When it comes to feeding your dog, there are some decisions you need to make. Proper nutrition is one of your dog's basic needs, and it's about more than just the brand of dog food. Check out the answers to some basic questions many dog owners have about feeding.
Because there are so many commercial dog food brands available, choosing a dog food can be quite overwhelming. All commercial diets with the AAFCO label are considered "complete and balanced" for dogs. This means that the diet sustains life and meets a dog's basic nutritional needs for the designated life stage. However, not all dog foods are created equal. The quality of ingredients contributes to your dog's health and well-being.
When you are choosing the type of food to feed your dog, first narrow down your priorities:
Then, consider your dog:
Choosing commercial diets: To determine which food is best for your dog, talk to your veterinarian first. Ask for input from dog professionals and even other dog owners. When in doubt, ask your vet for a referral to a veterinary nutritionist. Remember that opinions on canine nutrition tend to vary greatly.
Choosing home-prepared diets: Rather than choosing a commercial diet, some owners opt to go for homemade diets. If you try this option, make sure you work with your veterinarian to create a complete and balanced diet that is customized for your dog's needs. To begin developing a home-prepared diet for your dog, check out BalanceIt.com and/or PetDiets.com. Failure to feed a complete and balanced diet can lead to major health problems for your dog.
The amount of food to feed your dog depends on a few factors:
A dog food calculator can tell you approximately how many calories per day your dog needs. Talk to your vet about your dog's body condition and ideal weight.
Most experts agree that twice-daily feeding is best for most adult dogs. Once-a-day is a long time for a dog to go between meals. Puppies should be fed three to six times per day (small puppies need food more often to prevent low blood sugar). Talk to your vet about an appropriate feeding schedule for your dog.
Experts recommend avoiding plastic bowls for a dog's food and water. This is because your dog can develop an allergic reaction or sensitivity, resulting in a rash or type of acne on the chin and face. Not only is the plastic a potential irritant, but the bowl may harbor bacteria or other microbes that affect your dog. Plastic bowls are harder to keep clean because of microscopic nooks and crannies where germs can live. It's best to use metal or ceramic bowls for dog food and water.
There are plenty of options for yummy dog treats and dog chews. Make sure to choose safe options for your dog. Also, remember that treats and chews add calories to your dog's diet and should never make up more than about 10 percent of your dog's daily caloric intake.
Most dogs love food and will eat just about anything they can find. Avoid the following harmful or even toxic foods for dogs:
While people food should generally be avoided, there are some that you can safely feed as treats or with meals to make dog food more palatable. Unseasoned, boneless, lean meats and certain plain fruits and vegetables are healthy for dogs. Opt for whole, unprocessed foods low in fat, salt, and sugar. Feed small portions as treats, remembering the rule about treats making up no more than 10 percent of your dog's daily intake. Here are some healthy options for dogs:
Agility is a competitive sport for dogs. Popular among owners of high-energy breeds, agility training can challenge a dog's body and mind at the same
Separation anxiety in dogs is the distress some dogs feel when they are left alone without their human or other animal companion. It can be a complica
Littermate syndrome is a term sometimes used to describe sibling rivalry or extreme attachment between dogs. There's a longstanding theory that wh
Giardia is a type of protozoan, which is a one-celled organism. There are several species of Giardia, but the type that commonly infects dogs, humans,
Bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a serious medical condition that occurs when a dog's stomach expands and rotates, trapping
The Cockalier is a small to medium hybrid dog breed developed in the United States by breeding a cocker spaniel (American or English) and a Cavalier K
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a medium-sized herding dog breed from Wales with signature short legs, a water-resistant double coat, pointed ears, and a
Also known as the Korthals Griffon, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a medium-sized Dutch dog breed in the sporting group with wiry fur and signatur
We are a comprehensive and trusted information platform dedicated to delivering high-quality content across a wide range of topics, including society, technology, business, health, culture, and entertainment.
From breaking news to in-depth reports, we adhere to the principles of accuracy and diverse perspectives, helping readers find clarity and reliability in today’s fast-paced information landscape.
Our goal is to be a dependable source of knowledge for every reader—making information not only accessible but truly trustworthy. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our content and services, connecting the world and delivering value.
