Pet care

Feeding your dog is one of the things that you must do in order to properly care for him. Most people know they need to feed their dog, but they may not know exactly what they should be feeding them. Feeding a dog used to be simple when there was only a couple chooses at the supermarket. Today, though, the dog food aisle has so many choices it can be overwhelming to try to figure out what food is the best. Diet guidelines for dogs are actually quite simple. If you know the basic needs and follow your veterinarian recommendations then you should be able to take the mystery out of feeding your dog.

General Guidelines

The general guidelines for a proper diet are a good balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates. This can vary based upon your dog's age and size. Protein requirements can range from 2 to 25%. Fat requirements range from 20 to 30% and carbohydrate requirements range from 40 to 60%. Some dogs may need to have extra vitamins and minerals in addition to these basic requirements. Many packaged dog foods have the typical required vitamins and minerals already in them.

They Eat Anything

Most dogs are not picky about what they eat. They will eat practically anything that they are given or that they get a hold of. This often means that they eat things that could be harmful to them or just good for them. It is your job, as their owner, to ensure that your dog is getting a proper diet and that he is not getting foods that could harm him.

You should be very careful with table scraps. Feeding your dog the same foods that you eat could lead to obesity since the fat content is likely higher than what your dog should be getting. Also, feeding your dog human food only makes for trouble as it can lead to begging and digging through the trash to get more of the tasty morsels.

Talk to your Vet

The best way to determine exactly what your dog should be eating is to talk to your vet. The vet will be able to suggest the right food to feed your dog and he can give you additional vitamins or minerals that your dog may need. Seeing the vet regularly can help ensure that you are feeding your dog the proper amounts and type of food. It will also help you to keep your dog from becoming obese, which can lead to many health problems later in his life.

Most people buy dog food from the store. This food is usually made to the general standards. You will see different foods for puppies and older dogs, since their dietary needs differ from an adult dog. If you buy food at the store then you should get the proper food based on your dog's age. You may want to take it to your vet to be sure it is adequate for your dog's needs. Usually there is no need to buy special food or expensive brands. Even the bargain brands are usually made to the right dietary standards and will be fine for your dog to eat.

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