There’s a lot more to feeding your dog than buying the cheapest bag of kibble on the shelf. Your approach can mean the difference between facilitating their well-being and creating endless health problems. Just like us, our beloved canines require a balanced diet to maintain their weight and prevent disease.
It’s understandable that even the most experienced owners can be challenged by the endeavour. After all, you can put virtually anything edible in front of your dog and they’ll be over the moon, which means that the decision is entirely in your hands. Let’s make things easier by answering four important questions about feeding your dog.
What Type of Food Should Buy?
Most commercial dog foods are endorsed by labels such as AAFCO, which allow them to be marketed as ‘complete and balanced.’ While that may be true in the sense that they meet your dog’s basic nutritional needs, there’s a lot more to consider. Remember, you get what you pay for and when it comes to cheaper foods, they’re often highly processed.
This means the inclusion of low-quality ingredients that are high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and in some cases, harmful chemicals such as BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, and propylene glycol. Those don’t exactly sound like something your dog would find in the wild, do they? Fortunately, there are solutions. A popular one is raw dog food.
But what is raw dog food, exactly? One of the leading companies that produce it, Bella and Duke, have an informative guide that details the benefits. This includes the fact that they’re made of high-quality, natural ingredients that are totally free of harmful additives. Their raw dog food comes in numerous varieties for different needs and is delivered to your door for free. Plus, you can get 50% off your first order.
Alternatively you might want to go for cooked dog food but you can also opt for superfood for dogs such as Badlands Ranch which contains healthy ingredients that help support your dog’s digestion, energy levels and joints.
How Much Should I Serve?
To determine the ideal serving size, consider your dog’s age, body condition (overweight or underweight), their activity level, and the food itself, which includes its caloric and nutritional content. You can either consult your vet or use an online dog food calculator to identify the correct amount.
When Should They Eat?
The general consensus is that adult dogs should be fed twice per day, as once is too long for them to go between meals. As for puppies, it can range from three to six times depending on their size. Smaller breeds often require more frequent feeding to regulate their blood sugar.
What Should I Avoid?
Certain foods are toxic for dogs, which calls for an effort to ensure that yours can’t get hold of them. This includes chocolate, grapes, onions, fatty or salty foods, macadamia nuts, sweets, and food that has gone off. Sticking to water and avoiding other beverages is also advised. Don’t forget to inform your kids about these foods.
Keeping the above points in mind can help you ensure that your dog is only getting the best. A healthy and balanced diet may cost more than processed commercial food, but the benefits will show, and in the long run, all those vet bills you’ll avoid will make it more than worthwhile.
