Like humans, dogs also need their daily dose of nutrients to live a healthy life. Food supports the basic functions of the body, and too much or too less of it can either make the dog obese or malnutrition – and I’m sure, you don’t want either.
Thus, as the pet owner and caregiver, it’s your responsibility to oversee your dog’s diet plans and routines, so that your pet is healthy and happy.
If you’re new to this, you can seek help from the animal center you adopted your dog from, or visit a vet. But if you’re confident that a few tips can help you, here are a few I’ve compiled for you. If you follow them all diligently, you’re sure to pick the best for your furry friend!
1. Taste preferences
Even if you’re planning the diet chart according to your dog’s health, you can’t sideline its tastes.
If you try to feed them something that they don’t like, then soon the dog will stop eating, and thus, it will be a waste of time and effort. So, make sure to choose a dog food that complies with their preferences.
For example, if your dog loves beef, then choose a dog food with beef in it. This way, you are not only adhering to your dog’s diet, but you’re also providing your dog with the food that they will savor.
2. Your dog’s age
Before you go shopping for dog food, another important aspect you should keep in mind is the age of your dog. Like humans, dogs also need different types of foods, depending upon their age as the body functions like metabolism and digestion are different for different ages in dogs.
For instance, as a puppy of 8 to 12 months of age, the dog will need foods containing more proteins, starch and carbohydrates. They are in their growth phase, and they need lots of protein for healthy growth.
But the grownup dogs, that is, the adult dogs should be given a lower amount of carbohydrates and proteins as they can easily become overweight.
3. Nutritional content
While buying food for your dog, the most important aspect you should keep in mind is the amount of nutrition the food will provide to your dog.
I would recommend you stick to your regular dog food. Experimenting with dog food puts your dog’s health at risk, and who knows, they might actually fall sick. It is always advised to follow a healthy and balanced diet plan that contains the perfect amounts of all the necessary nutrients, that is, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and so on.
If you’re still confused about their diet, then take help from a vet and take their advice into consideration. Further, you can also explore dog supplies at PetStock or similar dog stores, to pick the best of the lot.
4. Allergens
If your pet dog already suffers from allergic reactions, redness, and itchy skin, then you should take extra care whenever you’re choosing their dog food.
A balanced and nutritious diet can help your dog build up a solid autoimmune response system, which can effectively help him to fight against diseases.
To do this perfectly, take your pet to the veterinarian and make a list of all the foods and edibles they are allergic to. This will give you a clear idea of what you can feed your dogs, and what you must avoid.
5. Vet Consultation
If you’ve any kind of doubt or confusion regarding your dog’s diet, then never hesitate to contact your vet. They are experts and can often provide you with the exact information you need.
So, if the vet refuses you to buy a certain type of pet food, then abide by their advice. I’m sure there’s a reason for their disapproval.
Over to you…
So, these are the few things you must keep in mind whenever you buy dog food. This will help you to maintain a healthy diet for your dog and prevent them from most kinds of illnesses.
