As a blog that specialises in pet insurance, we can safely guess that a large majority of our readers have a pet dog, cat or rabbit and want to take the best possible care for them at all times. Right?
So to ensure this is possible (and that pet insurance policies are used as little as possible) we are going to write a couple of fact files, covering the care basics that can help ensure your pet stays as healthy as possible - starting with food for dogs!
Nutrition for Dogs - a Guide
These are the basic requirements of your canine friend:
Dogs need fed twice a day and the type of diet they will require depends on their age - puppies, adults and senior dogs need slightly tailored meals to match their stage in life. Dog food packets should specify which age group the meal is intended for, and how much to feed at a time.
Daily Feeding
Some people feed their dogs as they would any other member of the family, but it is important to remember that your dog has a very different digestion system to you and needs a specially balanced diet.
Dry 'complete meals' are widely available at pet shops and these can provide dogs with all the nutrition they need as they are carefully produced to do so. Some people find that dogs find this type of meal too boring, so if this is the case a small amount of tinned dog food may help their pet enjoy it more. You should avoid adding ordinary meat and poultry to your dogs dry meal as this can upset their stomach.
Fresh water should always be available for your dog.
Foods to Be Avoided
Chocolate should never be fed to a dog as it contains a chemical known as theobromine, which they cannot digest. If your dog ever does eat chocolate it is wise to contact your vet immediately.
Although dogs will enjoy chewing bones, you should not give them any as they can break bits off that may become lodged in the throat or digestive system, causing serious health problems. Chewing, however, can help their teeth and overall digestion so safe plastic chew toys should be purchased at your local pet store to give to your dog.
Feel free to join the discussion on dog nutrition in the comments.
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