Dog Food

One of the universal truths about dogs is that they eat a lot and will often eat themselves into a stupor. It's up to you to make sure that your dog gets the right formula for his or her nutritional needs. Don't forget that you need to put all this great food in bowls and feeders and dogs are sometimes picky about the bowls the eat or drink out of.

Dry vs. Canned

This debate is mostly a question of taste. Health problems aside, offer your dogs both kinds of food and see which they like better. Once you've decided which food to use, follow these guidelines to feed them the appropriate amounts.

Dry   Because of its low water content, dry food has much more nutrition per bite. Consequently, it takes less food to feed your dogs and each bag lasts longer. More economical. Better for bigger dogs. Serve with lots of water. Less tarter buildup and plaque. To make it more palatable, you might have to mix it with wet food or warm water.

Canned   Wet, yummy, messy, and fragrant. What could be better? Dogs have to eat more to get the same nutrition as dry food, but they'll like it. Good to mix with dry food as an added enticement. Can build up on teeth and cause serious rot and gum disease. Since it's the more palatable food, it's a good idea to use if they're having trouble eating, but it might be hard to introduce them to dry food once they're used to it.

Semi-moist   dog foods are also available, but they haven't received the best reviews from reviewers.

Essential Ingredients

Your vet should tell you what kinds of foods your dogs need. S/he might have specific recommendations, in fact. Follow those rules.

If you're not sure what to get, these are some, but not all, of the requirements that should make their way into your dogs' food. Everything should be certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

• Healthy, adult, 35-pound dogs need about 1000 calories a day.
• Sick dogs need twice that.
• Puppies need twice as many calories per pound as adult dogs. (But they're smaller, so the overall calories may be fewer.)
• Mother dogs need four times the average.
• Lazy and old dogs need 80% of the average.
• 20-30% protein content.
• Read what the Pet Center has to say about which proteins are digestible. While many things have protein, if dogs can't break them down, they're useless.
• Younger dogs should get 10% of calories from protein but older dogs may need up to 50% of their calories from protein.
• The quality of the protein is usually directly reflected in the price of the food.
• 2.5-4.5% dietary fiber.
• 10% fiber is good for dogs trying to lose weight.
• Too much will cause your dog to get diarrhea, and fail to absorb nutrients.
• High quality brands have lots of meat. Lower quality dry foods are soybean, corn, or rice-based. (The order of ingredients listed reflects the quantity in the food.)
• This means that higher quality foods will probably be more expensive and healthier. Your dogs will have to eat less of it to be full and healthy, though. It's a worthwhile investment.
• Calcium and magnesium are essential minerals.
• Omega-3 (Linolenic Acid) and Omega-6 (Linoleic Acid) fatty acids.
• Taurine is an amino acid that is often left out of dry food. Your dogs need it. Make sure it's on the label.

• Vitamins A, D, and E are essential, but should not be overdosed upon. Feed your dogs the amount recommended by the food brand is sufficient.

Types of Dog Food

Puppies Intended for dogs up to one year old. Many Puppy   foods are also intended for pregnant or nursing dogs. If your dog is pregnant or nursing, check with your vet to find out what kind of food is right for her. While most dogs eat once or twice a day, puppies need to eat more often, like four times a day. Some new dog owners are tempted to feed a puppy after every whimper; resist the temptation of overfeeding and avoid some premature plump on your puppy. Some vets say that puppy-specific food isn't necessary after 4 months, and that a puppy's needs can be met by adult dog food.

Adult Dogs If your dog is healthy, happy, and grown, you can probably just coast along and feed it the same food every day. Just remember to follow the directions of the vet, the packaging, and to keep an eye on your dog's health to make sure nothing changes. Maintenance Diets   -- for healthy adult dogs Small Breed   -- for dogs less than 25 lbs. Large/Giant Breed   -- for dogs more than 75 lbs. Weight Control   -- for dogs that need to lose weight. Don't trust "low fat" claims on packaging; read the nutritional labels and look at percentages. And fasting is definitely not a good dieting option. Just check with your vet before starting any kind of diet plan.

