| Healthy
diet is always an essential factor for the physical as well as mental development
in dogs. Natural diet is always the best diet, but if extra supplementary food
is required then dog food is the best option. There is now a wide variety of dog
foods on the market, but basically most dog food comes in three forms, which are
classified according to the amount of water content.
 Moist
food: This is the traditional canned food method of dog feeding. There are
different types of canned food. Some are a mixture of meat and cereal and can
form a complete balanced diet.
Semi-moist food: These contain about
25-40% moisture and being more palatable are useful for dogs which are finicky
eaters. As they look more like meat chunks, owners often prefer these to dry foods.
Complete dry food: These types of food combine protein and carbohydrate
together. They are becoming very popular as they can be bought in bulk making
them cheaper and are relatively odor free. They are particularly suited to owners
of big dogs or multi-dog households.
Fresh foods: It is important
to train your dog to eat a wide variety of foods from an early age so they don't
become fussy eaters. Although manufactured dog food is designed for a balanced
diet, you can give your pets fresh food as well to add variety to its diet.
Dog biscuits and treats: These are high in fat and carbohydrate and should
not form the main part of your dog's daily diet. They should be kept as treats
and rewards for good behavior.
Bones: Never give cooked bones to your
dog. They can easily crunch them up and it can cause obstructions in the gut,
plus colic and constipation. If you want to give your dog a bone it must be large
and raw - large knucklebones are safe as they won't splinter and can't be swallowed.
Feeding
Tips 
Most dogs should be fed once a day at the same time every day.
Some
dogs, especially the larger breeds, need to be fed more then once a day.
Feed your dog the same type and brand of food every day. Unlike humans, a dog
digestive system cannot handle changes in food. It can cause upset stomach and
diarrhea.
Keep food and water bowls clean. Chocolates and sweets have extremely
high calories and can lead to dental disease and obesity. Chocolate in excess
can be toxic to your pet.
Monitor your dog's weight and activity level, and
make feeding adjustments as necessary. Some dogs can do well on self-feeders.
If your dog is overweight, or if he is going to the bathroom inside the house,
you may want to get him on a feeding schedule.
Keep fresh Drinking water available
at all times. Change the water at least once day, more for dogs that water at
the mouth.
Dog should be fed good quality food in amounts just right to meet
his energy requirements. Inadequate or excess intake of nutrients can be equally
harmful.
|
