You love your dog, so you want to keep them as healthy and fit as possible. So how do you improve a dog’s diet?
By Guest Blogger, Tiffany
You love your dog, so you want to keep them as healthy and fit as possible. Sometimes, that means keeping your dog on a strict and nutritious diet. While that sounds good in theory, how could you possibly resist your puppy dog’s eyes when it begs for table foods or treats?
Of course, we all know that too many treats and excessive foods aren’t good for the health of our furry companions. The question remains how much food is too much for your dogs? If you want to know how to improve a dog’s diet, read on for a few simple tips.
Provide your dog with a balanced diet
Humans need a balanced diet to be healthy, and dogs do as well. If your dog eats the same canned food or dry kibbles day after day, maybe their diet is not as balanced as it could be. Just like us, dogs need a balanced diet that features protein, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.
Make sure the food you buy is suitable for your dog. If your dog is now considered a senior dog, for example, you shouldn’t feed them food formulated for a puppy, as puppies don’t have the same nutritional needs.
Consider raw dog food instead of cooked meat
Canned dog food is made from cooked, overprocessed meat, while dry food often contains gluten. Even though these dog foods are formulated to provide dogs with some of the nutrients they need, they might not be what’s best for your dog.
Raw dog food is usually easier for dogs to digest. It can bring them many health benefits, including stronger bones and a shinier coat. If you are not too sure about feeding your dog raw dog food every day, why not try it for at least one day each week, and see what happens?
Keep things interesting with some variety
A balanced diet doesn’t have to be boring. To make things interesting for your dog, you can try a different brand of dog food from time to time. Be sure to make them taste different flavours as well!
You can give some fruits and vegetables to your dog, as long as you know which ones are bad for them. For example, did you know that dogs shouldn’t eat grapes, tomatoes, asparagus, and onions?
Ask your veterinarian how many calories you should feed your dog
Do you feel like your dog might be overweight? If you haven’t talked about it with your veterinarian yet, you should. They will be able to let you know whether your dog needs to go on a diet and tell you exactly how many calories you should feed your pet each day.
This will give you a better idea of how much food you should serve your dog every day. Don’t forget that treats, supplements, and, of course, table foods contain calories as well.
Measure the portions you feed your dog
Do you fill the food bowl of your furry friend as soon as you notice it’s empty? That’s a mistake.
Instead, you should measure the food you serve your dog when it’s time for their meal. This is the best way to ensure they will get the right amount of calories for their needs. Pay attention to the feeding suggestions on your bag of dog food, but listen to the recommendations of your veterinarian as well.
Read the labels when you shop for dog food
Not all brands of dog food are made equal. If you want to make sure your dog only eats what is best for them at their stage of life, develop the habit of reading the labels of all the food, as well as the dog supplements you buy for them. Reading the labels will also help you figure out how much food you should feed your dog each day.
Don’t give your dog too many treats
As it has already been mentioned, dog treats contain calories, too. And they are generally not very nutritious. You should avoid feeding your dog too many treats, even if they constantly beg for them. Why not consider a refreshing homemade treat if it’s hot outside, like chunks of pineapple or watermelon?
Use raw bones or vegetables to improve your dog’s dental hygiene
The food you feed your dog can be good for their health, but maybe it’s not doing wonders for their dental hygiene. If you would like to improve your dog’s teeth and gum health as well as their diet, you should consider giving them raw bones to gnaw on. You could also give them some pieces of carrots. As they gnaw and chew on these, their teeth will get cleaned.
Make sure your dog always has fresh water to drink
Finally, you should, of course, make sure your dog always has fresh and clean water to drink. Keep an eye on how much they drink. If your dog suddenly starts drinking less, or more water than usual, it could be a sign that something is wrong with their health.
about the author
Tiffany is a beloved dog enthusiast. In her university days, she volunteered at a dog shelter, where she found her passion in animal care. Years after graduating, she still volunteers at the dog shelter from time to time. Tiffany currently owns three dogs at home, all of whom she loves equally.
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