Selecting a Proper Diet for Your Dog
Selecting the best diet for your dog is similar to selecting the best diet for yourself. Depending on size, weight, allergies, and activity level, each person’s nutritional needs are unique. Likewise, every dog is different, and your pup’s diet should be well balanced for her lifestyle and personality.
In efforts to increase the nutritional content, many owners are preparing homemade meals for their pups, while others find themselves purchasing premium foods. This of course is in stark contrast to those who simply feed their dog whatever’s on sale at the grocery store (or whatever scraps fall off the dinner plate and onto the floor). A major problem with the grocery store option is that commercial dog foods have no formal guidelines concerning ingredients. Okay, so that’s not exactly true. Guidelines state the product must contain: vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, and carbohydrates. But then again, I could probably find each of those ingredients in the kitchen garbage right now…not much of a standard, huh?
Begin with the Labels
The only way to determine the quality of your dog’s food is by reading the label, and even then, it seems that you need a biology degree to understand the ingredients. And with ongoing dog food recalls, many owners refuse to trust any manufacturers and ultimately believe homemade food is the best answer. But of course, “best” does not always equal “practical”. It takes time, preparation, and dedication to ensure the homemade meals are fresh, properly prepared, and nutritionally balanced. Regardless of your decision, you must know what your dog is eating.
The Banned List
Some foods should never be fed to your dog. Dietary experts now believe dairy products, chocolate, grapes, and sugary foods can be harmful, if not fatal to your pooch. And although chicken, fish, lamb, and turkey are typical ingredients in dog food, the jury is still out on the safety of pork in a dog’s diet.
Price as a Consideration
You may think premium dog food is too expensive, but I encourage you put it into perspective. If you feed your pup a healthier food, you usually have to give her less per feeding. This is because premium food is denser and packs a bigger nutritional punch per serving. Also, think about the potential long-term effects of substandard health for your pooch and the associated medical costs.
What’s Your Dog’s Health Worth?
Your dog’s well-being is the primary concern. And aside from exercise, diet is perhaps the most vital aspect of ongoing positive health and happiness. Of course, as your pooch ages, so will her dietary needs. As a result, be sure to monitor any changes in energy level and weight so that you can continue to provide optimal nutrition for your pup.