We all know that good nutrition is as important for our dogs as it is for us, and it's actually fairly easy to ensure that your dog enjoys a healthy diet. In fact, it's much easier for dogs than people simply because they don't really have a say in what they eat unlike humans that can eat whatever they choose even if they shouldn't.
Your dog's veterinarian is an excellent resource if you are seeking information about pet nutrition. The vet is the best place to get suggestions about food options, as well as understanding your pet's healthiest weight and learning the best exercises for your dog. This all differs based on the size of your dog, the age of your dog, their breed and their general level of activity.
These days there are many choices for dog food, but generally most of us simply must choose between dry food and wet food. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages. Wet food provides a source of liquid and dogs often really enjoy the flavor. Dry food lasts longer, both on the shelf and in the dog dish. Both can supply all the nutrition your dog will need, so the real focus should be on how much you feed and the overall quality of the food itself. Consider opting for brands that contain ingredients that you actually have heard of such as chicken, lamb and rice. If the ingredient list is massiv, and you've never heard of most of the ingredients, it's probably not the best choice.
It is important to note that a dog's nutritional needs are much different than that of a person. For instance, humans need carbohydrates, but dogs actually do not need them. Still, look at the dog foods on the pet food shelves and you will see plenty of carbs listed in the ingredients. These carbs typically will not harm your pet, but just like with humans, look for very healthy carbs such as those with whole grains, sweet potatoes, barley and millet. Typically, also look for foods where sources of protein are listed above carb sources on the list of ingredients.
Dog food should be the biggest source of food for your pet along with the occasional healthy dog treat, but there are some foods that you always want to keep from your pet. Avocadoes, for instance, contain persin, a toxin which rarely bothers humans but can be quite harmful for dogs. The leaves and bark of the avocado tree also contain persin, so be watchful that your dog isn't munching on avocado leaves. Chocolate is also dangerous, as is any food item that contains caffeine. Grapes can cause serious kidney problems, as can their dehydrated counterpart, the raisin. Any fruit with a large pit or large seeds is dangerous, and never feed them food containing bones.
If you have a dog that really enjoys sneaking food from their humans or tends to nosh on leaves and bark when outdoors, it's probably time to apply some obedience training to nip the problem in the bud. A well-trained dog will obey boundaries, such as staying out of flower beds or bushes or staying away from spilled food or out of the pantry. If you are unsure how to train, simply purchase a dog training program such as The Dog's Way which will provide owners with the skills to handle any obedience issue.
Your dog's veterinarian is an excellent resource if you are seeking information about pet nutrition. The vet is the best place to get suggestions about food options, as well as understanding your pet's healthiest weight and learning the best exercises for your dog. This all differs based on the size of your dog, the age of your dog, their breed and their general level of activity.
These days there are many choices for dog food, but generally most of us simply must choose between dry food and wet food. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages. Wet food provides a source of liquid and dogs often really enjoy the flavor. Dry food lasts longer, both on the shelf and in the dog dish. Both can supply all the nutrition your dog will need, so the real focus should be on how much you feed and the overall quality of the food itself. Consider opting for brands that contain ingredients that you actually have heard of such as chicken, lamb and rice. If the ingredient list is massiv, and you've never heard of most of the ingredients, it's probably not the best choice.
It is important to note that a dog's nutritional needs are much different than that of a person. For instance, humans need carbohydrates, but dogs actually do not need them. Still, look at the dog foods on the pet food shelves and you will see plenty of carbs listed in the ingredients. These carbs typically will not harm your pet, but just like with humans, look for very healthy carbs such as those with whole grains, sweet potatoes, barley and millet. Typically, also look for foods where sources of protein are listed above carb sources on the list of ingredients.
Dog food should be the biggest source of food for your pet along with the occasional healthy dog treat, but there are some foods that you always want to keep from your pet. Avocadoes, for instance, contain persin, a toxin which rarely bothers humans but can be quite harmful for dogs. The leaves and bark of the avocado tree also contain persin, so be watchful that your dog isn't munching on avocado leaves. Chocolate is also dangerous, as is any food item that contains caffeine. Grapes can cause serious kidney problems, as can their dehydrated counterpart, the raisin. Any fruit with a large pit or large seeds is dangerous, and never feed them food containing bones.
If you have a dog that really enjoys sneaking food from their humans or tends to nosh on leaves and bark when outdoors, it's probably time to apply some obedience training to nip the problem in the bud. A well-trained dog will obey boundaries, such as staying out of flower beds or bushes or staying away from spilled food or out of the pantry. If you are unsure how to train, simply purchase a dog training program such as The Dog's Way which will provide owners with the skills to handle any obedience issue.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan loves watching dog show. For more info about the best DVD dog training videos, or to find dog training video online, please check out the TheDogsWay website now.
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