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The Importance of Sodium in Your Dog’s Diet
The Importance of Sodium in Your Dog’s Diet

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The Importance of Sodium in Your Dog’s Diet

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Sodium is an essential mineral for life.

Found in the blood and in the fluid that surrounds cells, sodium maintains the cellular environment and prevents cells from swelling or dehydrating. Sodium is also important for maintaining proper nerve and muscle cell function.

 

What Are the Sources of Sodium in Dog Foods?

Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are good sources of sodium.
 

Sodium also might be included in commercial pet foods in the form of table salt (sometimes listed on the ingredient panel as salt). Salt is an important palatant for animals, as well as for people.

 

How Much Sodium Do Dogs Need?

The Association of American Feed Control Officials recommends that dry dog foods contain at least 0.3% sodium for both maintenance and to support normal growth and development. This is the minimum recommended levels.
 

While high sodium intake might cause increased thirst and water consumption, the extra sodium is excreted in the urine of dogs. Healthy dogs are able to consume diets with higher sodium levels than those found in most commercial pet foods without increased blood pressure or gain in body water.
 

Therefore, the sodium level in commercial pet foods is not a cause for concern in healthy animals.

 

the importance of sodium in your dog s diet

 

When Might Sodium Restriction Be Recommended?

A veterinarian might recommend decreasing a dog's sodium intake if the animal has some types of kidney, liver, or heart disease, in order to help decrease high blood pressure or the accumulation of excessive body fluid.
 

Although older dogs might be more likely to develop these diseases, healthy older dogs do not require a low- or reduced-sodium diet.

 

Nutritional Application

The sodium level in our dog foods is appropriate for a healthy dog. The sodium content in these foods is balanced in proper proportions with energy, other minerals, vitamins, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

  • The Labrador Diet: Are You Feeding Your Lab Retrievers The Right Food?
    The Labrador Diet: Are You Feeding Your Lab Retrievers The Right Food?-mob
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    The Labrador Diet: Are You Feeding Your Lab Retrievers The Right Food?

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    So as a pet parent, how do you make sure your Lab is eating well-rounded meals? One way to do that is to find dog food that is tailored to suit the Labrador diet. The best dog food for Labrador Retrievers will always contain the following elements…

    Animal-based protein

    Labrador food should always include lean and quality proteins from sources like poultry to help strengthen and maintain their muscles.

     

    Vegetables and grains

    Ingredients like beet pulp, corn, wheat, barley and maize are not only packed with nutrients but they also aid digestion. Labrador food that contains digestible ingredients helps when it comes to supporting a healthy gut.

     

    Healthy fats

    Moderate and controlled amounts of fat in addition to Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids are necessary to support a healthy coat as well as healthy skin. These ingredients are important for Labradors to ensure they do not suffer from issues like flaky and itchy skin.

     

    Supplements that support weight management

    Labrador Retrievers are susceptible to obesity. Therefore, an important supplement to look for in Labrador food is L-Carnitine. L-Carnitine is known to help with metabolism and also supports healthy weight management.

     

    Supplements that support healthy joints

    Labradors are fun, playful and active dogs. To facilitate these characteristics, the labrador diet must consist of supplements like Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate that support healthy joints.

    If you’re looking for dog food that is specific to the Labrador diet, IAMS™ Labrador Retriever dog food will not let you down. It is a premium-tailored recipe that contains all the ingredients that support the unique nutritional requirements of a Labrador Retriever. By switching to this dog food, you are ensuring your Lab is at its healthiest and best, always!