How To Craft A Healthy Diet Plan For Your Dog

Most pet owners will at some point ask what types of food they should give their dogs and how they can provide them with a healthy and nutritious diet. Unlike humans, dogs are so sensitive when it comes to food. There are many food items that humans eat, but that dogs cannot. So it’s essential to know which food options are good, and which options are bad for them.

Actually, it’s not easy to prepare a healthy diet that your dog will love to eat at the same time. Also, you have to consider some foundational factors to formulate a healthy and nutritious meal, such as:

— Your dog’s size
— Your dog’s daily activities
— Your dog’s nutrient demands
— Your dog’s allergies, if there are any

Furthermore, a balanced and high-quality diet is crucial to your dog’s wellbeing. And most importantly, there’s no set formula applicable for every dog because every man’s best friend is unique and has their own unique needs.

Below is a complete guide on how to provide a healthy and balanced diet plan for your dog. Read on!

How Is Commercial Dog Food Good For Your Dogs?

Commercial dog food is an all-in-one treat for your dogs designed to meet their daily nutritional requirements. These products include vegetables, meat, grains, fruit, and vitamins. There are some good commercial dog foods are safe and nutritious options for your pets. Be sure to choose the right food from an honest company.

You also have to pick what’s right for your dog’s size and breed. Some foods are made for puppies, and some are made for adult dogs. You shouldn’t feed them with foods not appropriate for your dog’s breed requirements as this could result in problems due to lack of nutrients.

For more valuable information about dogs and the most suitable type of dog food for each one of them, you may check out this site.

How Much Should You Feed Your Dogs?

According to experts, puppies aged six months and below should eat three to four times a day. If they reach six months old, feeding should be adjusted to twice per day. For adult dogs, they should be fed at least one to two times per day, but this depends on their daily activities.

For example, if your dog is athletic and engages in rigorous and intense activities, he should be fed two times per day. If you’re not sure about this, it might be wise to ask your vet to know what’s best for them. This goes the same for the amount you put on their bowl, and you can start by checking the food maker’s feeding guide at the back of the packaging. And again, if you’re in doubt you can always ask your vet.

Wet Food Or Dry Food?

According to some experts, you should feed your dog wet food, such as canned dog food, because it’s healthier and contains higher amounts of protein and other nutrients compared to dry food, such as kibbles.

Can Your Dog Be A Vegetarian?

Since not all vegetables can be eaten by dogs because of reactions that may lead to various organ failures, it’ll take a lot of time and effort to make your dog vegetarian.

Vegetables lack protein, one of the essential macronutrients your dog needs to be healthy. So, if you’re going to make them a vegetarian, you should look for non-meat protein sources that they would like, such as tofu, but make sure they’re fully cooked.

Also, take an expert’s advice from your personal vet to ensure that your dog is still getting all the nutrients she needs.

How Much Water Is Enough?

According to experts, your dog should drink at least one ounce of water daily for each pound they weigh. To make sure they’re drinking enough, note the level of the bowl and check the water level the next day.

Also, make sure to refill and clean the bowl every day. This is to ensure that your dog’s water is always fresh. Moreover, you can add ice to their water during summer to refresh and calm them down when the heat is intense.

What About Table Scraps?

As much as possible, never feed your dog with food scraps because some of the food ingredients aren’t good for dogs, especially when they contain onions and garlic. Also, your food may contain a lot of fats, chicken bones, chocolate, moldy foods, a high amount of salt, or raw meat.

Final Words

If you have a dog, then you’re probably thinking of going to the vet right now. That’s actually the best idea to ensure your dog’s safety, as it’s hard to create a healthy and balanced meal on your own without putting their health at risk. So don’t hesitate to ask experts for help and additional advice.