Thursday, August 7, 2014

A Recipe For Good Dog Health

By Garrett McMahan


Dogs, just like their human counterparts, need proper nutrition in order to maximize their health. While it's sometimes hard for humans to overcome bad habits and years of improper nutrition, dogs have the advantage that they can only eat what you feed them. To ensure that your dog stays as healthy as possible, here are some helpful tips.

Your dog's veterinarian is an excellent resource if you are seeking information about pet nutrition. The vet is the best place to get suggestions about food options, as well as understanding your pet's healthiest weight and learning the best exercises for your dog. This all differs based on the size of your dog, the age of your dog, their breed and their general level of activity.

You might be wondering whether it is best to feed a dog dry food or wet food or a combination of both. Typically, dogs enjoy wet food more, as it often has more flavor. It also has the advantage of having some water content, which can be great if you have a dog that doesn't tend to drink enough water in general. Dry dog food can be a bit better for your dog's teeth. You also can mix a bit of wet food with dry food to enhance flavor. In general, both types of food can be a good choice as long as the food itself is very high quality. In addition to taking suggestions from your vet, check the labels of the dog food. The ingredients, just like our own food, should be items we recognize and not a bunch of chemicals or fillers.

It is important to note that a dog's nutritional needs are much different than that of a person. For instance, humans need carbohydrates, but dogs actually do not need them. Still, look at the dog foods on the pet food shelves and you will see plenty of carbs listed in the ingredients. These carbs typically will not harm your pet, but just like with humans, look for very healthy carbs such as those with whole grains, sweet potatoes, barley and millet. Typically, also look for foods where sources of protein are listed above carb sources on the list of ingredients.

There are many foods that a dog should never eat. Most people know that chocolate is unsafe for dogs, but there are other healthy items that you might think are ok. Avocadoes, for instance, are considered healthy for most humans, but this fruit contains a toxin called persin, which can be dangerous for pets in large quantities. It is found in the meat, seed, leaves and bark of the avocado tree. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, and dairy products can cause digestive upset. Any food with a large pit or seed also can be a danger if your pet consumes the large seed. These are just a few foods to avoid giving to your pet.

Dogs love to explore, sniff and sample leaves and other items found in nature, but this can be harmful to your pet. If your dog is the curious type that loves a snack of leaves or rocks, proper obedience training can help. Using dog training DVDs, you can teach your dog helpful dog training skills that will ensure that your dog doesn't run off and explore areas where their health could be in danger. In addition, your dog will learn to cease chewing on something when you command, which can be helpful if they get a hold of something potentially harmful.




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