Wednesday, November 28, 2007

A Homemade Natural Dog Diet

Who knows what that canned dog food or bag of kibble from the grocery store is really made of? Have you checked the label and read the list of ingredients? Did it just baffle you even more? What do those long, scientific terms actually mean? The only way you can really know what makes up your dog's diet is to make it yourself at home.

Making a homemade natural dog diet isn't hard. It will take a little time and knowledge to do, but will make your dog's diet a nourishing and healthy one. The best part about a homemade natural dog diet is that you'll know exactly what your dog is eating.

Making a healthy homemade natural dog diet will let you take control of your dog's health. There are many options available to you when choosing the specific ingredients and amounts to include in your dog's diet. You should always speak with your vet about what you should be feeding your dog. Your vet will assist you in deciding what foods and products are the best to include or avoid in your natural dog diet. Your vet can also teach you about any possible supplements that might be a good idea to include in your dog's diet in order to maximize it's overall health potential.

You might think about the raw diet for your dog. The raw diet is made up of grains, vegetable juices, and of course, raw meat. The idea behind this particular dog diet is to give your dog the diet that nature had originally intended. Giving your dog the raw diet will assist in encouraging good health.

Another homemade natural dog diet is the organic dog diet, which is made up of grains, vegetables, and organic meats. If you happen to have a local shop that carries home grown organic foods, this might be a great option for your dog. If you have the space and time, think about growing your very own organic vegetables to include in your dog's diet.

Have you decided that natural is the way to go? If so, good choice. Now that you have decided against giving your dog any more processed foods, what are your choices in the way of treats for your dog? You can make homemade natural dog treats as well. It's as easy as giving your dog a piece of apple or a baby carrot. Both of these make great natural treats for your dog. Dogs also love ice cubes as a treat or snack.

Your dog's diet can consist of other homemade treats like dog biscuits, that are made with organic ingredients, or even frozen vegetable juice. Just remember to keep your dog's diet balanced properly by subtracting the number of treats you give your dog from the dog's normal meal amounts. As an example, if your dog's diet usually consists of 5 baby carrots per day, you might want to subtract them from the dog's meal and use them as treats throughout the day.

Take charge over your dog's health by feeding your dog a homemade natural dog diet. Try to avoid processed foods, which are simply not as healthy for your dog. There are a lot of natural diet options available. Your vet can advise you on which natural dog diet is the best for both you and your dog.


Monday, November 26, 2007

Where You Can Find Nutritious Dog Food for Your Dog's Diet

You want your dog to eat right. You're aware of the many benefits of a nutritious and healthy dog diet, but now the question is where do you get the best dog food for your dog's diet?

There are many great kinds of dog food on the market now. You can even buy cans or bags of dog food conveniently at your local grocery store. More and more stores are starting stock higher quality dog foods at lower costs to the consumer.

If you don not want to chance buying dog food at the grocery store, think about stores that sell animal feeds. Companies like TSC help customers who are looking for nutritional foods for their pets on a regular basis. They would more than likely be able to assist you in deciding on a particular food brand to fit your dogs dietary needs. You can find some higher class dog foods at these types of stores that you probably wouldn't find at Wal-Mart.

A few companies utilize the internet as their storefront to market their natural and organic dog diets. Check online to find a kind of dog food that seems right to you. Some of these merchants even deliver your dog food purchase to your door. The internet has expanded the choices of pet owners in regards to their dog's diet.

Obviously, your vet can advise you on the best dog diet type for your dog. They may even sell specific varieties or brands from their office. As soon as you have chosen a particular diet for your dog, think about picking up the food when you take your dog in for a checkup. A trusted veterinarian won't suggest dog food that isn't appropriate for your dog's diet, so this might be a good place to begin. If your vet advises you to feed your dog a certain kind of diet due to health issues, your vet may very well be one of the few places you'll be able to buy the particular food to fill you dog's dietary requirements.

