| A dogs' nutritional needs differs from | | | | Buying Dog Food Tips |
| humans. What we believe as healthy for us | | | | |
| often is not sufficient or appropriate for | | | | Dogs need proper nutrition in order to be |
| dogs. To ensure your dog receives the best | | | | healthy, happy and for their coat to be soft |
| nutrition you need to understand a dog's | | | | and glossy. The cost of any dog food and its |
| specific needs and how to address these | | | | brand is only important if dogs could read or |
| needs. Taking care of man's best friend does | | | | pay for the meal. The easiest and best way to |
| take a little preparation and know-how. | | | | find out which food is best for your dog is |
| | | | to observe how their response is to the food |
| There are essential nutrients needed to grow, | | | | they take in. |
| go and glow. If your dog does not receive | | | | |
| correct nutrients it will possibly result in | | | | The following are tips you should remember |
| poor health, stunted growth in puppies, | | | | when feeding dog kibbles, nibbles or any kind |
| lethargy and a shortened life span. | | | | of treats. |
| | | | |
| Dogs need five basic nutrients for survival: | | | | - Chocolate is lethal to dogs. The major |
| carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and | | | | components are methylxanthine alkaloids and |
| minerals. These serve different functions in | | | | theobromine in regular chocolate and are |
| sustaining the health and well being of the | | | | digested and excreted by humans in under 3 |
| dog and out guide will help you ensure your | | | | hours but the same compounds when ingested by |
| dog receives these nutrients. | | | | dogs stays inside them for 18 hours and this |
| | | | has been proven to be fatal. Symptoms of |
| 1. Proteins | | | | chocolate poisoning include vomiting, |
| | | | excessive urination, hyperactivity, diarrhea |
| Proteins are the health building block; they | | | | and these can be followed by seizure, coma |
| are chemicals made of amino acids. Your dog | | | | and ultimately death. |
| can produce some of these chemicals in their | | | | |
| own bodies but the rest need to be supplied | | | | - Read the label of hte product. Dogs must |
| through food intake. The best sources of | | | | have a diet rich in meat protein,so when you |
| these amino acids are meat and its by | | | | purchase canned foods look for chicken, |
| products. Dogs can extract proteins from | | | | turkey, any red meat, pork or other animal by |
| these a lot easier than it can with plant | | | | products as these keep the dog's coat smooth |
| sources. Repeat: meat. | | | | and healthy. Dogs prefer meat-based diets |
| | | | because they are easily digestible and is a |
| Choose foods that have an adequate amount of | | | | great source of energy. |
| protein to help your puppies and dogs grow. | | | | |
| | | | - Don't give a dog just any bone. Contrary to |
| 2. Fats | | | | popular belief, feeding bones to dogs is not |
| | | | necessarily a good idea. Small soft bones |
| Fat is something everyone tries to avoid it | | | | gnawed and eaten by dogs can splinter inside |
| because it can cause many health problems, | | | | their throat and cause them to choke. Chicken |
| but dogs, however, just like man, also have a | | | | necks do not splinter, neither does the |
| need for the nutrients contained in fat. | | | | brisket bone of any animal, so these are good |
| | | | to give the dog as they also provide gum and |
| The right amount of fat is necessary to | | | | teeth care when the dog gnaws on them. Dogs |
| promote good skin health and to carry | | | | have short digestive tracts and also they |
| fat-soluble vitamins. Fats are also essential | | | | have no saliva amylase, the enzyme that |
| to kidney function and reproductive health - | | | | humans have that is used to pre-digest |
| and they make food more tastier too. Too much | | | | starch. |
| fat will result of course in obesity and | | | | |
| lethargy. | | | | - Dog food supplements are unnecessary only |
| | | | if you are sure that your dog receives a |
| 3. Carbohydrates | | | | regular intake of complete and balanced food |
| | | | nutrients. Good sources of carbohydrates |
| Fifty percent of your dog's diet must consist | | | | include rice, corn, oatmeal, wheat. A highly |
| of carbohydrates, necessary for energy. Corn | | | | specialized nutrition diet is only necessary |
| and soybeans are two of the more popular | | | | if your dog does not have enough physical |
| sources of this nutrient. If this source is | | | | activity or is currently undergoing a |
| clean and of good nutritional quality then | | | | stressful routine change. |
| ensure you dog's diet contains at least 50% | | | | |
| of these. Other carbohydrates include cooked | | | | - Raw fish and eggs are forbidden in a dog's |
| rice and the dry cereals prepared | | | | diet. Consistent consumption of raw eggs |
| specifically for dogs. | | | | makes a dog's skin flaky as eggs lessen the |
| | | | biotin available in their body and the usual |
| 4. Vitamins and Minerals | | | | results are dermatitis and hair loss. Raw |
| | | | fish creates a thiamine-deficiency in a dog, |
| A dog needs an exact amount of vitamins and | | | | and its effects are loss of appetite, |
| minerals to be healthy, and although your dog | | | | abnormal posture, weakness and sometimes |
| may receive these nutrients from its general | | | | death. |
| food intake, vitamin supplements for your dog | | | | |
| should be considered. Today the formulated | | | | Feed your dog a healthy diet as outlined |
| commercial dog feeds also make it easier for | | | | above and he will have always a beautiful |
| owners to ensure their dogs receive good | | | | coat and give you many years of |
| nutrition. | | | | companionship. |
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