Հեփփի Դոգ • Հեփփի Քեթ - Happy Dog • Happy Cat
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Grain – good or bad for dogs?
You might have heard or read that grain is harmful to dogs. Scientifically speaking, however, there is no reason to condemn grain and the carbohydrates it contains. The explanation for this view lies in the evolutionary history of wolves into dogs: Over the course of tens of thousands of years, dogs have perfectly adapted to their lives with humans. In doing so, their ability to digest carbohydrates, such as starches, has improved considerably.
When should you feed your dog grain-free food?
The digestive enzyme which digests starches is 7 times as active in dogs as in wolves. Research has also found many other indications that dogs can make use of carbohydrates to good effect. Therefore, from a present-day perspective, it can be said that grain and other carbohydrates are not necessarily unsuitable for dog nutrition.
Rather, the decision as to whether a dog should be given food containing grain depends far more on the dog’s ‘individual tolerance’, i.e. grain-free food is only necessary for dogs with proven grain intolerance or allergy – and this occurs much less often than many believe.
Meat content – a vague term
Protein is an essential building block in a dog’s system. A vital source of protein in a dog’s diet is meat. But the term ‘meat content’ is not protected under law, nor is there a scientific definition. It can be compared to the term ‘light’ on many products made for humans. A reputable statement on foodstuffs defines meat content as the animal protein as a proportion of the total protein in dog food.
And what about the ‘meat content’ in Happy Dog dry food? Depending on the particular formulation and its use, the ‘animal protein content of the total protein’ in Happy Dog varieties is between 70 % and 80 %. In our specialised formulations, the animal protein content may differ, in order to meet the particular need that each special feed is designed to meet.
By the way: It is not only the protein content in pet food that is important, but also providing variety, since not all proteins are equal. Protein is composed of amino acids – separate building blocks that are quite different to each other. Certain amino acids are essential for carnivores, so it is all about getting the right mix. A balanced diet is therefore necessary for your dog to prevent deficiencies, ensure performance and for a long, healthy life.