How To Keep Fido Healthy With Healthy Dog Food
It is a wonder how we can over look the health of man’s best friend while we are so concerned with our own. Our pets are important members of our family and deserve the benifit of a healthy diet, just as we do. This article will provide you with the best tips on how to provide Fido with a healthy and nutrional diet.
One way to find a healthy dog food is to check the lable. The best food option for your dog will be one that contains close to 40% vegetable, 40% meat, and between 10% and 20% whole grains or complex carbohydrates. These percentages and others can be found on the lable. The percentages do not have to be exact, however they should break down into percentages close to these.
Deciding whether or not your dog food ingredients are healthy is very simple. The top ingredient on the lable should be a meat protien. If the lable describes a meat by-product the product does not have as much nutritional value. The same is true for \”fillers\”. These items do not have a great nutrional value. Things like rice and oats (grains) are good any where on the lable except the top.
You may want to consider an organic dog food. These foods will include similar ingredients as those describe above, but they will have been raised and processed without dangerous chemicals, such as pesticides or carcinogenic preservatives. The manufacturer of an organic dog food is also often more humane to the chickens, cattle, and sheep that are used in the making of the food.
All dogs have special dietary needs. Your veterinarian will be able to provide you with the best information on what blends of protiens, carbs., and fats your Fido needs. They can also let you know if Fido has any special vitimin or mineral needs. Follow your veterinanry’s advice on the best food for your dog.
Once you determine if your dog needs to switch to a healthier food, make the transition slowly. Your dog may have a hard time ajusting to the change. To help Fido in his transition, add the new dog food to the old dog food over a week or two, increasing the proportion of new food to old food daily. It is easier for Fido’s digestive system to gradually swith. If your dog does not respond well to the change, stop where you are and give him time to adjust. Once he seems to have adjusted fully, continue the process until the old food is completly removed from his diet. This type of gradual transition will also help Fido accept the change easier.
There are also ways to make your own healthy dog food. The process of making the food takes more time than buying it, but it is not at all hard. The Internet as well as books can offer great recipes and ideas. Another great benifit to home made dog food is that it is very economical. Of course, you should always consult your veterinanry before feeding your homemade food to Fido to ensure helth as well as saftey.
Finally, expect to see results, but not instantly. Results of a healthier diet will increase over weeks and months. Keep in mind that an older dog may need additional care and time before results become noticable. Even when the results are not appearant, providing your dog with a healthy diet will improve their quality of life.
