Preparing a Nutritious Diet That Will Benefit Your Dog
Your precious fur baby deserves the best care. That’s why proper nutrition is essential for dogs because it keeps them fit and healthy. However, there is no specific formula for how often or what you should feed your dog. That’s because each dog is unique. Dogs’ nutritional needs vary depending on breed, size, age, and health.
Inquire with your veterinarian about the best choice of dog food. However, you can follow a few fundamental recommendations when filling your dog’s bowl.
Examining Commercial Dog Food
Commercial dog food is designed to suit all of a dog’s nutritional needs, despite its appearance. Meat, cereals, vegetables, fruit, and vitamins are all present in most items. That’s why commercial pet diets are safe and healthy.
Choose a food that is appropriate for your dog’s life stage: puppy, pregnant or nursing, or adult. Foods for all phases of development are also available.
Look for a declaration from the Association of American Feed Control Officials indicating the food is “complete and balanced” on the package. Complete signifies that the food has all the nutrients that dogs at that age require, and balance means that the nutrients are in the proper proportions.
Both wet and dry food has advantages and disadvantages, but most vets believe it’s a toss-up because both are healthy.
Inspecting the List of Ingredients
Preservatives, artificial colors, and stabilizers in pet food must be FDA-approved or widely regarded as safe. They cover everything from high fructose corn syrup to benzoyl peroxide, which is used to bleach flour and cheese.
Manufacturers are required to declare the preservatives they use, although preservatives in products such as fish meal or poultry processed elsewhere are not routinely listed.
BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin are synthetic preservatives that some pet owners dislike. These preservatives prevent lipids from going rancid and can last up to a year in dry dog food, but their safety has been questioned by some customers and experts.
However, the FDA claims that they are safe at the levels used in dog food.
Natural preservatives like vitamin E, vitamin C, and extracts of other plants, such as rosemary, have replaced ethoxyquin, BHA, and BHT in some products. They keep food fresh as well, albeit for a shorter time.
Before purchasing or feeding a meal to your dog, make sure to check the “best by” date on the label.
Being Careful with Human Food Scraps
Although you can offer your dog some things from your plate, you must use caution. Chocolate, fatty foods, chicken bones, moldy foods, salty snacks, and raw meat are all bad for pets. You must also avoid foods such as grapes, raisins, and onions.
If you do give your dog treats from the table, keep track of how much you’re giving them. Extras should only account for around 10% of their daily diet.
Preparing Your Dog’s Meal Schedule
Puppies under the age of six months must be fed three to four times daily. They can eat twice a day at six months. Dogs can eat one or two meals each day as adults, depending on how much exercise they get. The greatest way to figure out what’s best for your dog is still by consulting your veterinarian.
The same may be said regarding the amount of food you put in their bowls. Start by following the serving size requirements on your dog’s food package. Your veterinarian can also recommend the appropriate dosage based on their age, breed, and level of activity.
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Conclusion
Overfeeding is a common mistake pet owners usually make when it comes to feeding their dogs. To keep your pets at a healthy weight, it’s important to feed them the proper amount and types of food.
If you’re looking for a local pet store that offers healthy food for your dog, check out Earthwise Pet Bentonville! We have certified pet dietitians and pet nutrition specialists and offer pet grooming, pet supplies, and many more. Check out our services now!