The Importance of your Dog Eating Right

Keeping your canine companion fed and healthy is the most important thing that any owner can do. Not only will they be members of the family for longer but they will be much happier as they live out their life. Making sure that your dog is eating the right nutrients and the proper amount is key to maintaining their health.

Keep that belly full to keep your dog happy!

Just like with humans, if dogs do not eat enough of the right nutrients they can suffer from deficiencies. If they eat too much they can become obese and suffer from all of the maladies that come with that. So, how do you determine if your dog is healthy and what the proper amount to feed them is?

If you dog is healthy and at the proper weight they will have an hourglass figure to them, that is their abdomen will be larger than their chest and hips when looked at from above. When looking at them from the side their chest should be closer to the ground than their belly. Their ribs should be able to be felt but should not be visible.

Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, so a good place to start is with your veterinarian. They can recommend what food they should eat and how often they should eat it. That food will have labels on it that will tell you how much of it should be given per day. Most adult dogs will eat two meals per day so you just simply need to divide the amount by two and you will know how much to put out. If you dog is active you may need to adjust by giving a bit more food and vice versa for a more inactive dog.

Dog food is a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. But not all dog foods are the same. For a proper mix of them the packaging will have a label that says something like “complete and balanced nutrition” or “meets nutritional requirements” on it. Both wet and dry food will have this labeling. Proteins will help develop stronger body tissues and your dog is not able to make all of the amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins. The rest come from their food. Fats give your dog energy and help with skin and hair health. Carbohydrates power your dog’s tissue and help to keep their intestines clean. Vitamins help to keep their bones strong and healthy.

Let us help you find the RIGHT food for your furry friend!

When mixed in the proper proportion your dog will not only eat right but will stay happy and healthy, meaning that they will be around for years to come. At Doggie Do-Little we stock a wide variety of dog food from some of the top manufacturers in the world so that you know your dog will eat right and get all of the essential nutrients that they need. Check it out when you bring your canine companion in for grooming.

References:

http://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/dr-coates/2015/july/are-you-feeding-your-dog-right-amount-32905
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-nutrition#1

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.” — Josh Billings