LIFESTYLE NEWS - As Responsible Dog Ownership Month draws to a close, pet owners are being reminded that responsible care involves more than veterinary visits, exercise, training and keeping dogs safe.

What goes into a dog’s bowl every day can play an important role in its overall health, making nutrition a key part of responsible pet ownership.

For Sonja Maricevic, Pack Leader Chief Operations Officer, understanding a dog’s food is an important part of making informed choices.

“Choosing food for your dog is an important decision because what they eat every day contributes to their overall health, wellbeing and quality of life,” says Maricevic.

“Pet owners deserve to have a clear understanding of what they are feeding, what the ingredients mean and whether the food provides the nutritional value their dog needs.”

A nutritious diet should provide the essential nutrients dogs need in the right amounts and proportions, while taking into account factors such as age, size, activity levels and individual requirements.

Quality protein is particularly important for maintaining muscle mass and supporting overall condition, while the overall composition of a diet can influence energy levels, digestion and healthy body weight.

Don’t judge dog food by its packaging

The images and claims on pet food packaging can make it tempting to assume that a prominently featured ingredient makes up a substantial part of the recipe.

However, packaging does not necessarily tell the full story.

Understanding the ingredient list and nutritional composition can provide a clearer picture of what a dog is actually eating. Ingredients are generally listed in descending order by weight, meaning their position on the list can provide an indication of their contribution to the recipe.

For owners looking for a meat-based diet, paying attention to where named animal proteins appear on the ingredient list can therefore be useful.

“There can be a significant nutritional difference between a food containing 4% or 15% chicken and one where animal ingredients make up 40% or even 85% of the recipe,” explains Maricevic.

“The percentage matters because it affects the overall protein content, the carbohydrate load and the nutritional contribution of the food. A picture of a chicken on the front of a bag does not tell you how much chicken is actually in the recipe.”

Price, meanwhile, should not be viewed as a substitute for understanding what is in the food.

A more expensive product is not automatically higher in meat or nutritional quality, just as a cheaper food is not necessarily unsuitable. Owners should consider the ingredients, nutritional value and whether the food meets their dog’s individual needs and their household budget.

“Pet owners should not assume that a premium price automatically means premium ingredients or a high meat content,” says Maricevic.

“The best starting point is to look at the actual composition of the food rather than making assumptions based on price, packaging or marketing.”

Learn to read the ingredients

Pet owners do not need to become nutritionists to make more informed choices about their dogs’ food.

Understanding some of the commonly used ingredients and what they contribute to a recipe can, however, help owners assess whether a particular food is suitable for their pet.

Owners can look for clearly named animal proteins and recognisable whole-food ingredients, while considering the nutritional contribution of the other ingredients in the recipe.

Vague or generic descriptions such as animal derivatives, plant derivatives, unspecified animal fats, meals and by-products may warrant closer attention. Owners may also want to consider the use of fillers, artificial additives and highly processed ingredients when comparing different foods.

“Transparency matters,” says Maricevic.

“If an owner doesn't understand an ingredient, they should feel comfortable asking questions and finding out exactly what it is and why it is in their dog's food. The more informed the decision, the better equipped owners are to choose a diet that aligns with their dog's needs.”

Nutritional needs change with age and lifestyle

A dog’s nutritional requirements can change throughout its life.

Puppies have different nutritional needs to adult dogs, while older dogs may require particular attention to maintaining muscle mass, mobility and healthy body condition.

Active dogs can also have different energy requirements from less active pets, while weight management may become increasingly important for dogs prone to gaining excess weight.

Individual dogs can also respond differently to certain ingredients. An ingredient that suits one dog may not suit another, particularly where food allergies or intolerances are involved.

For this reason, owners should understand what is in their dog’s food and pay attention to changes in their pet’s health and wellbeing.

What your dog’s health can tell you

Nutrition can sometimes be reflected in things owners notice in everyday life, including stool quality, digestion, energy levels, appetite, skin and coat condition and the ability to maintain a healthy weight.

These signs can have many causes and should not automatically be attributed to diet, but they can provide a useful reason to look more closely at a dog’s overall nutrition and, where necessary, consult a veterinarian.

“Responsible feeding starts with understanding what you are putting in your dog's bowl,” says Maricevic.

“Pet owners deserve to know what they are paying for, what those ingredients contribute and whether the food is providing the nutrition their dog needs. Our dogs rely on us to make those choices for them, so the more informed we are, the better equipped we are to make choices that support their individual health and wellbeing.”

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