Taking great care of your dog involves giving him or her a great diet. Your dog’s nutrition is going to have a significant effect on every element of his or her well-being. Here are some ways that you can make sure that your dog is eating nutritiously.
Find Out What’s in Your Dog’s Food
Unfortunately, a lot of the most popular brands of dog food that line supermarket shelves are made with poor ingredients. They contain a lot of highly processed materials and byproducts. Ideally, you should give your dog food that’s made primarily with all-natural or organic ingredients. In addition, you should look for a brand that is specially formulated by a veterinarian to optimize nutritional content. Check your dog food online to learn more about the ingredients and evaluate how it compares to other options.
Assure That Your Dog Enjoys Meal Times
Your dog should get excited when it’s time to eat a meal. Eating is one of the greatest joys in life for any domesticated animals, so you want to see your dog’s tail wagging when you put a bowl of food down. However, if your dog shows lackluster enthusiasm about what’s on the menu, it could mean that his or her food isn’t up to par. Dogs generally aren’t very fussy eaters, but they have a very acute sense of smell. A food that’s made with substandard ingredients may not seem appealing to your dog. Get your dog a food that he or she will be excited about eating. When your dog enjoys mealtimes, he or she will likely feel both happier and healthier.
Give Your Dog Healthy Treats
It’s typical for dog owners to want to share a little bit of what they’re snacking on when their dogs ask. An occasional treat of some healthy people foods such as chicken or beef is certainly okay for your dog, but sugary snacks aren’t good for your dog’s stomach. Also, a lot of the food that you snack on such as chips or crackers may stick to the sides of dogs’ teeth and cause a buildup of plaque or tartar that can lead to oral health issues.
You have to make an effort to refrain from giving your dog an excessive amount of food as treats. Don’t give in every time that your dog begs. Keep some healthy treats at the ready so you can offer your dog a consolation treat when he or she wants what you’re eating. Treats should be high in protein or fiber and low in calories. Also, they should be easy on your dog’s digestive system. Also, consider getting some dental treats to help keep your dog’s teeth clean. These treats have a fibrous material that removes plaque and food from dogs’ teeth as they chew. Your dog won't know that he or she is eating something that's good for oral care. He or she will just be excited about getting a treat!
Be Attentive to Changes in Digestive Habits
Irregularity with digestion or changes in your dog’s stool may be indicative of a dietary problem or an underlying health condition. While it’s understandable that you may not necessarily want to study your dog’s bowel movements in great detail, you have to pay attention to changes. For example, frequent diarrhea could mean that there is a buildup of unhealthy bacteria in your dog’s digestive tract. Hard stools or rectal bleeding may signify that your dog isn’t getting adequate hydration in his or her dietary intake. If you observe chronic or even just sporadic changes in your dog's digestion, you should bring it up with your veterinarian. He or she can suggest possible remedies and determine whether any lab work such as a stool culture is necessary to identify any type of problem.
Ultimately, paying attention to what you feed your dog and being conscientious about his or her digestion will help you make sure that your dog has good nutrition. Give your dog the best possible care with healthy and nutritious food.
About the Author:
Mia Morales is a loving wife and mother of twins from Colorado. She is a self-described “DIY addict”, and loves to decorate her house and office with her creations. As a mother, Mia is really passionate about health, nutrition, and what she puts in her body. When she’s not writing, you can find her playing with her little dog and kids. Who says moms aren’t superheroes?
