Providing your dog with a healthy, balanced diet is vitally important for numerous reasons. When it comes to staying physically fit and mentally alert, your diet plays a big role. If you eat quality food which is packed full of vitamins and minerals, your body is in a great position to fight bacteria and viruses. The same concept applies to your dog, if you feed them well, they develop into healthy adults.
Not Everything is Safe
When it comes to your family pet, there are certain types of food they should never be given. There is a long list of foods which should avoid giving to your dog, if you aren’t sure about healthy eating plans and the best brands to give to your pet, speak to your veterinarian and ask for recommendations and information on the subject.
Here are just some of the most common foods you should never let your dog eat:
- Milk – Some dogs are lactose intolerant and they cannot digest milk or any other dairy products. If your dog reacts strongly to dairy products, cut them off the list for dinner.
- Chocolate – Many pet owners are surprised to know that chocolate is toxic and should never be given to a dog.
- Fatty Foods – Just like humans, dogs don’t do well when fed a diet containing a lot of fatty food.
- Salty Foods – Although salt is an important component of both dog and human diets, it should be consumed in moderation. You should contact your vet and ask for information regarding your dogs’ diet.
Helping Dogs Eat Healthy
If you don’t feed your dog the right kind of food, they could get seriously ill and need expensive medical treatment. If you don’t have cover in the form of pet insurance, you’ll be left to pay for costly treatment that could run into the thousands.
Dogs are all unique, and what works for one dog may not work for another breed. Knowing what to feed your type of dog can be a challenge, the easiest way to find out is to consult with your vet and gather information from credible sources online.
Your dog can eat raw meat, vegetables, rice and fish, but be careful to remove any bones that could cause them to choke. If you are giving them meat, choose something a human could eat as some doggy products contain preservatives. Have a pet nutritionist create a healthy eating plan and do your best to stick to it.
Feeding Your Dog
Many pet owners are unsure about how much food their dog should consume. The amount of food they eat is based on several factors, their age, their size, the breed of the dog and their lifestyle.
You want your pet to be happy and healthy from the moment they set foot inside your home. The best way to ensure they are getting what they need is to speak to a vet and ask about dietary requirements. A pet dietitian can help you devise a healthy eating plan which is specifically designed for your dog.