Eating habits can be difficult to break. Dogs have a shorter lifespan than humans, so they deserve the best when they are with you. They want to make sure that their health stays in tip top shape at all times. So by making some dietary changes you can reduce your risk of illness or other harmful side effects of poor diet. While it may take your dog some time to get used to their new feeding plan, you can slowly make changes that will result in their tail wagging all the time.
1. Know how much to feed your dog
The first thing you should focus on when making changes to your dog’s diet is to make sure he is still eating the recommended amount. Not feeding your dog enough food can lead to nutritional deficiencies, but feeding too much can also be harmful.
Feed your dog more than he is supposed to get shorten its lifespan and lead to some cancers. Obesity isn’t the only risk to a dog who overeat on a regular basis. For the sake of your furry friend, make sure he eats well.
Finding your dog’s ideal calorie intake can take some work. The “right” amount of food for your dog can change depending on the weight and number of meals he eats. If you’re still not sure how much to eat each day, contact your veterinarian to discuss your pet’s special needs.
2. Don’t just focus on protein
Protein is necessary, especially for active dogs that are muscular. However, your dog doesn’t need all of the protein in their diet: they shouldn’t be consuming more than 25% protein per day. Puppies need a little more as they’re still growing, but your adult dog should be satisfied with only a quarter of their crude protein meal.
Dogs can digest plant matter, and although they are descended from wolves, they need other food. Focus on the other parts of a balanced diet to make sure your dog is getting all of the nutrients he needs from his meals. Many dogs can get their recommended amount of protein from dry food that contains meat and bone meal. Adding useful amino acids to their daily consumption.
3. Work up a sweat
You may be wondering why your dog isn’t eating a lot. It could be that he has a slower metabolism and doesn’t get hungry as quickly. If you want to make sure your dog is happy with every meal, take him for a walk – or hike if the two of you are adventurous.
Much like people get hungry after a satisfactory exercise, your dog is more likely to want to eat after having had decent exercise. Exercising regularly can boost his metabolism and encourage him to be more active. It could also simulate “going hunting” so that he has a more satisfying dinner when he gets home.
4. Analyze your dog’s allergies
While dogs may not get an allergy test like humans, they can still react to certain foods. Not all dogs have allergies, and some are more common than others. You should pay attention to the ingredients in the croquettes you are feeding your dog and watch out for any problems. Surprisingly, most of them allergic reactions result from animal proteins, no grain.
Some of the most well-known dog allergies are the following:
- Chicken, beef and dairy products
- Specific grains and even gluten
- Vegetables like carrots or potatoes
Many allergies can cause gastrointestinal discomfort or excessive itching. Pay attention to the signs in your dog and adjust its food if you notice it becomes a problem.
5. Bring fresh food into your dog’s diet
If you want to step away from dry food and try to add healthy foods to your dog’s diet, go for “human food” that you know is not allergic and that will add nutrients to his diet instead of becoming harmful . To find the right ingredients for your puppy’s food, you also need to analyze which items are prohibited or poisonous for dogs.
You can always add complementary foods to your dog’s dry food, or do some research and put together a new meal made with only ingredients that you would feed yourself. If you choose the latter, keep in mind that bland is best for the dog food.
Some of the most common foods that give dogs a nutritional boost include:
- Eggs: full of vitamins and minerals that can improve your dog’s coat
- Pumpkin: a fiber that can aid your pup’s digestion
- Broth: provides much-needed hydration for active dogs
- Vegetables: can increase the nutritional value of pureeing
Make sure to do your research to see which foods will best suit your dog’s lifestyle. She’ll surely love a human snack every now and then.
6. Look for anti-inflammatory ingredients
If you want to add “human food” to your dog’s diet, make sure he can fight for his health. As with humans, flammable foods can cause a wide variety of damage. In addition to aging prematurely, feeding your dog certain items can increase his or her risk of developing pancreatitis or arthritis.
Some dog foods may not contain anti-inflammatory ingredients. If you don’t want to add human food to your pup, you can still support him by doing with spices and spices this can bring him several advantages.
Not all condiments are safe for dogs, but here are some with anti-inflammatory properties that you can easily sprinkle on your pup’s dinner:
- Cinammon: which can also help bad breath
- Ginger: which can help with attacks of Nausea
- Turmeric: that can reduce the effects of existing arthritis
Don’t use too much seasoning on your dog’s food, but if you add a little every now and then to get him used to the taste, he should have many benefits. You can add foods like coconut and blueberries in moderation. Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your puppy’s diet.
7. Limit the number of goodies you give
Just like humans, dogs shouldn’t eat sweet treats all the time. Training rewards or low-calorie items may be fed more frequently, but be careful of how many larger or high-calorie treats you give your dog in addition to regular food.
If you’re someone who loves giving your dog treats for almost anything – who could blame you? – Consider replacing high-calorie options with healthy products for as long as your pup likes them. Many dogs love carrots as a tasty snack, but green peas or watermelon are good choices too.
Prepare for a healthier, longer life with your dog
If you eat healthy, your dog deserves it too. While you don’t have to immediately replace all of your puppy’s dry food with healthy foods from your kitchen, you can make small changes to complement the food he gets from a bowl of dry food. The longer she stays healthy, the more adventures you can experience together that will create lasting memories.
Thank You For Reading!
Reference: thecompleteherbalguide.com
