With the recent recalls a lot of people are making dog food comparisons in order to determine the best choice for their dog’s health and welfare. While comparing quality and quantity of the various ingredients in your dog’s food is very important it is also critical that you make sure the foods being compared include all of the essential components that dogs need for optimal health.

There are many different kinds of nutrients that the average canine needs to survive and thrive, including:

Protein (for the essential amino acids)

Fat (for the oils and fatty acids)

Carbohydrates (for energy)

Vitamins & Minerals (for brain function and various physical functions)

Water (of good quality)

So when you are comparing various dog foods you should also be checking to make sure your ultimate choice or choices contain all of the essentials.

Protein - There are at least 10 essential amino acids contained in protein that dogs have no way of making internally. In other words, your dog cannot survive without these amino acids. Dogs seem to know this instinctively and tend to avoid foods that lack amino acids. Some of the recent controversy discussed in dog food ratings and in the news surrounds the questionable quality of the protein provided in many dog foods. When comparing dog foods, if the protein comes from "animal byproducts" it should be avoided. The protein need to come directly from animal meat, not byproducts.

Fat – Another essential element that a dog cannot create internally is fatty acids. Fatty acids are not only necessary to sustain life but are also necessary to provide for body functions such as brain function, creating cell structure and cellular functions, carrying fat soluble vitamins throughout the body, maintaining healthy skin and coat, resistance to disease and infections and promoting good vision.

Carbs - Carbohydrates including fructose, glucose and starches provide some of the energy (calories) that dogs need on a daily basis. An adult dog's diet can include up to fifty percent carbohydrates according to studies. Non-digestible fiber provides very minimal energy or nutrition so it is best that the included fiber constitutes no more than 4.5% of the total volume.

Vitamins – Vitamins are necessary for many internal functions of the body such as the transmission of nerve impulses, enzymatic reactions and cell signaling. They are also vital for muscle contraction, strong bones and healthy teeth. The most essential vitamins are:

Vitamin A

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)

Vitamin B5

Vitamin B12

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Vitamin K

Choline

Folic Acid

Niacin

Pantothenic Acid

Riboflavin

Minerals – Several Minerals are also essential to internal body and brain functions mentioned above including:

Calcium

Chlorine

Copper

Iodine

Iron

Magnesium

Manganese

Phosphorus

Potassium

Selenium

Sodium

Zinc

The amount of protein, fat and other nutrients will vary somewhat, depending on the size, age, activity level and physical condition of the dog. Puppies and dogs that are pregnant or nursing actually require as much as twice the amount of protein as the average adult dog. Puppies also need more than double the calories as an adult dog, whereas older dogs that are less active, may require twenty percent less calories than and active middle-aged dogs.

Pregnant Dogs require 33-66% more calories than non pregnant adults while nursing dogs may require 200-400% more calories than non-nursing dogs. The amount they will need depends on how many puppies they are nursing and how long they have been nursing. The more weeks of nursing the more calories they will need.

Once you have made sure that the dog foods you are comparing include these essentials, you can then focus your dog food comparison efforts on the quality and quantities provided by each prospective dog food source.

Ultimately, when you are comparing dog foods, you will need to not only make sure that the ingredients used are of high quality and the proper quantity, but you will also want to make sure that all of the essential nutrients are being provided to keep you dog healthy and happy.