You might find the best nutritious dog diet from your own kitchen or garden. Some dog owners actually opt to cook for their dog. Dog diets need grain, vegetables, and meat. Not only can these foods be prepared at home, but, when carefully selected, also provide great nutrition for your dog. If you happen to have carrots or green beans in your garden, think about including these vegetables to your dog's diet. This way you know how the food was prepared and exactly where it came from.

A nutritious dog diet can also be found at the butcher. If you decide to prepare a raw diet for your dog, you can find quality meats to include in your dog's diet from your local butcher. Fresh chicken breast or ground turkey is usually best.

No matter what kind of food you pick for your dog's diet, always speak with your vet before making any alterations to your dog's diet. Once you have chosen a particular diet for your dog, capitalize on the easiest and healthiest methods available to you.


Sunday, November 25, 2007

Do Supplements Need to be Included in Your Dog's Diet?

A healthy diet is crucial for a happy and long life with your dog. Is your dog's diet lacking? Do supplements need to be included in your dog's diet? What kinds of supplements need to be added to your dog's diet?

Usually, your dog's diet won't require any additional supplements. If you are feeding your dog a diet made by a reputable manufacturer, then your dog's food should already be specifically designed for a good healthy balance of everything your dog needs.

Some times some lower quality dog foods may be lacking in all the nutrients and vitamins your dog needs and thus will require supplementation. Your veterinarian might advise you to provide your dog's diet with a little boost. Think about adding a hard boiled egg to your dog's diet for a couple a days a week. Doing this easy step will provide additional amounts of vitamin D and vitamin A to your dog's diet. These vitamins assist in maintaining healthy eyes and good bone structure.

Despite whatever dog diet you've decided to give your dog, whether it be a raw diet, a home made cooked diet, or just want to be positive that your dog's diet is the best it can be, you'll want to be informed about the benefits of some other supplements. Nuts, green vegetables, and whole grains can all be used to supplement vitamin B in your dog's diet. Other supplements that will also add vitamin B to your dog's diet include liver, beans, and yeast. Vitamin B is important in a dog's diet because it supports healthy muscles and skin.

Your dog's diet can be supplemented with vitamin E in order to fend off a lacking immune system. Vegetable oil, bran, and wheat germ are some good sources of supplements that will provide additional vitamin E.

Vitamin K is another nutrient that is important in your dog's diet because it enhances the blood clotting abilities of your dog. Seeds, leafy greens, fish, and liver can provide your dog's diet with vitamin K.

Glucosamine can be another great supplement for your dog's diet. It has been proven that glucosamine can ward of arthritis and improve joint health in your dog.

If it isn't done the right way, it can be risky to include supplements in your dog's diet. You might think that you're giving your dog low calories and good vitamins by giving your dog some raisins or grapes, but the truth is that some dogs, after eating such fruit, have actually been known to suffer renal failure and die. Always get advice from your vet before changing or adding supplements to your dog's diet.

Calcium supplements, when used excessively, can be dangerous in your dog's diet. Even though calcium in moderation is good to help form healthy and strong bones, excessive calcium can cause trouble. Larger breed puppies that are given excessive calcium might form large bones, but the bones don't have the strength they require.

Always discuss any supplements that your are thinking about with your vet. Your vet can offer you advice on the right amount of each supplement that your dog's diet might need. Your vet wants the best for your dog just like you do. Giving your dog a nutritious and healthy diet is an easy way to maintain your dog's health.


Friday, November 23, 2007

Switching Your Dog's Diet the Right Way

There might be a few occasions during your dog's life that may call for you to switch the diet of your dog. It's important to understand the right method to switch your dog's diet to make your dog's transition easier.

There are a lot of reasons that might urge you to switch your dog's diet. For example, a puppy needs to switch from nursing for milk to dog food. An adult dog might need to switch to a dog food especially designed for older or senior dogs. Health issues could be another reason for a switch in your dog's diet.

