A well-balanced diet is the most important thing you can
give your dog in terms of regular health care.
But some people are confused about what a healthy balanced
diet is for a dog, and whether natural dog food is
a healthier way to go, rather than picking up a 40 lb bag
of whatever is on sale at the supermarket.
When choosing a healthy food for your dog, keep the
following in mind:
Dogs need meat.
Dogs are carnivores by nature. Their digestive systems are
designed to consume and digest raw foods. While not everyone
chooses to feed their dog a raw
food diet, meat should still be your pet's primary source
of protein. Grains are not an optimal source of protein for
dogs; a diet heavy in grains and carbohydrates may cause allergies
and weight gain.
Freshness counts.
Just like with people food, dog food that has been heavily
processed loses nutrients and therefore some of it's health
value. Try to look for dog foods that have been minimally
processed; they will be healthier for your pet. Ideally, we
would feed our dogs a raw food diet, either prepared at home
or frozen (and thawed). Raw foods like freshly ground meat
and bones are available from the market or a pet store. The
next best thing would be freeze dried foods because the freeze
drying process helps retain the food's nutrients. Canned dog
foods are more processed, but they tend to have minimal grains
and more meat. Using canned dog food as a supplement to dried
kibble is an option and it gives your dog more variety.
Important Info About Commercial Dog
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Dry dog food, also known as kibble, is the most popular kind
of dog food, and it's also the easiest and most inexpensive
to feed. Some dried foods are pretty decent; others are heavily
processed and low on the nutrition scale. Read the label carefully
to make sure that meat and not grains are the primary source
of protein. Human grade whole meat such a chicken, beef, or
lamb (not meat byproducts or "meal") is the best
choice, and should be listed first on the ingredient label.
Size matters.
Although more economical to purchase than a smaller bag,
a giant bag of food may not be the best idea because the nutrients
in it deteriorate over time once the bag is opened, and it
gets stale. Would you want to eat stale cereal? It's best
to buy a smaller bag and keep the food in the original bag,
tightly sealed to hold in freshness.
Fruits & Veggies
Adding vegetables and fruits to your dog's diet can be beneficial.
My dog loves tomatoes. We give her some chopped fresh tomato
with her regular food every day. She also loves green peppers
and apples. Don't be afraid to give your dog fresh fruits and
veggies; while there are different schools of thought as to
whether they are necessary to the canine diet, they won't hurt.
Variety is the Spice of Life
Yes, even dogs like dogs. How would you like to eat the
same food day in and day out? It's pretty boring, and maybe
not that nutritious, either. While in the past we've been
told to feed our dogs the same thing or it will upset their
digestion, it is okay to give your dog some variety, either
by rotating different dog foods or by mixing different brands
or flavors together.
Whatever diet you choose, you may want to give your dog a
health food supplement, such as essential fatty acids for
a shiny, soft coat, or a vitamin supplement to be sure he
is getting all the nutrients he needs. Dog health foods and
supplements are available at most good pet stores and pet
websites.
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