Your dog will enjoy and practically devour anything you put on his plate, but you should be careful when buying dog food. His pet does not think about vitamins and minerals and whether he is eating a balanced diet because that is his job as the owner. It’s up to you to choose the right foods that will help them stay strong and healthy.
One of the hardest parts of dog ownership is figuring out which pet food on the market will best provide the proper nutrition your dog needs, from puppyhood to seniorhood. Veterinarians and pet experts don’t always agree on the correct formulations, so you’ll see a variety of foods on the market, from wet to dry kibble. All you can do is make an informed decision based on your vet’s advice about what your growing dog needs.
Change of needs
When shopping for dog food, it’s important to remember that their nutritional needs change. Puppies often need kibble with a higher fat and nutrient content because their bodies are still developing, whereas a young dog reaching adulthood will need a different formulation.
Your dog’s transition from puppy food to regular dog food and senior formulas requires a gradual change as their digestive systems learn to tolerate a new food formula. Give yourself a week or two to transition, mixing the old and new dog food in proportionate amounts over time until you phase out the old formula.
food options
A balanced diet is essential for optimal health, but how do you choose among the many formula variations? You need to consider what a balanced diet requires for your particular breed of dog. Your pet needs a balance of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in addition to clean water every day.
One of the best ways to ensure your pet is getting the proper dog food formula is to perform weekly inspections. Do your gums look healthy? Are your eyes clear and bright? Is his skin well hydrated with a shiny, healthy-looking coat? If one or more of these indicators seem off, your dog’s food formula or brand may need to be changed.
Maintain optimal weight
One of the hardest things to maintain in humans is a healthy weight and body mass index, and dogs are no different! If you find that your pet is gaining weight, you should watch the amount and frequency of his meals. Another thing to keep in mind is any treats they may be getting each day, as they count towards the total calories in their diet. Of course, adding some physical exercise can also help maintain optimal weight.
Finding the right formulation may require some trial and error when shopping for dog food. As long as you keep an eye on your pet’s health and monitor their size and weight, you should be able to keep them healthy with no problem.