After a consultation with your veterinarian about switching your dog's diet, you'll need to think about all of your possible options. When you finally decide on the change you're going to make, you'll want to make that change over time. Don't stop feeding your dog one kind of diet on Monday night and start feeding your dog something different Tuesday morning. A drastic switch like that might have some serious consequences.

Switching your dog's diet too soon can cause your dog to have an upset stomach and possibly diarrhea.

Switching your dog's diet the right way takes a few days. Over a period of 2 weeks, gradually cut down the amount of your dog's original diet and slightly increase your dog's new diet. If you usually feed your dog 3 cups of kibble a day, for example, you'll want to switch your dog's diet about 1/4 cup a day. Remember if your dog eats twice daily, divide that amount in half per feeding.

On the first day of this switch you'd feed your dog their 3 cups of the current kibble and 1/4 cup of the new food. The total amount needs to be alotted between however many meals throughout the day. On the second day, 2 and 3/4 cups of the current diet and 1/2 cup of the new food. By the fourteenth day, your dog's diet should have been entirely switched over.

This process might seem a bit slow and tedious at first, but it's for the best. Your dog's diet is different than a human's diet. Humans change their diet daily. Your dog's diet, on the other hand, is best when it's consistent. Don't switch feeding methods or brands of dog food frequently.

When you discover a diet that promotes the health of your dog, stick with it. Actually, you should allow at least a few weeks, preferably months, pass by on the new diet before ascertaining the results, unless your vet has directed you to do otherwise. Some situations might come up where this will not be a possible plan.

Your dog's vet can best teach you why and when to go about switching your dog's diet. The right method for switching your dog's diet will take time, unless directed otherwise. The slow switch will lessen the change and stress to your dog's digestive tract and system overall. Whenever you find that a particular diet is working for your dog, it's usually best to leave things well enough alone. Consistency in your dog's diet is helpful in maintaining the ultimate health potential of your dog.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Signs that Your Dog's Diet Needs to be Changed

How would you know your dog's diet needs to be changed? Who can you speak with to understand more about what might need to be changed concerning your dog's diet? It might seem like your dog is just fine eating whatever can or bag of dog food ends up in your shopping cart, but how can you know for certain that the dog's diet is on the right track?

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when your trying to determine if and when your dog's diet might need to be changed. How does your dog act? Is your dog frequently rummaging through the house for scraps and crumbs? Can your dog comfortably rest after a meal?

A dog with a full belly will be content and after eating a good meal, will have the ability to comfortably take a nap.

Is your dog's excrement thin, runny, or firm? Your dog's diet dramatically affects their excrement. By paying attention during potty breaks, you'll be able to determine if your dog has an appropriate diet.

Is your dog frequently feeling ill or under the weather? If so, you might want to think about what is in your dog's dish. A dog's diet feeds their immune system and maintains your dog's health. Your dog will not function at their best if their diet lacks the proper nutrition and vitamins.

As your dog matures, a change in your dog's diet might be necessary. An adult dog has different dietary requirements than that of a puppy. Older dogs might need senior diets to assist in combating weight or medical problems.

Afer observing your dog, do they seem high strung or lazy? Your dog's diet can influence your dog's energy level. If you take your dog on walks that consist of a few miles, you might need to adapt your dog's diet to accommodate the higher level of activity.

If you keep your dog outside or inside can affect your dog's diet. For example, dogs that stay outside during the winter might need additional food and extra calories in order to stay warm in the cold.

Always speak with a professional whenever you have questions about what kind of diet your dog needs. Always inform your vet of any health or medical concerns. They will be happy to speak with you about the specific pros and cons of various dog diets. Work with your vet to decide if your dog's diet requires a change.

There are a lot of different factors that can influence the possibility that your dog's diet requires a change. Age, health concerns, and even weather conditions can cause the need to alter your dog's diet. Speak with your vet about what the best diet for your dog is. Good education and observation will help you determine whether or not your dog's diet is on the right track.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

How Your Dog's Diet Assists Your Dog's Oral Health

People need to floss and brush their teeth on a regular basis to maintain the healthy condition of their gums, tongue, and teeth. Recently some research has suggested that good oral health may lower the risk of heart disease in humans. If oral health has such an impact on humans, then we need to contemplate the potential impact it could have on our dogs.

