Important Nutrients Every Active Dog Needs
Like humans, dogs require a well-balanced diet with nutrients to support their energy levels, joint health, and overall health and performance.
A balanced and nutrient-rich diet helps active dogs maintain optimal body condition, muscular strength, good digestion and nutrient absorption, dental health and stamina. It also aids post-exercise recovery, supports joint health, and enhances the immune system. So, let's explore these important specific nutrients, but before we do, it's important to note that individual dog requirements may vary based on age, breed, size, and activity level. Therefore, consulting with a veterinarian to determine the specific nutritional needs of your active dog is always recommended.
During exercise and physical activity, muscles experience micro-tears that require repair and rebuilding. Adequate protein intake provides the amino acids for this process, supporting muscle recovery and helping limit muscle breakdown.
To ensure your dog receives the right amount of protein, it is vital to choose high-quality high quality and highly digestible proteins. Eukanuba uses a combination of Chicken and Turkey protein as a first ingredient, these highly digestible proteins, provide a complete amino acid profile, promoting optimal muscle development and repair.
If you are ever unsure of your dogs requirements please consult your veterinarian.
Ensuring your dog consumes an adequate amount of high-quality protein after exercise helps provide the necessary amino acids for protein synthesis, enabling the rebuilding of damaged muscle fibers.
Eukanuba diets use only high-quality ingredients to ensure 100% complete and balanced nutrition that exceeds AAFCO standards. Our diets are specially formulated with high quality proteins at different levels to meet the lifestyle (moderate to high intensive physical activity) of your dogs as well as their life stage (puppy, adult, senior). Additionally, Eukanuba diets may contain Low Indigestible Protein (L.I.P) which are selected for their high digestibility meaning that more proteins are digested for each amount of food consumed.
Benefits of using L.I.P. include;
A balanced and nutrient-rich diet helps active dogs maintain optimal body condition, muscular strength, good digestion and nutrient absorption, dental health and stamina. It also aids post-exercise recovery, supports joint health, and enhances the immune system. So, let's explore these important specific nutrients, but before we do, it's important to note that individual dog requirements may vary based on age, breed, size, and activity level. Therefore, consulting with a veterinarian to determine the specific nutritional needs of your active dog is always recommended.
Protein: The Building Block of Muscles
High-quality protein plays a pivotal role in supporting the body and performance of active dogs. It comprises amino acids, fundamental components responsible for tissue development and repair. Serving as the building blocks of muscles, protein holds immense significance in growth, repair, and maintenance. Consequently, ensuring active dogs receive a sufficient protein intake is crucial, as their muscles are subjected to continuous stress and strain.During exercise and physical activity, muscles experience micro-tears that require repair and rebuilding. Adequate protein intake provides the amino acids for this process, supporting muscle recovery and helping limit muscle breakdown.
To ensure your dog receives the right amount of protein, it is vital to choose high-quality high quality and highly digestible proteins. Eukanuba uses a combination of Chicken and Turkey protein as a first ingredient, these highly digestible proteins, provide a complete amino acid profile, promoting optimal muscle development and repair.
How Much Protein Do Dogs Need?
The daily amount of protein each dog will need will depend on their various life stage and life style, for instance growing puppies will need a higher protein amount in their diet to support the growth of muscles and overall body composition. Performance dogs and high energy dog will also need a higher protein content in their diet to help with muscle recovery.If you are ever unsure of your dogs requirements please consult your veterinarian.
The Benefits of Protein for Your Dog
For dogs, proteins are essential for building and repairing muscles, playing a crucial role in muscle repair and growth to keep them strong and active.Ensuring your dog consumes an adequate amount of high-quality protein after exercise helps provide the necessary amino acids for protein synthesis, enabling the rebuilding of damaged muscle fibers.
Eukanuba diets use only high-quality ingredients to ensure 100% complete and balanced nutrition that exceeds AAFCO standards. Our diets are specially formulated with high quality proteins at different levels to meet the lifestyle (moderate to high intensive physical activity) of your dogs as well as their life stage (puppy, adult, senior). Additionally, Eukanuba diets may contain Low Indigestible Protein (L.I.P) which are selected for their high digestibility meaning that more proteins are digested for each amount of food consumed.
