Old English Sheepdog (Detailed Introduction)

　　The nutrition required by the Old English Sheepdog includes the following two main categories:  

　　First category: Nutrients similar to those found in the food obtained by its ancestors. The Old English Sheepdog lived on farms in southwest England and was usually fed mutton and beef, potatoes, as well as cereal mixtures such as corn, oats, and wheat. The nutrients in these foods are more suitable for the digestion and glandular absorption functions of the Old English Sheepdog.      

　　Second category: Properly balanced proteins, carbohydrates, sugars, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The mineral requirements are based on those substances consumed in its ancient living environment and are genetically inherited from its ancestors.      

　　If the keepers of the Old English Sheepdog can appropriately balance the nutrition when feeding, it will help the pet's development and health. On the contrary, improper feeding will cause many diseases in the dog, such as dry skin, itchy skin or skin peeling, hair loss, erythema, eczema, and other skin diseases. There may also be lesions in the thyroid, liver, kidneys, etc. By feeding correctly and reasonably matching the nutrition required by the Old English Sheepdog, the above lesions caused by nutritional imbalance can be avoided.  

　　Regarding some trace elements and mineral requirements, the intake should be appropriate rather than the traditional concept of more is better. Excessive trace elements or minerals can cause certain damage or even lesions to the pet's organs. For example: Calcium, in other dog breeds, if taken in excess and not fully absorbed or excreted, will accumulate in the kidneys, causing kidney stones. However, for the Old English Sheepdog, kidney stones serve as a good calcium source. This shows that due to its large body size and sturdy limbs, the relative demand for calcium is also very large.  

　　Due to the involvement of patents from foreign authors, only the nutritional factors and sources are listed here; specific proportions for matching are not provided, so this is for reference only.  

     Vitamins --------------- Sources  

     Vitamin A ----------------- Salts or esters of retinoic acid  

     Vitamin B-1 ----------------- Thiamine and yeast  

     Vitamin B-2 ----------------- Riboflavin and yeast  

     Vitamin B-6 ----------------- Vitamin B6 and yeast  

     Vitamin B-12 ----------------- Cyanocobalamin and yeast  

     Vitamin D ----------------- Active sterols  

     Vitamin E ----------------- Hydrochloride salts  

     Vitamin H  

     Folic acid  

     Calcium  

     Amino acids  

     Minerals ----------------- Sources  

     Calcium ----------------- Bones  

     Copper ----------------- Gluconate hydrochloride salts or esters  

     Iron ----------------- Seaweed  

     Ferrous -----------------  

     Magnesium ----------------- Gluconate hydrochloride salts or esters  

     Manganese ----------------- Gluconate hydrochloride salts or esters  

     Phosphorus ----------------- Bones  

     Potassium ----------------- Gluconate hydrochloride salts or esters  

     Zinc ----------------- Gluconate hydrochloride salts or esters