4/20/2023 0 Comments Healthy food for dogsNo matter what kind of water and food bowls you use, wash them daily to prevent the buildup of dangerous bacteria. Talk to your vet to develop a safe puppy feeding schedule. Puppies need more frequent meals to fuel their growing bodies, so plan to feed your puppy three or more times daily, depending on their breed and size. Most veterinarians recommend feeding adult dogs twice a day. This tactic can also aid housetraining, because you can take your dog outside consistently every day after meals. Feed your dog on a consistent scheduleįeed your dog at roughly the same time every day to provide them with a consistent schedule. Dogs should increase their intake by about 10% during the summer months. An easy rule of thumb to follow is that dogs should drink about 1 ounce of water for each pound of body weight every day. Make sure your dog always has access to clean, fresh water. By selecting an AAFCO-approved food, you can feel confident that your dog is receiving the proper nutrition. When dogs don’t receive adequate nutrition from their food, they can suffer from debilitating and even fatal health conditions. This seal verifies that pet food has met rigorous predetermined nutrient requirements and provides a complete and balanced meal. To find a healthy dog food that includes all of the necessary nutrients, look for the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) label. A balanced diet includes carbohydrates, fats, minerals, proteins, and vitamins. While simply home-cooking meat and vegetables can be tempting, the nutritional requirements for dogs are complex and require expert knowledge. Choose a balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards ![]() The Merck Veterinary Manual calories calculator can also help you figure out an appropriate number of daily calories for your dog. How much should you feed your dog to keep them at an ideal body weight? The right portion size depends on several factors, including:Ĭonsult your veterinarian to determine the correct portion of food for your dog. They also tend to have a lower risk of significant health conditions, including: Dogs with an ideal body condition typically have more energy and endurance to engage in physical activity. A fit body can extend life expectancy by two years and help them stay healthier for longer. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight will benefit them physically and mentally. Dogs in these categories have defined abdominal tucks and waists, easily palpable ribs, and minimal body fat. A dog should ideally score a four or five (out of nine) on the BCS chart. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association provides a free Body Condition Score Chart that you can use to evaluate your dog’s fitness. ![]() Maintain a healthy body condition scoreĪim to maintain a healthy body condition score (BCS) when feeding your dog. These statistics suggest a dangerous disconnect between pet owner perceptions and the realities of dog health. However, only 39% of dog owners view their pets as overweight. ![]() ![]() In 2021, a survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that over 50% of dogs are overweight or obese. Feed your dog the right portion sizeĭogs, like humans, quickly gain excessive weight if fed incorrect portions. Here are a few basic guidelines that will help you tell the difference between healthy vs. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know what food choices are healthy for dogs and which ones aren’t.įollowing these veterinarian-reviewed tips can help you maintain your dog’s healthy diet. Some pet owners even choose to feed their dogs a home-cooked diet. You can purchase canned food, traditional kibble, or pre-made raw meals. Visit any pet store or online pet food retailer, and you will find an enormous selection of available dog foods.
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