Pet Food 101: Every Dog Owner’s Guide in Feeding Your Pooch
Pet food should not be seen as just anything edible that you can feed your pets. In fact, animals have a specific dietary requirements to fulfill their needs. Man’s best friends, our beloved dogs, are often given foods that we eat without knowing that these are detrimental to our pets’ health. Vitamins and minerals are important in a dog’s diet and the development of their physical and mental health.Feeding them right will strengthen their immune system to fight bacteria and parasites, too.
Dogs don’t just need vitamins and minerals, they need the other essential compounds like carbohydrates, protein, fiber and fat.In their regular meal, one-third of a dog’s food must contain protein, which they usually get from whole meat, eggs and fish, because it helps build strong muscles and a healthier coat, nails and skin. They also need fat because this helps distribute vitamins into the dog’s system. Another primary source of energy is carbohydrates, which our dogs get from pet food such as raw meat, fruits and vegetables.
On the other hand, it is also important to know what foods are bad for your dog. Like humans, dogs can fall victim to malnutrition, obesity and health disorders such as cancer, arthritis, bowel disease, bladder and kidney stones, diabetes and skin problems, to name a few. Long time dog owners know, as new dog owners should, that many dishes and snacks in your home should not find its way into your dog’s mouth, namely: chocolate, cooked chicken bones, beans, dairy products, garlic, onions and pork. To personally monitor their pet’s food intake, many owners end up preparing homemade dog food themselves.
Aside from being able to monitor your dog’s food intake, homemade dog food is also beneficial to your budget. While it takes time and effort to learn what to feed them, making your dog’s food is economical and results-oriented as you will see good changes in their health. Just remember not to add preservatives and added spices, especially garlic, and to balance their diet and add variety to it. Feel free to also include cooked good grain in their bowls, like brown rice and whole wheat, to complete their protein meat and vegetable meal. The difference between the generic dog food and the premium dog food is that latter normally uses high quality ingredients - hence, it is also more expensive. It has no added fillers and by-products and, although more expensive than the regular kind, offers variety in shape, color and taste.
However, it is still safer to discuss with your dog’s veterinarian what your dog’s diet should be.
In knowing your dog’s dietary needs and what food they also enjoy eating, one should always consult a veterinarian. This, backed by your own research, will guide you when buying ingredients and food for you dog, as well as when making meals for them. You will learn that every dog requires a specific diet because their needs vary depending on size, breed, age and their activity level. And if you’re just learning how to feed your dog properly, don’t forget to incorporate the healthy food slowly in their diet instead of changing it too fast. They are, after all, similar to humans who doesn’t take drastic diet change with open arms.
Pet food essentials, especially for dogs, include vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fat and many other nutrients to keep your pet healthy and fit. Being irresponsible to your dog’s nutrition needs could make your dog weak and live a short life. To avoid making your dog ill, you can ensure they maintain a proper diet by feeding them reliable premium dog food or homemade dog food prepared to meet their dietary requirements. Most especially, make sure their vet is involved when planning for their diets.
- Melinda Smith