Obviously, brushing your dog's teeth on a regular basis will help to keep tartar and plaque buildup from becoming a problem. It can even be beneficial to wipe your dog's gums with a wet, clean cloth.

Your dog's diet affects your dog's oral health. Do you usually feed your dog dry or canned dog food? What types of toys and treats do you give your dog? All of these examples can affect your dog's oral health.

If your dog's diet contains essential enzymes, nutrients, and vitamins and is nutritionally sound overall, your dog will have great oral health. Feed your dog dry dog food instead of wet canned dog food. The hard surface of dry kibble rubs against your dog's teeth, reducing plaque. If you soften dry dog food with gravy or water you'll be eliminating this benefit.

The treats you feed your dog are just as much a part of the dog's diet as snacks are a part of a human's diet. As humans, we usually tend to overlook our snacking, so it's easy to overlook what kind and how many treats you feed your dog. You need to carefully think about any item you feed your dog.

Do you treat your dog with rawhides, bones, dog biscuits, or jerky treats? You may not of realized it, but giving your dog a rawhide is similar to tossing your dog a candy bar.

A lot of the snacks and treats you give your dog can be simply empty wasted calories. On the other hand, some treats can help improve your dog's oral health. Hard dog biscuits, for example, help to reduce tartar buildup on your dog's teeth. Softer treats, like jerky treats, don't help nearly at all with your dog's oral health. Some treats even help keep your dog's breath nice and fresh.

In order for your dog to have great oral health, your dog's diet needs to be a healthy and nutritious one. Remember, dry dog food is the best choice when possible and give your dog treats that will help maintain your dog's overall health, especially their oral health.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Benefits of Your Dog's Diet Including Fiber

We already know that there are benefits of including fiber in our diets, but are there any in your dog's diet? Fiber was considered to be just filler in the past, but fiber's nutritional value in a dog's diet has finally been realized in the present.

What is fiber? Fiber is a portion of carbohydrates. Also, fiber isn't greatly digestible. Fiber can benefit your dog's diet in the appropriate portions. Similar to humans, excessive fiber can have adverse effects to the digestive system. It's important to keep track of your dog's diet in order to maintain a suitable fiber level for your dog's needs. Discuss the benefits of making fiber part of your dog's diet with your vet.

Obesity is a health issue suffered by both people and pets. Pet's become overweight far too often. Making fiber a part of your dog's diet is a great way to assist your dog lose any excess weight. Keeping a good healthy weight is very important to not only the longevity of your dog's life, but to the it's overall quality as well. We know that weight loss can't be accomplished by fiber alone, but fiber can make a difference. Your dog will be kept feeling content and full without a tremendous amount of calories because of fiber.

Dogs that achieve their weight goals might require a bit extra fiber in their diets to keep that desired weight. Combining both fiber and rigid portion control will allow you to be able to produce a dog diet that's not only healthy, but satisfying for your dog as well.

Like humans, dogs can suffer from constipation. As long as your dog's diet contains fiber, it will assist in preventing constipation from occurring. Your dog's diet should contain higher levels of fiber the older your dog becomes. Older dogs usually have to deal with constipation more than younger dogs. Because of this you'll notice higher fiber content in foods designed for senior dogs.

Obviously, fiber helps to keep things moving, but how? Fiber absorbs water. Due to this water absorption, the intestinal contents have more bulk. It is this bulk is what induces movement through the intestinal tract. The movement time through the bowels becomes more regular and normalized.

The right amount of fiber in your dog's diet will add to fecal consistency. You'll know when your dog is receiving the right amount of fiber because your dog will need to be taken out on a regular basis. Excessive fiber in your dog's diet will have messy results.

