Healthy Dog Food For A Healthy Fido
With all of the attention we pay to our own health, it is amazing that we can overlook the nutritional needs of one of the most important members of the family-our dogs. Just as humans benefit from a healthy diet, so do our four-legged friends. In this article, we’ll discuss what makes a healthy dog food and how to find one that’s right for your canine pal.
One way to find a healthy dog food is to check the lable. The best food option for your dog will be one that contains close to 40% vegetable, 40% meat, and between 10% and 20% whole grains or complex carbohydrates. These percentages and others can be found on the lable. The percentages do not have to be exact, however they should break down into percentages close to these.
Deciding whether or not your dog food ingredients are healthy is very simple. The top ingredient on the lable should be a meat protien. If the lable describes a meat by-product the product does not have as much nutritional value. The same is true for \”fillers\”. These items do not have a great nutrional value. Things like rice and oats (grains) are good any where on the lable except the top.
Organic foods for your dog are a good source of nutrition as well. While most of the ingredients are alike, the ones in organic food have less chemicals that other products contain as a result of dangerous processing methods. Organic dog food manufactures are less inhumane to their livestock as well.
All dogs have special dietary needs. Your veterinarian will be able to provide you with the best information on what blends of protiens, carbs., and fats your Fido needs. They can also let you know if Fido has any special vitimin or mineral needs. Follow your veterinanry’s advice on the best food for your dog.
Once you determine if your dog needs to switch to a healthier food, make the transition slowly. Your dog may have a hard time ajusting to the change. To help Fido in his transition, add the new dog food to the old dog food over a week or two, increasing the proportion of new food to old food daily. It is easier for Fido’s digestive system to gradually swith. If your dog does not respond well to the change, stop where you are and give him time to adjust. Once he seems to have adjusted fully, continue the process until the old food is completly removed from his diet. This type of gradual transition will also help Fido accept the change easier.
Making your own dog food at home is a great nutrional and economical option as well. The task is simple, though it will take more time than feeding regular store-bought food. Books and the Internet are good resources for recipes. Before you begin feeding your dog a home-made meal, please consult your veterinarian to ensure health as well as safety.
Lastly, don’t expect an instant miracle. The effects of good nutrition appear over weeks and months, not days. And a good dog food is not a panacea; if your dog is older or has specific health problems, they may need more time to see results, and may need additional supplements or veterinary care. Still, if you are feeding your dog a healthy diet, you know that he or she is getting the best that you can give them.
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