The nutritional needs of our dogs are just as important as our nutrional needs.Supprisingly however, these needs are often overlooked. Our furry friends benifit from a healthy diet just as we do. The following information contains helpful hints on how to identify and select healthy food for man's best friend.
40%-40%-20% is the magical proportion. a good dog food will be aproximatly 40% meat, 40% vegetable, and 20% complex carbohydrates or grains.The only way to select a dog food to match these pecentages is to check the lable. Here you will also find good information about moisture and other things. The contest listed on the lable should be close to the percentages above, but do not have to match exactly.
There are some easy ways to judge whether the ingerdients you are currently feeding your pet are part of a healthy dog food. Read the ingredients; the first one or two should be a meat protein, and not meat \"by-products.\" You should also look for any \"fillers,\" such as bone meal. These do not provide real nutrition for your pet. The presence of some grains, such as oats, barley, and brown rice is a good sign, as long as they are not the top ingredient.
Organic foods for your dog are a good source of nutrition as well. While most of the ingredients are alike, the ones in organic food have less chemicals that other products contain as a result of dangerous processing methods. Organic dog food manufactures are less inhumane to their livestock as well.
All dogs have special dietary needs. Your veterinarian will be able to provide you with the best information on what blends of protiens, carbs., and fats your Fido needs. They can also let you know if Fido has any special vitimin or mineral needs. Follow your veterinanry's advice on the best food for your dog.
If you deside to switch yor dog's food, you should do so gradually. Making the switch in this way will be better for the dog's digestive system as well as help them to accept the change to the new food. The best way to gradually change you dog's diet is to mix small amounts of the new food in with their regular food, adding a larger portion of the new food every few dayswhile simotaneously shrinking the portion of the old food. Stop increasing the portion of the new food if your dog is not adjusting well. Once he/she has fully adjusted to the new food portions, continue the transition.
If you want to go all the way, you should consider making your own home made dog food. Although this takes more time than buying ready-to-eat food for your dog, it's really not that hard. Making your own can be economical as well. You can search the Internet for recipes and meal plans, and there are also books available that are basically cookbooks for dog food. It is important to remember, though: you should have your veterinarian examine and approve any food or plan before you start feeding it to your pet.
Lastly, don't expect an instant miracle. The effects of good nutrition appear over weeks and months, not days. And a good dog food is not a panacea; if your dog is older or has specific health problems, they may need more time to see results, and may need additional supplements or veterinary care. Still, if you are feeding your dog a healthy diet, you know that he or she is getting the best that you can give them.
