A dog's entire well being, health, happiness, and life span are all largely dependent upon their diet and what they eat on a daily basis. Our dogs, just like every other kind of living creatures, have their own set of nutritional needs, many of which may actually vary from dog to dog. Things like allergies, breed, overall size, and inherited conditions, just to name a few, are all variables that may dictate necessary changes to a dog's diet.

Since our dogs can't actually come right out and tell us if they are getting the right balance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and nutrients in their diet, it's up to us as responsible pet owners to watch for some of the telltale signs of poor nutrition, especially because similar to people, dogs are individuals with unique needs and what works well for one may not for another.

Some of the most noticeable signs that all is not well with a dog's nutritional intake include things like a dull coat, constantly shedding regardless of the time of year, refusal or reluctance to eat the food, a lack of energy, foul smelling breath, dirty, discolored teeth, and excessive gas. Some dogs also become prone to both skin and ear infections as well as fleas, ticks, and heartworms, which could prove to be fatal.

Of course it's true that all dogs could have any one of these symptoms from time to time, but when one or more are occurring on a regular basis, it's definitely time to get to the real root of the problem, which inevitably lies with their nutrition and diet.

It's certainly no secret that dogs are carnivores and not vegetarians, and carnivores need meat to thrive and be at their healthiest. Simply take a look at your dog's teeth and you'll see how they're specifically designed for both ripping and tearing into meat. The bottom surface of most of our teeth are flat, which are ideal for chewing and grinding grains, but a dog's aren't because their digestive process actually begins within the stomach, rather than in the mouth as is the case with us humans.

Naturally just like ours, a dog's body is comprised of trillions of individual cells, and each and every one of these cells must have just the right combination of elements to function properly. Dog cells must have proteins, or more specifically, up to 12 different amino acids, which are essentially the entire building blocks of protein. And without adequate protein, a bevy of health related problems are sure to ensue.

For a dog's cells to live and thrive they must also have fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and last, but certainly not least, fresh water. Each of these components must be consumed in the correct proportion in order to bring about the chemical reactions responsible for proper digestion, absorption of nutrients, and of course, the elimination of waste.

All of these nutrients are used to create energy that a dog needs to live a good life including everything from being able to regulate their body temperature, to walking, playing and running and basically growing into adulthood as healthy as possible.

When it comes to dogs, it's not always so much the amount of protein but rather the actual source of that protein that matters the most.

Commercially made dog food generally consists of a combination of proteins from both plant and animal sources such as wheat, corn, rice, beef, chicken, and lamb. Luckily, it's not hard to decipher the origins of that protein in commercial dog food where by law, ingredients must be listed in order of their percentage, meaning the first thing listed will be the highest concentration of protein within the food.

Amino acids, which we already know to be the main components of proteins, are at least partially destroyed when they are heated, much like vitamins and minerals, and unfortunately all types of dog foods, both the canned and dry varieties, are heated at some point during the commercial manufacturing process.

Proteins aren't the only essential for your dog's diet as some carbohydrates are also needed for things like energy and digestion. Basically for dogs, a combination of elements that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates should serve as the ideal diet.

One thing to consider when it comes to choosing food for your dog is their stage of life. It's essential to select food that is intended for your dog's age as a puppy that's eating adult food will not get the nutrients he needs to grow and develop properly, and alternately, an adult dog eating puppy food will more than likely become overweight. Also, older animals may have trouble with digestion so they may need a blend that's specifically intended for senior dogs.

If you must switch your dog's food, it's best to do so gradually over the course of at least seven to ten days as a sudden change can lead to a number of problems that may have lasting negative effects. Your own veterinarian, who best knows your dog's individual history and specifics, can make recommendations and offer advice as to the best formulation to follow.

The importance of clean water for your dog should also not be underestimated as all pets should have access to fresh water at all times. Experts usually will recommend using a stainless steel bowl for sanitary purposes as they're easier to keep clean and free of germs than plastics.

Yet another extremely important factor in regards to a dog's nutrition is obesity, which can prove to be rather serious leading to a host of other health problems and contributing toward a shorter life. An overweight dog will also have bone and joint problems, causing discomfort and pain.

As it is, our dog's life spans are so short in comparison to our own so it only makes perfect sense to actively try to lengthen the amount of time we have to enjoy and love our beloved pets.