Dog Nutrition – 4 Common Questions about Dog Diets

One big issue when it comes to taking care of your dog is figuring out what to feed it. People have many questions about the right diet for their dogs and often have a difficult time choosing which type of dog food to get. This is an important decision to make, as giving them the right type of food will help keep illnesses away, such as arthritis, diabetes, and degenerative myelopathy. Below are commonly asked questions about dog nutrition and what pet owners should know about their dog’s diet.

Should I give my dogs a diet that matches their age?

It’s important that you give your dog the right food for its age. Puppies and young dogs will need a lot of protein, while mature and older dogs need less since they have a hard time metabolizing it. Fortunately, many dog food brands offer products designed for the different stages of a dog’s life, making it easy to know what to buy for your dog.

Will raw meat for dog food work?
Many breeders recommend raw meat combined with bones, which experts is better for the overall health of dogs. However, you need to be careful with this. In the wild, wild dogs hunt down animals and eat raw meat but the meat we are serving our pets may have undergone processing and exposure to different. Salmonella and E. Coli bacteria could be present in the meat and could cause your dog to get sick. If you are planning to give your pet an all meat diet, half-cooked meat is preferred.

How do you help dogs lose weight?

An overweight dog is prone to illnesses such as diabetes, heart problems and can even trigger genetic illnesses such as degenerative myelopathy. Older dogs typically have a harder time losing weight because of their metabolism rate that’s naturally getting slower. Talk to your veterinarian and ask if he, or she, can prescribe you dog with a special diet and exercise routine.

Should we depend on pet food alone or give our dogs supplements?

This depends on what you feed your dog. If you are preparing the food on your own then it’s best to give them some kind of food supplement. However, if you are giving them processed dog food, food supplements won’t be needed. Processed dog food food should already contain all the nutrients your pet needs.

 

The thing with China-made Doggy Treats

An MSNBC report warns dog owners of the dangers of China-made Jerky Treats for dogs, given that a number of complaints and food poisoning cases have been linked with them. Based on the report, nearly 1,000 dogs have already been badly affected by them, and caution should be exercised in their purchase and use as doggy treats.

These reports are taken from the combined accounts of pet owners and vets, and as they are piling up, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to push its investigations over the safety and quality of China-made doggy treats which has been ongoing for some time now.

The FDA is reported to have sent an investigation team to China this year, prompted when concerns over the quality of the product raised a lot of questions in November 2011. So far, no incriminating evidence has been discovered, given that the products are linked to be the causes of various doggy ailments, including a canine’s uncontrollable vomiting, unexplainable diarrhea, kidney failure and even death.

With no actual concrete findings, the FDA is left to issue warnings to dog owners and veterinarians, telling them to avoid the purchase of China-made Jerky Treats, such as those offered by the Canyon Creek Ranch and Waggin’ Train brands which are produced by Nestle Purina PetCare Co, and the Del Monte Corporation produced Milo’s Kitchen Home-Style Dog Treats.

With investigations currently ongoing, it is difficult to say if the abovementioned brands are actually not safe for dog consumption, but given the increasing number of cases related to them, staying clear from their use would be best for dogs and dog owners until more facts and details turn up.

Pet Care – Choosing Dog Food

Picking out the right dog food is one responsibility that many dog owners take for granted. One needs to remember that like humans, different dogs have different diet needs. While some are fine with giving their dogs with table scraps, it’s still best to provide them dog food since it suits them better. Table scraps might also not have enough nutrients and constantly feeding the dog bones might damage their stomach. Below are a few tips to consider when choosing dog food for your four legged friend.

Price

Some dog food brands are a little more expensive than others, but this does not really tell you much about nutrition. It does not mean that the more expensive the dog food is, the better it is for your dogs. There are ways to cut cost when buying dog food. For starters, get dog food in bulks. Many dog food brands offer their products in sacks that can last a pretty long time. You can also check out whole sale stores which usually sells their items for less. Some dog owners would buy meet and cook it till rare and feed these to their dogs. This is relatively cheaper and dogs enjoy this more.

Type of dog

Bigger dogs need dog food that’s more inclined to keeping their muscles and bones strong. There are some brands that offer specific dog food blends for certain dog breeds. Also, keep in mind food that could cause allergies to certain types of dogs. Dogs love to eat meat and it’s a good source of protein. Some dogs might be better off with lamb then beef. Consult your vet about the best type of meat for your dog’s breed.

Health
Dogs that are sick might need a diet change. Illnesses like DM in dogs, arthritis and joint pains might require smaller servings that still contain the proper nutrients. These illnesses, especially DM in dogs, will cause dogs to have trouble standing up and moving around so their weight and diet have to be monitored carefully. You also need to watch the content of the dog food. Some dogs, especially bigger dogs, might need more calcium to keep their bones strong. A good way to boost up vitamins and minerals that you dog needs is to give them food supplements. These can be easily mixed into their food and can be found in most pet supply shops.

Homemade Dog Food

In the fight between Manufactured VS Homemade Dog Food, dog owners are torn, confused and left in-between in deciding which is best for man’s best friend.

Given that healthy nutritional meals are as important as well-rounded exercise and regular check ups for any dog, a responsible dog owner would opt for the best ways and the best of available dog consumables which ensure that his/her dog gets to lead the fullest life possible.

But the cost increase of manufactured dog food has left that resolve in many dog owners in question, with many seeking alternatives, essentially tipping the battle towards the “homemade dog food’s” side, not that it’s a bad thing.

If you’re exploring the area of making your own dog food for the pooch, here are some points worth considering.

The Time Aspect – making your own dog food eats your time. In a sense, the popularity of manufactured dog food hails from this reality, and as such, if you intend to make your own dog food, you’ll have to consider if you have the time to do so, then set appropriate schedules to suit.

What Dogs Would Eat – there’s an ongoing misconception that dogs only eat meat, with bones as preferred nibble treats. Though this is true as a “dog’s preferred set menu”, this doesn’t mean that meat and bones are the only things with dogs consume. A vegetarian diet is possible for dogs, as well as a fish and meat diet. Chicken and vegetable meals are also acceptable, with many variations combining corn, vegetables and various meat-based table scraps often applied as homemade dog food items.

At most, dog owners could set a weekend or a day off to prepare homemade dog food items, then store them in sealable containers. It’s a smart move, and the results are no different (if not better) compared to getting manufactured dog food.

What Dogs Shouldn’t Eat – as there are items which dogs can eat, there are also items which dogs shouldn’t eat. Chocolate would be at the top of that list, along with grapes and raisins. Macadamia Nuts and Milk-based products should also be checked, since a number of dogs don’t really respond well with them. Getting a firm grasp over a dog’s allergies would also be helpful, since some dogs don’t respond well with shellfish.

Give making your own homemade dog food a go. As taking care of your do is a lifelong responsibility, it’ll surely pay off, especially in the area of cost for dog food.