How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Afghan Hounds
The elegant Afghan Hound is believed to be one of the world’s oldest dog breeds. A dog that was utilized in large game hunting in Afghanistan, the Afghan Hound’s graceful, flowing tresses served an important function: providing warmth when temperatures began to dip.
The Afghan Hound is able to run at impressive speeds, easily traversing long distances with a natural grace and athleticism. Among the animals this breed was known to hunt are leopards, a testament to the Afghan Hound’s immense bravery.
An independent thinker, the Afghan Hound is a problem solver. Though loving and affectionate with its family as a pup, the adult Afghan is more standoffish, preferring time spent on its own and refusing close contact with people. This dog breed will seek out affection when it is desired, but otherwise prefers its own company and a hands-free approach.
A breed with a comical streak, the Afghan Hound is immensely amusing. Full of mischief, the breed is a renowned thief with the ability to open stubborn drawers in search of treasure, much to the chagrin of its owners. A sighthound, the Afghan Hound has impressive vision that encompasses great distances. Its limber hip joints ensure the breed can traverse mileage efficiently including jumping over any barriers in its way.
The Afghan Hound has exceptionally high grooming requirements. For owners not prepared to spend vast amounts of time combing out coat, the Afghan may not be the ideal choice for a family pet.
Afghan Hounds are exceptionally prey driven, and thus, require a securely fenced yard in which to play. The breed has high activity requirements, needing vigorous daily exercise to remain physically and mentally content. Because of its immense energy reserves and busy lifestyle, the Afghan Hound is not prone to becoming overweight.
Because of its independent nature, the Afghan Hound is not always a fan of training opportunities. A sensitive dog, positive reinforcement techniques are the best means to encourage this dog to learn new skills.
Though most typically a dog that enjoys excellent health, the Afghan Hound can be predisposed to a number of health conditions. Among the problems that can befall the Afghan Hound are hip and elbow dysplasia, thyroiditis, juvenile cataracts, laryngeal paralysis, and more. To promote optimal health and wellness in the Afghan Hound, it is best to select a diet that includes supplements to promote eye and joint health.
The best dog foods for Afghan Hounds are comprised of a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Afghan Hounds
The graceful, elegant Afghan Hound is a highly athletic dog with energy to spare. To help fuel the energy reserves of this busy breed, a diet that is rich in high quality, easily digestible proteins based on a lean meat are required.
Trying to determine how much of a food to feed an Afghan Hound can be a challenging task, involving some trial and error to arrive at the right conclusion. The best dog foods for Afghan Hounds make the job a little easier by providing suggested serving sizes based on age and weight. These suggestions are an ideal starting point with owners able to make adjustments as needed until the correct amount for each meal is found.
Afghan Hounds should not be free fed. Though not a breed that is likely to become overweight, maintaining a healthy body condition is an important part of keeping the Afghan Hound well. All food should be measured and all intake monitored, including meals, snacks, and treats.
Dietary Requirements for Afghan Hound Dog Foods
The Afghan Hound is a true meat lover and requires a diet that makes a lean, meat-based protein its foundation to thrive. The best dog foods for Afghan Hounds include a whole meat as their primary ingredient. However, meat meals also offer a powerhouse punch of the amino acids this breed requires to attain a strong and healthy body.
By-products are taken from cuts of an animal that are less desirable for human consumption. They can be more difficult for dogs to digest. In addition to this, plant proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat have been linked to food allergies in many dogs. These ingredients are all best avoided in a diet for the Afghan Hound.
Many commercially prepared dog foods now include chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives in their recipe. These ingredients are added to improve a food’s appearance, taste, or shelf life and offer no nutritional benefits to the Afghan Hound.
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains make an excellent basis for a high quality carbohydrate profile for the Afghan Hound. From these ingredients, the Afghan Hound gains the necessary nutrients to enjoy good digestion and a healthy immune system. Of primary importance in any carbohydrate included in a diet for this active dog is its abundance of antioxidants and dietary fiber.
Healthy fats are an important part of the Afghan’s diet, assisting with coat and skin health. Chicken fat and oily fish are the best foods from which to obtain these vital nutrients. However, some plant-based oils such as canola, safflower, sunflower, and coconut are also excellent sources of the needed essential fatty acids.
All foods benefit from the addition of beneficial supplements to help the Afghan Hound attain optimal health and wellness. The ideal supplements for the Afghan Hound are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Afghan Hounds
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for an Afghan Hound:
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Lean, meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
The Afghan Hound is a carnivore and does best on a diet that includes a lean, meat-based protein as its foundation. Whole meats or meat meals are the preferred option. By-products and the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat are best avoided.
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Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Chemicals, fillers, artificial flavorings and colorings, and mystery ingredients provide no nutritional benefit to an Afghan Hound. Diets which contain any of these items are best left on the shelf.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
The most beneficial supplements for the Afghan Hound include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Afghan Hound should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.