Nextrition: 5 Simple Tips for Quickly Improving Your Dog's Nutrition

Nextrition: 5 Simple Tips for Quickly Improving Your Dog’s Nutrition : When it comes to the overall health and well-being of our furry friends, proper nutrition plays a crucial role. One of the biggest responsibilities of a pet owner is to prioritize the nutritional needs of their dog.

While it may be true that dogs will eat virtually anything, it’s your job to ensure that your pup is maintaining the right diet to keep them healthy, happy, and active. But with so many dog foods available, choosing the best option can get very complicated, very quickly.

Fortunately, Jim Reimann, founder and president of Nextrition, has cracked the code on providing premium dog food that improves your dog’s digestion, immune system, and overall gut health.

Years before launching Nextrition, Reimann discovered the ugly truth behind most dog food from working in the kibble industry. Due to exposure to high heat and steam, the kibble manufacturing process burns off natural nutrients and flavors found in the raw ingredients.

In a recent interview, Reimann explains how he was motivated to take matters into his own hands: “Surely, there had to be a better solution, right? I knew that the better-than-kibble options that existed on the market were either too expensive, too inconvenient for daily feeding, or were not recommended by most veterinarians.”

But Reimann refused to accept defeat.

“I looked for innovative options around the world and that led me to discover the cold-pressed method, which uses low temperatures to gently press real meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables at lower temperatures. The result is a more flavorful, nutrient-rich dry dog food that also offers superior digestive benefits.”

It took 2 years to bring his vision to life in part because he needed to create his own manufacturing facility, once everything was in place Reimann launched his dog food company, Nextrition. Not everyone is ready and able to switch to cold-pressed dog food but there are other quick and easy steps you can take now to ensure your dog is getting a balanced, nutrient-rich diet.

Using Nextrition’s expert guidance, we present you with five simple, yet effective tips to start improving your dog’s diet and boosting its overall health.

1. Read and Understand the Ingredients

“It may seem like an obvious tip, but too many pet owners are fooled by marketing claims and images on the packaging,” says Reimann. “The best way to ensure you’re prioritizing your dog’s nutrition is by taking the time to read and understand the ingredients list on the dog food packaging.”

Ingredients on pet food labels are listed in descending order by weight, so be sure to read the top 10 ingredients as they will usually constitute the majority of the recipe — look for whole ingredients that you recognize. Foods that you would consider healthy for you are usually also healthy for your dog. You should also look for the AAFCO statement that indicates that the recipe meets the nutritional standard for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or all-life stage) and if it is a complete & balanced diet or a supplemental diet.

Look for a brand and recipe that uses real, protein-specific meat as the number 1 ingredient, such as chicken, beef, or salmon. Avoiding options that contain excessive fillers (such as corn, wheat, or soy), by-products, or artificial additives. These are usually a sign of low-quality dog foods.

2. Incorporate Fresh Foods

“While packaged dog food certainly has its benefits, fresh foods provide a wide variety of natural nutrients that may not be present in commercial dog foods alone,” explains Reimann.

“Dog-friendly fruits and vegetables — such as carrots, spinach, green beans, and blueberries,— offer essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support your dog’s immune system, improve digestion, and promote optimal organ function.”

With that in mind, supplementing your dog’s diet with a rotation of fresh, whole foods can be an easy way to make mealtime more enjoyable and effective, as long as they continue to eat their full meal which will still provide the full range of necessary nutrients. Additional fruits and veggies like seedless watermelon and cucumbers can also contribute to your dog’s overall hydration and assist in maintaining proper kidney function. Especially if your dog doesn’t like drinking sufficient amounts of water, supplementing their diet with foods that have a high-water content can ensure they’re staying hydrated.

However, keep in mind that not all foods are safe for dogs, and you should always research fresh foods before introducing them into your dog’s diet. It’s wise to consider your dog’s specific dietary needs, as well as any food allergies or sensitivities they may have.

3. Avoid Overfeeding

Though perhaps the simplest tip, avoiding overfeeding can make a massive difference in your dog’s diet. Most dogs don’t know when to stop eating and so by measuring out the proper quantity of dog food at each feeding time, you’ll ensure that your dog gets proper nutrition and calories without leading to excessive food consumption.

When determining how much food to measure out, check the manufacturer’s label first, as most dog food brands will have serving recommendations on the package. You can also take into account your dog’s age, weight, and activity level to determine the proper proportion levels. Then, using a measuring cup of some kind, you can ensure consistency every time you feed your dog.

There are some indicators that you could be overfeeding, gaining weight being the most obvious but another clue could be the quality of stool. If their stool has become more loose it could be a sign that they are overeating.

4. Follow the 10% Rule for Treats

As a general rule of thumb, ensuring that no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake comes from treats, snacks, chews, or other goodies will help maintain your dog’s nutritional health.

The purpose of treats is to act as a tool for training and reinforcing positive behavior in dogs. Limiting your dog’s treat intake not only maintains the effectiveness of treats as rewards and incentives but also ensures that your dog isn’t overeating or missing critical nutrition by overindulging in treats.

5. Consult With a Veterinarian

While these tips and tricks are simple enough to generate quick improvements, remember that any dietary changes should be implemented gradually to allow your dog’s digestive system to adjust. Monitoring your dog’s health, energy levels, and coat condition is also important to assess the effectiveness of any nutrition changes you make.

If you’re looking to make bigger changes to your dog’s nutritional health, it’s wise to consult with a veterinarian, as they possess specialized knowledge and expertise in animal health and nutrition to make accurate recommendations based on their age, breed, health condition, and individual requirements.