What is Complete & Balanced Food?
Sara, our Nutritionist often gets asked, “What do I need to look for when choosing a food for my dog?” The first thing she says is that the food should be 100% complete and balanced.
For a dog food to be complete and balanced, it must be made up of all the essential nutrients needed for your dog to live a healthy and happy life. It must also meet the energy requirements of your furry friend, regardless of their age or activity levels.
All our nourishing recipes tick this box as they contain every nutrient required to support each stage of your dog’s development, so you can feed them their favourite recipe continuously.
A LOOK AT NUTRIENTS
Sara talks about nutrients a lot; they are the building blocks of every healthy diet, have a function in body processes and are essential for development. Here’s what every bowlful needs to include to support your dog’s overall health and vitality. However, remember that many factors can influence the nutritional requirements of your four-legged friend. From their life stage, breed and health to activity levels, environment, pregnancy and lactation.
High-Quality protein
Animals and fish sources are highly digestible, high-quality proteins. The function of protein is to help grow and repair tissue, regulate the metabolism and serve as a source of energy.
FAT
Essential fatty acids are another great energy source and transport vitamins, protect vital organs and support brain development. They must be supplied via the diet as dogs can’t make them in sufficient amounts.
Fibre
Fibre aids digestive health and can be found in grains like wholegrain rice. The two types of fibre, soluble and insoluble, help your four-legged friend pass food, preventing constipation, and slow the rate of digestion to give that “fuller for longer” feeling.
Vitamins and Minerals
These are provided by a variety of ingredients, like animal protein sources and vegetables. It is important that vitamins and minerals in complete dog foods are carefully balanced to help maintain optimum health and vitality.
Water
The most important nutritient. Esential for all functions, for example, transporting some vitamins around the body, temperature regultaion and aiding waste removal. Dogs typically require around 60ml per kg of their body weight each day.
A Word About Carbohydrates
Although often present in dog foods, there is no nutritional requirement for carbohydrates(a fast-acting energy source for the brain and muscles) in complete and balanced dog foods. Instead, fat and protein can provide energy to your four-legged friend. Carbohydrates are necessary for pregnant and lactating dogs, though.
A 100% COMPLETE & BALANCED MEAL EVERYTIME
All of our nourishing dog food recipes are 100% complete and balanced, giving your loyal friend everything they need. But to maintain their health and vitality, it’s important to ensure the recipe you choose for your dog is right for the individual stage of their development.
That’s why Butcher’s offers a nutritionally balanced food for every dog, from puppy and adult to those with a sensitive stomach or watching their weight.
Not only do we promise that our nutritious meals are 100% complete and balanced, but we also promise that they’re made with natural ingredients and meat and fish from British and Irish farms. They’re all in recyclable packaging too.
