What Your Dog Needs - Part 3

There are so many different dog foods available that it is very hard to decide which is best for your dog or puppy. Some people say one brand is best, while others claim home made dog food is the only way to ensure your dog gets the best quality. There is also the raw food diet, which seems to really help dogs with constipation, as well as other problems.

Then what about vitamins, minerals and supplements? If you choose regular dog food, should you get dry or canned? The questions are almost endless.

Basically, start your dog on a high quality dog food (dry or canned, or home made) and watch to see how your dog does. A good indication is the health of your dog; how clear his eyes are, how shiny his coat is and how much energy he has.

A dog’s diet should include a combination of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats and proteins. If it does, then your dog’s needs for growth, tissue repair and exercise will be met.
To ensure your dog gets good nutrition, here are some tips to follow:

1. Ensure your dog always has fresh, clean water.

2. Avoid feeding your dog scraps from the dinner table. This can cause your dog to gain too much weight.

3. Buy dog food that states it has a balanced combination of nutrients. These nutrients should be processed in a way that the dog will be able to absorb them into his body.

4. Do not feed your dog excess amounts of fat and carbohydrates.

5. If your dog has a skin problem, it may be wise to include foods with fatty acids such as Omega 3 and Omega 6.

6. Make sure your puppy’s dietary needs are met. Introduce them to ‘solid’ food as they are being weaned. Any new foods should be brought in gradually so as not to upset the young stomach. Special puppy canned and dry food is available.

7. Dry dog food, of a good quality, is often considered the best food for dogs. Fresh meat alone will not provide your dog with adequate nutrition. Meat scraps and leftover vegetables can be added to dry food for variation in texture.

8. Do not feed your dog only soft food, as this will lead to plaque build up on his teeth. Make sure your dog gets raw bones and hard dog biscuits included in his diet.

9. Puppies will need to be fed a few times a day until six months old, then twice a day until they are twelve months old. After that, you only need to feed your dog once a day.

10. Do not over-feed your dog. If he is gaining weight, you will need to reduce the amount of food you are feeding him.

In terms of nutrition, dogs have different needs at different stages of their lives. Also, needs vary between different dog breeds. Be aware of these differences and feed your dog accordingly.

Tags: Dog Diet