| With dogs, one of the hardest things to get right is | | | | of their face, and keep children away from a |
| finding and feeding the best dog food. It takes time | | | | dog-with-bone. Dogs warn off other dogs by biting at |
| to learn about dog food nutrition and adapt it for | | | | their face. This is ok for dogs since they have tough |
| your dog. There's no single diet that will suit every | | | | skin and fur, but a human face can't take that. |
| dog, or every lifestyle. | | | | Be easy on yourself and the dog with changing over |
| Just like your own best diet, it's good to start out | | | | to fresh food. If your dog is addicted to processed |
| with fresh food for dogs. | | | | food it could take some time to change their taste. |
| Dogs do well by eating raw animal protein like beef, | | | | Every second meal, mix some meat in with the other |
| chicken or whatever meat is easy to get where you | | | | food. Maybe you live where it's hard to get fresh |
| live. Remember that dogs are scavengers as well as | | | | food, or your budget can't stretch too far just now, |
| hunters, so food does not have to be as fresh as it | | | | so be happy to add a little fresh meat when you can. |
| does for you. They have stomach acid that deals | | | | Preservatives and additives in dry food or canned |
| with bacteria. Meat that's a little too old for you to | | | | food are not healthy for every meal, and the food |
| eat is usually fine for the dog. Dogs won't complain | | | | may be lacking in vitamins, minerals and fiber. As well, |
| about tough meat either. You can buy cheap cuts, | | | | labeling laws for pet foods are often less strict than |
| sale price, or pet grade meat, so long as it has no | | | | for human processed food. For those times when |
| preservatives. | | | | you need to use a processed food, look for real |
| In the wild, dogs eat whole animals, fur, feathers and | | | | meat (like chicken) listed as the main ingredient, and |
| all, so occasionally, odd things like chicken feet can be | | | | not an un-named byproduct. Dogs don't have the |
| added to a basic meat meal. And give your dog a | | | | enzymes to digest grain. |
| large raw bone every few days. As well as keeping | | | | We've covered just the basics here, without getting |
| their teeth clean, chewing on a bone and hiding it are | | | | into intricate topics, such as feeding vegetarian dog |
| fun things to do when you're not around. | | | | food or choosing a dog vitamin supplement. Your |
| If you're new to dogs, understand they get very | | | | task this week is to locate some fresh food near |
| possessive with a bone. Don't try to take the bone | | | | you, then convince your dog to eat it. Love your |
| away while they're near it. Keep your face well clear | | | | dog! |