Wednesday, July 9, 2014

How To Keep Your Dog Healthy & Happy

By Garrett McMahan


Dogs, just like their human counterparts, need proper nutrition in order to maximize their health. While it's sometimes hard for humans to overcome bad habits and years of improper nutrition, dogs have the advantage that they can only eat what you feed them. To ensure that your dog stays as healthy as possible, here are some helpful tips.

Your dog's veterinarian is an excellent resource if you are seeking information about pet nutrition. The vet is the best place to get suggestions about food options, as well as understanding your pet's healthiest weight and learning the best exercises for your dog. This all differs based on the size of your dog, the age of your dog, their breed and their general level of activity.

These days there are many choices for dog food, but generally most of us simply must choose between dry food and wet food. Both types have their advantages and disadvantages. Wet food provides a source of liquid and dogs often really enjoy the flavor. Dry food lasts longer, both on the shelf and in the dog dish. Both can supply all the nutrition your dog will need, so the real focus should be on how much you feed and the overall quality of the food itself. Consider opting for brands that contain ingredients that you actually have heard of such as chicken, lamb and rice. If the ingredient list is massiv, and you've never heard of most of the ingredients, it's probably not the best choice.

You might think that what is good for you nutritionally also is a good choose for your dog, but their bodies have much different needs. The main difference is that dogs only need to eat protein-rich and fatty foods. They don't actually have to eat foods rich in carbohydrates. Humans tend to need and want grains and fruit, which have many carbs, but your dog doesn't have to have these in order to have a balanced diet. However, they are a big ingredient in most dog foods and they certainly will not harm your pet. Simply ensure that the main ingredients in your food are good sources of protein and that the carbs are whole grain or perhaps foods such as sweet potato or pumpkin.

There are many foods that a dog should never eat. Most people know that chocolate is unsafe for dogs, but there are other healthy items that you might think are ok. Avocadoes, for instance, are considered healthy for most humans, but this fruit contains a toxin called persin, which can be dangerous for pets in large quantities. It is found in the meat, seed, leaves and bark of the avocado tree. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, and dairy products can cause digestive upset. Any food with a large pit or seed also can be a danger if your pet consumes the large seed. These are just a few foods to avoid giving to your pet.

If you have a dog that really enjoys sneaking food from their humans or tends to nosh on leaves and bark when outdoors, it's probably time to apply some obedience training to nip the problem in the bud. A well-trained dog will obey boundaries, such as staying out of flower beds or bushes or staying away from spilled food or out of the pantry. If you are unsure how to train, simply purchase a dog training program such as The Dog's Way which will provide owners with the skills to handle any obedience issue.




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