What Is a Balanced Diet?
For sparkling good health, every Lab needs an appropriate mix of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. A balanced diet contains all the nutrients that dogs are known to need. Nutritional requirements are usually determined as the amount of a given nutrient a dog needs to support growth or to fulfill a needed function.
When dogs don't get enough of a particular essential nutrient, they can develop problems related to that nutrient's functions. For instance, the body uses protein to synthesize new protein, as well as for energy. If the amount of fat and carbohydrate in a diet are not balanced to the amount of protein, then the protein ends up being used for energy instead of for synthesis of new protein. The result is protein malnutrition.
The statement that a diet is complete and balanced has meaning on two levels. Complete means that a food contains all the nutrients that dogs are known to need. Balanced means that a food contains those nutrients in appropriate proportions to one another and also that those nutrients are balanced to the energy level of the diet. For instance, a diet formulated for older dogs is balanced to provide a lower energy level than one formulated for puppies.
Is there a balanced diet that's right for every dog?
No, there is no set balanced diet that's right for every dog. Dogs are individuals, and while a majority of them might do quite well on a given diet, there will always be a few that have special needs. A dog's dietary needs can also be affected by stress, environment, and other factors.
To determine whether a particular food is complete and balanced, look on the label. Manufacturers must state whether their foods meet the nutrient profiles set by a group called the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Growth diets (puppy food) and maintenance diets (adult food) have different nutrient profiles. Some foods are labeled for “all life stages,” but for a puppy, a food labeled for growth is a better choice.
Beyond that, look to see whether the food is formulated to meet AAFCO standards or whether the manufacturer conducted feeding trials to see if dogs actually thrive on the diet. Look for a nutritional adequacy statement that says something like “This food is complete and balanced for maintenance [or for growth] based on AAFCO feeding trials.” When in doubt, go with a food that's backed by feeding tests.