Medically Oriented Diets Get your vet's approval before putting your dog on any kind of special diet. While a Web site may say that something is safe, only your vet can address the true reality of your dog's personal health. Hypoallergenic/Additive-Free   Sensitive Stomach   Sensitive Skin   Joint Health   Oral/Dental Health

Natural Living Diets If you want your dog to live along the same principles as the rest of your family, try these diets. While feasible, they take a serious commitment and knowledge of canine nutrition. Do your homework and consult your vet first. Organic   BARF   (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) Vegetarian

Senior Dogs If your dogs are getting on in years and have started to have different nutrition needs, try these options. Food formulated for dogs older than 7 years old. Small Breed   -- for dogs less than 25 lbs. Maintenance Diets   Large Breed   -- for dogs more than 75 lbs.

Feeding Tips

• Brand Preference : Your dog has tastes. If you dog refuses to eat a particular brand of food, just switch to another brand or flavor with similar nutritional value, instead of forcing your preference on your poor companion.
• Cleaning : Clean the food bowl after every meal.
• Feeding Schedule : Some dogs need to be fed twice a day, some once, and some can be trusted to eat throughout the day. (Often the larger dogs need to eat more often.) Get together with your dog and your vet, work out a schedule, then stick to it for the course of the dog's natural life. Alternating feeding patterns will throw your dog for a loop.
• This will also help establish a walking schedule as well.
• If you keep the feeding schedule somewhat relaxed, feeding them during the same hour each day, they'll be less punctual with their pestering.
• Switching Foods : Mix the new food in with the old food and slowly phase out the old food. Doing this over a week will keep down any digestive problems.
• Table Scraps : Feed your dog once from the dinner table and expect regular suppertime harassment. In general, avoid feeding your dog human food. Why?
• Dog food made by recognized manufacturers is engineered to fill all your dog's nutritional needs. They don't need your food.
• Your food will make your dog fat.
• Bones from human food can chip and cause choking or indigestion, milk can cause diarrhea, and chocolate can cause death.
• Vitamin Supplements : If the dogs get a properly balanced diet, they won't need any vitamin supplements.
• Water : Lots of water. Especially with dry food. But especially for dogs who drool.

Treats

Treats ,  the thesaurus will tell you, are rewards. They shouldn't replace a canine's regular diet, just as you wouldn't want your child to subsist on Oreos alone. Things to consider when purchasing treats: AAFCO Approval : The Association of American Feed Control Officials puts its seal of approval on treats (and food in general) that conforms to its nutrition standards. Calories : Watch your dog's weight. Or else . Consistency : A change in ingredients from treat to treat can be hard on your dog's digestion. Ingredients : You can feed them filet mignon bits if your wallet allows, but in general look to balance quality components with reasonable price. Size : Buy treats appropriate to your dog's size. Too small and they will choke. Too large and it's no use trying to eat.

Never Feed Dogs (a partial list from Pet Education )

• Alcohol
• Bones (They get chewed into tiny little pieces and can cut up the dogs' insides.)
• Caffeine
• Cat Food
• Chocolate
• Dairy
• Garbage
• Grapes
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Pits
• Raw Eggs
• Raw Fish
• Sugary Foods
• Table Scraps
• Tobacco
• Yeast Dough

A Health Note

If you overfeed or under exercise your dogs, they will get fat. And they will experience many of the same problems that obese humans do. Big, fat, lazy dogs aren't more adorable than their skinny brethren; they're just less healthy. If you followed all of the portion information for your dog and your finding s/he is getting too fat, feed your pet less. If it's too skinny, feed it more. You can tell a lot about your dog's health by paying attention to your dog's behavior.

