Some Food For Thought About Feeding Your Dog

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     Like humans, it's not only crucial for your dog to eat, but also to eat the proper foods. Here are some helpful tips for ensuring that you feed your dog properly:

1. Be cautious about buying commercial food

Should you avoid commercial foods like avoiding poison ivy? You should avoid buying most commercial food, as it tends to contain several ingredients that are unhealthy for your pet pooch. This includes ingredients such as artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and so on. Such ingredients aren't healthy for humans, so they're definitely not healthy for pets. But you can still find some commercial dog foods that are healthier than most are. The main drawback is that they tend to have a fairly steep price tag. So if you don't have the time or energy to make DIY dog food, the next best thing is healthy commercial chow.

2. Use the right ratio when making homemade dog food

Although meat isn't a critical part of a dog's diet (as it is for cats), it's nonetheless an important component. So when making DIY dog food, meat should be comprised of about 40% of the food. Meanwhile, veggies and starches should each make up about 30% of the homemade dog food. Make sure to get this ratio correct, so your dog enjoys a balanced meal.

3. Consult a veterinarian before switching to homemade food

This is a crucial step. The veterinarian might give you special instructions for making the switch, or inform you that you shouldn't make it at all. Regardless, you should still consult an animal doctor to ensure that you're taking the right step.

4. Use dietary supplements sparingly

Many pet owners make the same mistake when feeding their dogs dietary supplements, as they do when taking supplements themselves. By definition, dietary supplements should enhance a balanced diet. But the essence of your dog's vitamins and minerals should be in the dog food. The supplements will simply provide extra nutrients that are difficult to find in foods.

5. Feed your dog twice daily

The actual amount that you feed your dog will depend on various factors, such as the dog's size and activeness. But regardless of how much you feed your dog, you should definitely feed it twice daily. That includes once in the morning and once in the evening. Feeding your dog in the morning will give it the sustenance it needs to get through the day. The night feeding will prevent your dog from needing a midnight snack (when you're enjoying your midnight sleep).

6. Avoid feeding your dog table scraps

That's not to say that table scraps can't be healthy for your dog. However, many human foods contain ingredients that can be unhealthy for dogs. As an alternative, you could make homemade dog food that only includes ingredients that are OK for dogs to consume. Use the table scraps for "reruns" or compost.

Eating right isn't just for humans. These above tips will help to feed your dog the right foods, the right amount of foods, and at the right time. It's food for thought that every thoughtful dog owner should consider!