| Just like humans, dogs need to eat a properly | | | | good teeth much the same as a mother would do |
| balanced diet including the 6 basic nutrients needed to | | | | with a baby. Older dogs, for example, will not need a |
| give your dog optimum health. These nutrients are | | | | high energy food, but still need correct nutrients to |
| fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, proteins and | | | | help them along in old age. |
| water. Providing these essential ingredients as part of | | | | If you are using canned food, always refrigerate |
| your dog food nutrition will promote healthy growth, | | | | after opening so it doesn't spoil and remove all |
| energy, replace worn tissue and help fight off any | | | | uneaten canned or moistened food from the feeding |
| diseases. | | | | dish after your dog has eaten. Always wash and dry |
| Choosing a nutritionally balanced complete dog food | | | | the dish afterwards as leaving a dirty dish will not |
| should give your dog all the required nutrients he | | | | only attract harmful germs, it can also cause infection |
| needs, but picking one that is balanced can be a | | | | in your dog. Remember to provide clean fresh |
| challenge. If you read the label on commercial dog | | | | drinking water for your dog, ensuring all of their |
| food and it reads as 100% complete, this should be | | | | nutritional needs are met. |
| suitable as it contains all of the nutrients required in | | | | All the six basic nutrients are essential for your dog's |
| proper proportions, however you may want to | | | | body cells to function properly; nutrients need to be |
| double check the ingredients to make sure as you | | | | in the correct balanced proportion. This helps with |
| can't be too careful when it comes to feeding your | | | | necessary chemical reactions of digestion, absorption, |
| four legged friend. | | | | transportation and elimination to occur. These all help |
| Manufacturers always list the ingredients and | | | | to eliminate any chances of liver or kidney failure |
| nutritional content on the package as well as give | | | | later in life. |
| recommended guidelines for the amounts of food to | | | | Nutrients are your dog's fuel and converts into |
| feed your dog. This guideline will depend on size, | | | | energy; this produces heat and with proper feeding, |
| weight and in some cases, the breed of dog. Having | | | | this determines your dog's ability to control his body |
| said that, if you have a dog of mixed breeding, you | | | | temperature critical to a healthy life. All your dog |
| can go by size, weight and age. If ever in doubt, | | | | does from playing, working, running to living a long |
| consult your vet for advice. | | | | and healthy life is determined by the fuel you have |
| Anyone who has taken a trip to the pet food aisle in | | | | provided and the energy it produces. |
| the grocery store knows that there many different | | | | The proper dog food nutrition is key to the health of |
| foods on the market today giving you many options | | | | your dog so when choosing a food for your dog, |
| in dog food nutrition. If you have decided to stick to | | | | choose carefully. There are three forms of |
| dry food and have checked the label for the | | | | commercial dog food. Canned food contains as much |
| nutritional content, there are a few other steps to | | | | as 68%-78% water and includes color enhancers. |
| consider. For one thing your dog's age has to be | | | | Semi-moist contains color enhancers and lots of |
| considered because puppies and seniors will not thrive | | | | sugar. Both these types of food should not be given |
| on the same food. For anther thing, your dogs | | | | to your dog as his total diet. Dry foods are a blended |
| weight needs to be consider since an overweight dog | | | | mixture of grains, meat, meat by-products, fats, |
| might need a special diet or type of food. | | | | mineral and vitamins and average of 90% dry matter |
| Puppies, young adults, and older dogs all have | | | | and 10% water. Choosing dry food will give your dog |
| different nutritional needs; puppies require the correct | | | | less tartar build up and less gum disease. |
| nutrients to ensure healthy bones, a shiny coat, and | | | | |