Related Products

Dog Food Storage	Dog Bowls and Feeders	Dog Housebreaking	Dog Toys	Dog Grooming

External Links

• 2nd Chance -- Which nutrients matter to your dog and why. Also a chart on how much to feed each breed.
• Association of American Feed Control Officials -- These people decide if your food is good enough.
• Animal Protection Institute -- What's really in dog food, from an animal rights standpoint.
• BARFworld -- About the Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods diet.
• CanisMajor -- What to do about dog obesity and treats.
• Dog Breed Info -- Puppy feeding, week by week. How much to feed your dog, by breed. Other tips, too.
• eHow -- What to feed your dog, including many tips on homemade dog food.
• Pet Center -- Pet nutrition principles from a vet.
• Pet Education -- What never to feed your dogs the brutal consequences if you do.
• PetPlace -- How to feed a dog healthfully.
• Shirley's Wellness Cafe -- Why a raw food diet might be better for your dogs.

Related Searches

all natural dog food   allergy dog food   allergy free dog food   authority dog food   avoderm dog food   back to basics dog food   bad dog food   barf diet for dogs   barf dog food   best canned dog food   best cat food   best dog food   best dog foods   best dry dog food   best pet food   best puppy food   bil jac dog food   blue buffalo dog food   blue dog food   bulk dog food   burns dog food   caesar dog food   canadae dog food   canidae dog food   canine dog food   canine food   canned dog food   cat food   cat food recall   cesar dog food   cheap dog food   chicken dog food   chicken soup dog food   compare dog food   compare dog foods   comparison dog food   corn free dog food   diabetic dog food   diamond dog food   diamond pet food   diet dog food   dog   dog and cat food   dog cat food   dog diet   dog food   dog food analysis   dog food brand   dog food brands   dog food commercial   dog food comparisons   dog food coupon   dog food coupons   dog food delivery   dog food for allergies   dog food forum   dog food healthy   dog food ingredients   dog food nutrition   dog food products   dog food protein   dog food rating   dog food ratings   dog food recall   dog food recipes   dog food samples   dog foods   dog nutrition   dog products   dog supplements   dog treats   dogs   dogs food   dr harvey's dog food   dry dog food   duck and potato dog food   eagle dog food   evanger's dog food   evangers dog food   evolve dog food   exceed dog food   exclusive dog food   food for dogs   free dog food   fromm dog food   go natural dog food   good dog food   gourmet dog food   grain free cat food   grain free dog food   healthiest dog food   healthwise dog food   healthy dog foods   healthy food for dogs   healthy pet food   healthy pet net   high fiber dog food   high protein dog food   high quality dog food   hills dog food   holistic cat food   holistic dog food   holistic dog foods   holistic pet food   home made dog food   homemade cat food   homemade dog food   homemade pet food   human grade dog food   hypoallergenic dog food   innova dog food   innova puppy food   ivd dog food   lamb and rice dog food   large breed dog food   large breed puppy food   life's abundance dog food   low fat dog food   low protein dog food   make your own dog food   maximum nutrition dog food   meat dog food   natural balance dog food   natural balance pet food   natural cat food   natural choice dog food   natural dog food   natural dog food recipes   natural dog foods   natural food for dogs   natural life dog food   natural pet food   natural pet foods   nature's recipe cat food   nature's recipe dog food   nutro cat food   nutro dog food   nutro max dog food   nutro ultra dog food   organic cat food   organic dog food   organic dog foods   organic pet food   organic puppy food   organix dog food   orijen dog food   pedigree dog food   pedigree pet food   performance dog food   pet dog food   pet food   pet food delivery   pet food nutrition   pet food online   pet foods   pet nutrition   pinnacle dog food   precise dog food   premium cat food   premium dog food   premium dog foods   premium pet food   pride dog food   puppy dog food   puppy food   quality dog food   raw diet dog   raw diet for dogs   raw dog food   raw dog food recipes   raw food diet for dogs   raw food for dogs   recommended dog food   river ranch dog food   royal canin dog food   safe dog food   science diet dog food   senior dog food   solid gold dog food   solid gold pet food   solid gold puppy food   super premium dog food   the best dog food   timberwolf dog food   top dog food   ultra dog food   vegan cat food   vegan dog food   vegetarian pet food   venison dog food   vet recommended dog food   wellness dog food   wellness dog foods   wellness dry dog food   wellness puppy food   wet dog food   what is the best dog food   wheat free dog food   wysong dog food