When utilized in moderation, fiber is beneficial to your dog's health when it's included in your dog's diet. Remember to speak with your vet in regards to the right amount of fiber to include in your dog's diet.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

The Importance of Your Dog's Feeding Schedule

Your dog's feeding time is equally as important as your dog's diet. Just like humans, a dog needs to eat on a regular basis. As we've discussed before, snacks and meals need to be monitored to maintain a healthy diet for your dog. It's always a good idea to space out snacks and mealtimes on a feeding schedule.

You want to come up with a feeding schedule not only to support your dog's dietary needs, but on your dog's health and age as well. Adult dogs might only require to eat once a day, but two mealtimes a day are preferred.

Even though a dog's dietary needs tend to change over time, senior dogs usually stick to the typical feeding schedule of an adult dog.

On the other hand, puppies need more mealtimes throughout the day. Puppies that are still nursing should be allowed to nurse as needed. As you begin to change your puppy's diet from milk to regular dog food, you are going to need to give your puppy food 4 to 5 times a day. As soon as the puppy has been weaned from milk and has become accustomed to it's new diet, you can lessen the feeding times to 3 times a day.

Your dog should receive it's diet at regular intervals throughout the day. When you feed your dog is completely up to you, but a regular schedule needs to be established. Try to avoid any drastic changes in your dog's feeding times. If your adult dog gets fed before you go to work, let's say around 6 a.m., and once again at 6 p.m., attempt to stick with that schedule all week long.

Any treats you give the dog as part of it's diet are also part of the dog's daily routine. If you give your dog a chew bone just before lunch everyday, your dog will be eagerly awaiting that snack at the same time everyday.

Creating and maintaining a feeding schedule for your dog helps to maintain your dog's diet. Getting used to feeding your dog on a regular basis is pretty easy. An added bonus to scheduled feeding times is that they will help you anticipate when your dog needs to go out, which is especially handy when housebreaking an adult dog or potty training a puppy. If your dog varies from it's feeding schedule on it's own, it could be an early warning of something being wrong with your dog.

When most dog owners think of their dog's diet, they only think about the food their dogs consume. Remember when you feed your dog is just as important as what you feed your dog.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

The Effects of Treats on Your Dog's Diet

You already know how important it is for your dog to have a healthy diet. You have consulted with your vet about a nutritious and healthy dog food. Whether you decided to go with dry food, canned food, or even make your dog's food from scratch, you might still be missing something very important concerning your dog's diet.

Do you sometimes give your dog a treat of rawhide to chew on or something from the dinner table? These treats might seem like simple snacks, but they actually can add up. You might not have thought about it before, but any treats you give your dog are now a part of the dog's diet. Now the question is, how important of a part are the the treats in your dog's diet? Do you only give one treat a day to your dog, or do you toss your dog a treat for every trick and adorable look?

The kind of treats your dog receives make an impact on your dog's diet. Do you give your dog some cookies, table scraps, or maybe some popcorn as a treat? If it's junk food for humans, then it is definitely junk food for dogs. Actually, even some foods that are healthy for humans are not for your dog. Raisins are a perfectly healthy food for people, but can be damaging to your dog's health. Think before you treat.

There is a bit of a debate concerning rawhides as a treat. Some vets and dog owner's feel that rawhides are a bad treat for a dog. Others are of the opinion that rawhides create good dental health and entertainment for a dog. Talk it over with your vet and see what they have to say about it. If you come to the decision that rawhides will be included in your dog's diet, try to avoid giving your dog too many. Rawhides are full of empty calories and can make thin stools.

Your dog sees a treat as just a treat and, for the most part, doesn't really care if it gets a Milk Bone, rawhide chew, or even a baby carrot. Your dog is simply happy to get the treat. Giving your dog a lot of treats can be fun for the both of you, but can cause some serious health issues for your dog.

