may not be getting enough by the end of the bag of dog food. Which is where specially formulated vitamin supplements for dogs come in to play. These ensure your pet gets all the elemental vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy.