Just like people, dogs have different needs regarding their food when they are active. Expending large amounts of energy requires calories, and dogs have different nutritional needs from people that need to be considered when adding these calories. The right complete working dog food is one that your dog thrives on, and which will keep him or her healthy for a good long time.
Dogs are carnivorous scavengers, or omnivores, depending on whom you talk to. This basically means that they can survive and in some cases thrive on meat-free diets, but that they were built to eat a mix of meat and other products. They need more protein in their diets than humans do, and while they don't necessarily need more fat than people do, they don't tend to have the same problems as humans on higher-fat diets tend to.
Getting professional assistance from a veterinarian is a good idea if you are concerned about your dog's diet. He or she can help you meet all of your dog's needs, and do it in a way that works for you. Recommendations for the care and feeding of active dogs are great places to start, but your vet can help you customize them.
Kibble is what most dogs these days eat. Aside from the question of whether this is a good idea or not, there is a concern that a very active dog eating kibble might not be getting enough nutrients. Most commercial dog foods are produced with the intention of feeding the mild to moderately active family pet, not the sheep-herding dog that runs four or five hours a day.
Some working dogs do fine on kibble, however. Just make sure to choose a very high-quality brand that is energy dense. Lower quality products often contain lots of filler, which can result in your dog getting full before they take in enough calories. The combination of a higher quality brand and larger portions is enough for some active dogs.
If you want to supplement the kibble, either for interest or for additional calories, you can add meat, fat trimmings or dripping, dairy products, or even eggs if your dog's digestive tract can handle them. Fats do not cause dogs as many problems as people, and thus can be used as a good high-calorie, low-volume source of additional energy.
Balance is important in all things, but especially in nutrition. Ready-made foods are balanced already, so it's important to avoid adding more than about 15% from other sources, as this can upset the balance. If you are interested in making your dog homemade full or partial meals, be prepared to do some research and learn what is important in canine nutrition. Also be sure to ask your vet for help.
Let your dog's condition be your guide. A good complete working dog food is one that maintains the proper weight, keeps his or her fur looking nice and shiny without excess oils or dandruff, does not leave bad breath or excessive amounts of stool, and otherwise maintains general health. Ask your vet if you have any questions.
Dogs are carnivorous scavengers, or omnivores, depending on whom you talk to. This basically means that they can survive and in some cases thrive on meat-free diets, but that they were built to eat a mix of meat and other products. They need more protein in their diets than humans do, and while they don't necessarily need more fat than people do, they don't tend to have the same problems as humans on higher-fat diets tend to.
Getting professional assistance from a veterinarian is a good idea if you are concerned about your dog's diet. He or she can help you meet all of your dog's needs, and do it in a way that works for you. Recommendations for the care and feeding of active dogs are great places to start, but your vet can help you customize them.
Kibble is what most dogs these days eat. Aside from the question of whether this is a good idea or not, there is a concern that a very active dog eating kibble might not be getting enough nutrients. Most commercial dog foods are produced with the intention of feeding the mild to moderately active family pet, not the sheep-herding dog that runs four or five hours a day.
Some working dogs do fine on kibble, however. Just make sure to choose a very high-quality brand that is energy dense. Lower quality products often contain lots of filler, which can result in your dog getting full before they take in enough calories. The combination of a higher quality brand and larger portions is enough for some active dogs.
If you want to supplement the kibble, either for interest or for additional calories, you can add meat, fat trimmings or dripping, dairy products, or even eggs if your dog's digestive tract can handle them. Fats do not cause dogs as many problems as people, and thus can be used as a good high-calorie, low-volume source of additional energy.
Balance is important in all things, but especially in nutrition. Ready-made foods are balanced already, so it's important to avoid adding more than about 15% from other sources, as this can upset the balance. If you are interested in making your dog homemade full or partial meals, be prepared to do some research and learn what is important in canine nutrition. Also be sure to ask your vet for help.
Let your dog's condition be your guide. A good complete working dog food is one that maintains the proper weight, keeps his or her fur looking nice and shiny without excess oils or dandruff, does not leave bad breath or excessive amounts of stool, and otherwise maintains general health. Ask your vet if you have any questions.
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When choosing the complete dog food it is very important to make sure you choose the best brand. We believe you should read this information on working dog food best now.
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