Small pieces of apple, baby carrots, and ice cubes make great healthy treat ideas to think about when deciding on your dog's diet. These treats make a small difference altogether and make it easier for you to keep track of the daily intake of your dog. Now you can concentrate completely on the food your dog eats at their scheduled mealtimes. In order to ensure a happy and long life for your pet, your dog's diet must be a healthy one.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Tips on Choosing Nutritious Foods for Your Dog's Diet

Choosing nutritious foods to include in your dog's diet can be a daunting task. One of the main cornerstones to maintaining your dog's health is your dog's diet. In order for your dog to thrive instead of just survive, it is crucial that you determine what foods will consist of the essential nutrients your dog needs.

Here are some general rules of thumb to choosing foods to make up your dog's diet. Understand that all dogs are different. The diet of your friend's dog might not be suitable for your dog.

When trying to decide what your dog's diet should consist of, the first step is to discuss it with your vet. Your vet is just as concerned with your dog's welfare as you are. Your vet will be able to guide you in the decision ahead.

The main part of your dog's diet should consist of a well known brand of dog food. Though it is possible to come across a brand that you've never heard of that is still of good quality, a dog food from a well known manufacturer lends some security when trying to decide if the food is high quality. Well known dog food manufacturers spend their resources researching animal nutrition. Let your dog profit from the manufacturer's large amount of knowledge instead of trying to figure it all out alone.

Pick an age appropriate dog food. If you have an older dog, think about a dog diet formulated for senior dogs. Puppies nutritional needs differ from those of an adult dog. Even the size and breed of your dog are factors to consider when choosing your dog's diet. There are diets that are formulated specifically for both large and small breed dogs. You need to remember this when choosing your dog's diet.

Your dog's diet ought to be made up of quality food designed to fill the dietary needs of your dog. Nutritional supplements should only be fed to your dog when suggested by a vet. Too many supplements can actually lower your dog's quality of health.

Always confer with your vet on what your dog's diet should consist of. Your dog's diet plays a large part in maintaining your dog's health, so make your decision wisely. Choose not only a well known brand of dog food, but also one that is also suitable for your dog's dietary needs. The right diet equals good health and quality of life for your dog.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Why You Shouldn't Give Your Dog Table Scraps

It happens to all of us. While we are sitting at the table eating our dinner, we can't help but notice our four-legged friend sitting under the table. With their tail wagging and head cocked just so, they might as well be screaming "Gimme Gimme Gimme!". We know what the dog wants. The dog wants some of our dinner. Couldn't hurt to give the dog a couple of bites, right?

In reality, there shouldn't be any table scraps in a dog's diet. A dog's dietary needs simply are not like those of a human. Obviously, both humans and dogs do technically eat some of the same foods, but giving your dog table scraps is one of the greatest errors you can make in regards to your dog's health. A dog's diet simply does not need all the additional goodies that our meals consist of.

Obesity isn't just a problem for people, it can be a problem for dogs too. When a dog's diet is made up of mainly table scraps, there is a good chance that dog will have difficulty keeping a healthy weight. Just being a couple pounds over weight could have a negative affect on a dog's life, both in quality and longevity.

If your dog doesn't happen to be a picky eater, it is probably tempting to treat your dog as four-legged garbage disposal, but it's really a bad idea. Your dog's diet should never consist of certain types of people foods because they can hurt your dog. An example of this would be grapes, which can cause dangerous problems for dogs, sometimes even death. Popcorn and chicken bones can also be problematic for dogs. Allowing large amounts of chocolate can also cause serious health issues when part of a dog's diet.

There are some situations when a snack from the kitchen might be okay, but not in excess. Speak with your vet about what snacks would be healthy for your dog's diet. If you can't stop feeding your dog table scraps, alot of vets advocate that you give your dog pieces of carrot or ice cubes to eat.

Therefore, the next time you catch your dog staring longingly at your plate of food, don't cave in and give them a piece of that chicken leg. Rather, throw your beloved pet an ice cube or a baby carrot or two to chew on. This will not only leave your dog happy, but will give you the knowledge that you are providing a good quality diet for your dog.

Dog Food: Canned vs. Kibble

A dog's diet impacts all aspects of their health. Without a doubt, you wish only the best for your furry buddy. You have a lot of choices available when choosing the healthiest for your dog's diet. It may be difficult to decide which food would be the most beneficial for your dog's health, Which way to go, dry kibble or canned dog food?

The question of which food to choose has been pondered since the two types of food hit the market. What benefits are there to canned dog food? Is kibble better than canned? Maybe it's merely a matter of personal taste when choosing between the two.

To help make your decision easier to come by, we'll look at the benefits of each dog food in regards to a healthy diet for your dog. Remember, the best advice you can get on this subject is by simply talking to your vet about your dog's dietary needs.

Canned dog food has received a bad image since it's inception. Alot of dog owners believe that canned food is too highly priced, particularly for bigger breeds that need larger amoounts of food on a daily basis.

An important benefit of canned dog food is that it usually consists of quality ingredients. Often you'll discover that canned food provides large pieces of actual meat for your dog. In many brands you'll find less fillers and additives. Understanding the importance of quality ingredients, canned dog food surely has got it's place in a healthy dog diet.

An additonal benefit of canned food is it's palatableness. Dogs tend to go for canned dog food rapidly. This can definitely be a great advantage if your dog is a picky eater.

Dogs that have got difficulty with chewing and oral health will discover the moist food to be easier to eat. Should you notice your dog is having trouble eating kibble, then canned food might be the answer to your dog's issue.

Dry kibble has it's benefits as well. Dry kibble assists in keeping your dog's teeth free of tartar and plaque. Dry kibble easily maintains great oral health for your dog when it is the main part of your dog's diet. Canned food, on the other hand, doesn't provide the same results.

You don't have to refrigerate dry kibble after opening like you do with canned dog food. This may make traveling with your dog a lot easier.

Cost is a definite benefit to dry kibble as well. Good quality dry kibble is easily available to dog owners at a fair price.

Whichever food you end up choosing, dry kibble or canned, you'll always want to discuss the choice with your vet. Canned dog food consists of quality ingredients, good for picky eaters, and good for dogs suffering from oral health issues. Dry kibble assists with good oral health and is inexpensive. Catering your dog with great nutrition is the start to properly caring for your dog.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Is Your Dog's Diet Really Important?

When you think about how unpleasant people can be when they are hungry or undernourished, you can see how important it is to pick a good, healthy diet for your dog. You and your dog will simply not enjoy your time together as much as you could if your dog has a poor diet.

Choosing a good quality diet can increase the likeliness of your dog sustaining a longer and happier life. Your dog's diet should include basic vitamins and minerals crucial to maintain the dog's health. Your dog's diet ought to include extra nutritional supplements as well. Talking with your vet about this subject will help you make educated decisions about what should be included in your dog's diet. Be sure to inquire about glucosamine and/or fish oils, since they can fight health issues like arthritis and dandruff.

Your dog's diet has an affect on your dog's energy level. If it's diet is deficient, your dog might become sluggish or become not able to rest properly. If your dog needs additional nutrition to walk or run long distances, a good diet is essential.

Your dog's diet has an affect on the number and size of it's bowel movements. If your dog eats a good healthy diet that consists of few fillers, it's bowel movements will be less. This is not only beneficial to your dog, but to whomever picks up after your dog as well.

Obesity isn't just a human affliction, your dog may suffer from it as well. Your dog's diet is an important aspect in sustaining a good healthy weight for your dog. Additional treats seem like a mere luxury, but they may cause dangerous health issues when fed to your dog too often.

A healthy diet will make your dog's coat both feel and look better. Quality nutrition and decent grooming will maintain the shine and texture of your dog's coat.

Your dog's diet affects your dog's teeth as well. Picking a dry dog food helps to polish and sharpen your dog's teeth. To reduce plaque and tartar buildup, try avoiding canned dog food whenever possible.

A healthy diet for your dog is one of the most effective ways to improve the life of your dog. Choosing your dog's diet intelligently and speaking with your vet are great ways to accomplish this goal and your dog will lead a longer and happier life for it.