Dog Food - Getting Back to Basics

What’s in dog food? If you’re not a dog owner, you’re shaking your head with slightly narrowed eyes thinking you have no idea. If you are a dog owner, most of you are probably doing the same as the non-dog owners. The simple truth is that many dog owners have no idea what their dogs are eating. In fact, many people have no idea what they are even eating. They assume that because it’s being sold in the local supermarket or pet store that their own food and the food their dogs consume is good enough to eat; and that’s not always the truth. What your dog consumes is important to its overall health. It’s time to get to know your dogs, what they eat and how you can improve the diet your dog consumes in an effort to ensure your dog’s life is as long, healthy and vibrant as possible.

We all know that old saying, “You are what you eat,” and the same is true of your dog. If you’re just buying food from the store because it’s in the dog food aisle, chances are good your dog is consuming a diet rich in corn-based product. And while corn sounds healthy, it’s not what your dog needs to survive. Your dog should, according to a vast number of veterinary professionals, actually consume a diet that is breed-specific; based on the genetic-makeup of the dog rather than the fact that there is a dog on the package. What dog owners should know is that it’s all about the basics. It’s not nearly as complicated as it sounds to feed your dog a healthy diet, and we can provide you with some tips that will help you to feed your dog accordingly rather than improperly. What you’re going to get is a dog with better overall health, a happier dog, and one that lives a life much longer and much healthier than you might expect. In translation, you’re going to experience fewer vet bills – and we know those are expensive.

First Considerations

Would you feed your 200-pound husband the same thing that you feed your 6-pound newborn? No; you would not. So why do so many of us think that it’s perfectly acceptable to feed our 5-pound Maltese the same thing as our 50-pound German Shepherd? It’s really just basic math and basic consideration, but so many of us forget to factor that into the lifestyle of their dogs. Now that you are aware of the fact that one breed might have different dietary needs than another, let’s figure out how you can determine what it is your dog needs to eat and what it is your dog should not be eating. Before we do that, however, we should note that just because one breed is the same size as another does not necessarily mean that they will have similar dietary needs.

Talk to Your Vet

It’s important to understand that the best information you’re going to get is going to come from your vet. Your vet is going to be able to tell you specifically what it is your dog should be eating, what he or she should not be eating and how to come up with a diet that works for your dog’s lifestyle and overall health. The simple truth is that not all dogs are capable of eating all foods thanks to their own personal health. Your vet will discuss with you the process of choosing the right health food for your dog. He or she will also help you learn the basics of choosing a healthy diet, which includes the following:

• Learning to read dog food ingredients
• Learning the difference between wet and dry dog foods
• Learning what human foods are unhealthy and unsafe for dogs to consume
• Learning portion control
• Learning how frequently and infrequently to feed
• How to make healthy dog food
• How to serve appropriate portions for your dog based on age and gender and overall health

Your dog’s diet is not the same as yours. You might know the quantity of certain vitamins and minerals you need for a healthy lifestyle, but the same is not true for your dog. In fact, the same is not true of all breeds. Your vet is going to discuss this information with you to help ensure you are providing your dog with the proper nutrients in his or her daily diet.

It’s becoming more of a trend to feed your dog an all-natural, healthy diet, and it’s not something you should do simply because everyone else is doing it. However, it is something you should do because it is good for your dog and his or her well-being.