Research has found that up to 80 percent of dog owners are not feeding their dog the right way or providing them with the right food to meet their nutritional requirements. With so many brands available, and each claiming to offer the best for your canine companion, it’s hard to differentiate between what’s actually good for your dog.

“You are what you eat, as the saying goes, is also true for dogs. The food that you give your dog and the way you feed him directly impacts their health and wellbeing,” Stay Loyal, cofounder Robert Belobrajdic said.

“Firstly, we should start by defining what we mean by ‘wrong food’. It doesn’t just mean low quality versus high quality food. The food you give your dog also needs to be suited to your dog’s needs and age, and to top it off, some dogs have allergies that you will need to factor in.”

Stay Loyal is a leading Australian dog food company that produces a range of premium quality high protein grain-free dog food products trusted by tens of thousands of dog owners across the country.

Don’t feed your dog human food

“The nutritional requirements of dogs are vastly different to that of humans, so you should never offer table scraps to your dog. Most food suited for humans is much too rich and fatty for a dog to digest properly and could lead to vomiting and diarrhea,” Belobrajdic said.

“Human food also tends to contain sodium levels that are much too high for dogs. Some foods are also really unsuitable for dogs, such as chocolate, onions, corn on the cob, avocado, grapes and raisins.

“It’s important to teach children not to feed the family dog any random snacks, even though it’s always with the very best of intentions. Dogs need food that is carefully formulated for their specific needs.”

One meal a day is plenty

“Obesity is one of the leading health issues for dogs. In fact, obesity will reduce a dog’s life by 2.5 years on average,” Belobrajdic said.

“Not only does obesity cause joint and inflammation issues, it also creates other health problems such as heart, liver and kidney issues. The majority of pet owners over-feed their pets. Pets should only be fed once per day in the evening.”

Be careful when travelling and exercising

“Not many people are aware of this, but you should not feed your dog before travelling in the car,” Belodrajdic said.

“Ideally allow a minimum of 24 hours of no food before getting in the car. Dogs can get sick while riding in the car and this often leads to travel anxiety. Puppies are more likely to be affected by motion sickness.

“In addition, don’t feed your dog before any activity. It can lead to stomach cramps and overheating. And if you do find that your dog has diarrhea, it is best to avoid feeding your dog for 24 hours or longer.”

Premium pet food vs cheap brands

“Many dog owners often ask whether it’s ok to feed their dogs cheap canned food from the supermarket because premium brands cost more. The answer is that premium foods use higher quality protein sources like meat, instead of cheaper ingredients like wheat, soy and bone meal,” Belobrajdic added.

“Of course, people would like to give their family pet the best food they can buy, but budget will always be a concern. Premium foods are certainly more expensive up front, however, when fed in correct portions it’s actually less expensive in the long term with less vet bills.”

“More importantly, your dog is healthier and will live longer, and that is what we all want for your dog.”

Nutritional deficiencies in ‘complete and balanced diets’

“Dog owners are often misled into thinking that they’ve purchased a ‘complete diet’ dog food without realising that it may not be delivering the total vitamin and mineral requirements of their specific dog,” Belodrajdic said.

“This happens because pet food nutrient profiles recommend minimum vitamin, mineral, protein and fat amounts. They don't have an OPTIMAL level. We at Stay Loyal feed the food we make to our own dogs, so we want the best levels. That is why we choose to have 32 percent protein and Omega-3 from fish oil even though they are well above the industry norm.

“Several health issues can arise if your dog eats the wrong food, for example, skin issues, obesity and heart disease. Many of these common health issues and others like diabetes can be avoided by giving your dog the right foods.”

Commitment to your dog’s health and happiness

“Stay Loyal was created to improve the health and happiness of dogs all over Australia through enriched nutrition and continued education of Aussie dog owners,” Belobrajdic said.

“We are dedicated to keeping our customers informed and educated, so we have a regularly updated blog on the Stay Loyal website that covers a huge range of dog care topics, including dog nutrition. When you choose Stay Loyal for your family dog, you’ll know that we understand your dog’s needs. As a proudly Australian made product, we’re committed to giving your dog the benefit of a great tasting, nutritionally balanced dog food, so that your dog can lead the best life possible.”

About Stay Loyal

Founded in 2012 by cousins Robert Belobrajdic and David Korac, Stay Loyal is a leading Australian owned and produced dog food company. The dog food has been scientifically formulated with Australia’s leading pet nutritionist to create one of the best grain-free meat-based dry dog food available on the market. Stay Loyal has received a 5 Star Quality Rating from the independent Australian review panel, PetFoodReviews.com.au, and Robert Belobrajdic has written two books and nearly 200 blog posts on the topic of dog care.

Stayloyal.com.au