Jul
30
Do you occasionally give your best friend a treat from the table or a rawhide to chew? These treats may seem like a simple snack or tidbit, but they really can add up. You may not have considered it before, but any and all treats that you give your pet are a part of your dog’s diet. The question now becomes, how significant are treats in your dog’s diet? Do you give your dog a treat once a day in the evening while watching television, or do you scatter Milk Bones throughout the day for each cute look or adorable pet trick?
Rawhides are an area of controversy. Some pet owners and vets feel they do not make a good treat for your pet. Others feel that rawhides provide entertainment and good dental health for your dog. Find out what your vet recommends. If you decide to allow rawhides in your dog’s diet, avoid them in excess. They can create thin stools and provide many empty calories.
The Importance of a Feeding Schedule in Your Dog’s Diet
Just as important as what your dog eats, is when you feed your dog. Similar to humans, your dog needs to eat regularly. Nutritious meals and snacks should be monitored as part of your dog’s diet. Spacing out mealtimes and snacks or treats on a feeding schedule is a good idea.
Puppies require more mealtimes throughout the course of the day. Nursing pups should be permitted to nurse on demand. As you alter your puppy dog’s diet from milk to dog food, you will need to offer food four or five times per day. Once the puppy has become weaned and used to the new diet, you may reduce the feeding times to three occasions during the day.
Probably when you think of your dog’s diet, you consider what food he consumes, but remember when you present your dog’s diet is just as important. A dog will come to expect his daily feeding schedule and routine.
Take control over your pet’s health by making your dog’s diet at home. Avoid processed food that is not as healthy for your pet. Many natural diet options are out there. Speak to your vet about which natural dog diet is best for you and your pet. When the quality of your pet’s health is important, a natural diet for your dog is the best way to go.
Some Proper Ways to Switch Your Dog’s Diet
Many reasons exist that may cause you to feel the need to switch your dog’s diet. A puppy, for example, must change from milk during nursing to dog food. Your adult dog may need to transition to a dog food diet specifically designed for senior dogs. Health reasons may be yet another cause for a switch.
The proper way to switch your dog’s diet takes several days. Over the course of two weeks, gradually reduce the amount of the original diet and slowly increase the food for the new diet. For example, if you typically feed your pet a diet of 3 and 1/2 cups of kibble per day, you will only want to change the diet at the rate of 1/4 cup each day. Keep in mind if you feed your dog’s diet twice daily, divide the amount in half at each feeding.
This gradual process may seem slow at first, but be assured, it is for the best. A dog’s diet is not like a human’s diet. People vary their diet on a daily basis. Sometimes we stir things up from meal to meal. Your dog’s diet is best when it is consistent. Do not change brands or feeding methods frequently.
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