When it comes to dog ownership, there are a lot of responsibilities that we need to take care of. Things like properly feeding your dog, grooming them and making sure they get enough exercise are regular things. However, out of all the tasks we have to perform in order to look after our dog, one of the most important things that we neglect or don’t think too much about is feeding.
Most dog owners simply get a can of the cheapest dog food they can and place it in a bowl for their dog. They don’t care much about what kind of food they’re feeding their dog, they don’t worry about the treats they’re feeding them and generally just neglect the nutritional value of proper dog food. Much like in humans, this carelessness often leads to the dog becoming overweight, unhealthy and will eventually develop long-term problems. Certain breeds also require certain foods, such as bulldog food which is specifically designed for that breed of dog. It’s important that you take proper care of your dog no matter what breed, size or age they are, and food is one of the major components that will keep them healthy.
To avoid this, we all need to take a good look at what we feed our dogs and prepare their food properly. We need to take their nutritional needs into consideration and consult feeding guides in order to provide our dogs with the best healthcare and diet possible.
If you don’t look after your own health, you can’t look after your dog
Things like measuring nutritional values and caloric intake come naturally to healthy people that care about their diets. Unfortunately, if you’re not used to doing that for yourself then you definitely won’t be ready to count calories for your dog. Make sure you’re taking proper care of your own health before you invest in a dog—it’ll make it ten times easier.
There isn’t much difference between wet and dry food
There are some slight advantages, such as dry food being more nutritionally packed and wet food being better for a dog that doesn’t drink much water, but in terms of nutritional content, it really depends on the brand. As long as the food you buy is affordable and contains all the nutrition that your dog needs, you shouldn’t worry about anything else unless your dog has a personal preference, so try both and see what your dog prefers.
Too many treats can be a bad thing
Dog owners usually use dog treats as a way to train and praise their dog, but it’s important that you don’t feed them too many treats at once. A good rule of thumb is to have the treats make up 5-15% of your dog’s recommended caloric intake. This varies depending on the weight of your dog, so make sure you count the number of calories your dog is taking in and cutting back when necessary.
The possibility of dehydration
If your dog is showing some symptoms of dehydration, such as acting depressed or refusing to eat, then it might be a sign that your dog is dehydrated. This would be a good time to switch to wet food if possible, but make sure your dog is actually drinking from their bowl. If you aren’t already, make sure you clean your dog’s feeding bowls each day and refresh the water every couple of hours to ensure your dog has a fresh supply that isn’t floating with bacteria.