Benefits of using L.I.P. include;
- Limiting the flow of indigestible proteins in the colon
- Reducing stool quantity
- Limiting undesirable feacal ordours
- Improving efficiency of the digestive system particularly in puppies, senior dogs, sensitive dogs and larger dogs
Healthy Fats for Sustained Energy
Healthy fats play a vital role in providing sustained energy and supporting your dog's overall health. While protein is essential for muscle development and repair, healthy fats provide a concentrated energy source to fuel their activities and maintain endurance.In addition to providing energy, fats contribute to joint health and reduce inflammation. Essential fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6 are particularly beneficial to support skin and coat health.
The National Institute of Health has shown that Omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), are linked to numerous health benefits in healthy dogs including; brain development, skin and coat condition, bone and joint support as well as reduction in inflammation which helps support the maintenance of body organs as reported by Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists.
Carbohydrates for Quick Energy
The fuel necessary for physical activity and maintenance needs comes from carbohydrates which are a primary energy source. This energy is available as ATP and stored within the muscles in the form of glycogen which has to be replenished through the constant anaerobic metabolism glucose. Unfortunately anaerobic metabolism of glucose although rapid provide little energy (compared to fats) and yields lactic acid. Therefore, carbohydrates as a source of energy are preferred when a dog is carrying out short intense exercise lasting less than 30 minutes (The role of nutrition in canine performance and rehabilitation).Hydration: Essential for Performance
Just like us, hydration is key to supporting your dog's overall performance and plays a crucial role in maintaining their health and well-being.Always make sure your dog has access to fresh and clean water at all times, especially during and after physical activities. Encouraging regular water breaks and monitoring their water intake is crucial in preventing dehydration.
NRC 2006 The National Research Council guidance on dog nutrition reports a range of 37.5 to 72.9 mL per kilogram of dog body weight each day. However, this guideline increases during intense exercise or hot weather conditions and may vary depending on your dogs breed, size, activity level, and environmental conditions.
Vitamins & Minerals
Active dogs require a range of vitamins and minerals to help support their immune function, overall health, and recovery from physical activities. These micronutrients play crucial roles in various physiological processes and are necessary for optimal performance as shown by Levi and co-authors 2013, 2013.- Vitamin A supports vision, growth, and immune response
- Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps collagen synthesis
- Vitamin E helps protect your dog's cells from oxidative damage
- The B-complex vitamins are essential for energy production, as well as ensuring healthy nervous system function and red blood cell formation
Minerals are equally important, and all help to provide different benefits. Below are some specific attributes of each of these minerals:
Additionally Omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) also play a significant role in joint health for your dog. These have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce joint inflammation and alleviate discomfort . Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the overall health of joint tissues, promoting flexibility and mobility Levi and co-authors.
Providing the right balance of protein, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory nutrients is just as important as maintaining a healthy weight and balancing calorie intake and energy expenditure. To help with all of this, Eukanuba’s high-quality diets ensure your dog receives nutrients without compromising calorie intake.
By prioritising nutrition and choosing Eukanuba, you can help support your dog's performance, overall well-being, and longevity. Just remember, every dog is unique, so consulting with your vet to tailor a nutrition plan specific to your best friend's needs is essential.
- Calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are essential for maintaining strong bones, muscle function, and overall cellular health
- Potassium and sodium electrolytes help maintain fluid balance and support proper muscle and nerve function
- Zinc, copper, and iron are important for immune function, energy production, and oxygen transport
Joint Support for High-Impact Activities
NRC (2006) states that maintaining healthy joints is paramount for active dogs engaging in high-impact activities . The repetitive stress and strain on their joints during exercise can lead to wear and tear over time. Fortunately, specific nutrients can support joint health, prevent injuries, and promote mobility NRC (2006) .Additionally Omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) also play a significant role in joint health for your dog. These have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce joint inflammation and alleviate discomfort . Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the overall health of joint tissues, promoting flexibility and mobility Levi and co-authors.
The Importance of Choosing High-Quality Dog Food
Eukanuba understands the unique nutritional needs of active dogs and offers a range of products formulated to provide the adequate nutrition for their differing energetic lifestyles.Providing the right balance of protein, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory nutrients is just as important as maintaining a healthy weight and balancing calorie intake and energy expenditure. To help with all of this, Eukanuba’s high-quality diets ensure your dog receives nutrients without compromising calorie intake.
By prioritising nutrition and choosing Eukanuba, you can help support your dog's performance, overall well-being, and longevity. Just remember, every dog is unique, so consulting with your vet to tailor a nutrition plan specific to your best friend's needs is essential.