Home And Gardens Advice

Good health is vital for getting good results when training your dog. The basis for good health is good dog food.

It depends on the money you can spend whether you can give your dog fresh meat. However I believe it is essential you invest in a good dry food brand. When you look for a good brand this is what you should keep in mind…

All dog foods are labeled with the ingredients in order by proportion. That is, the ingredient with largest percentage is listed first, followed by the second and subsequently the rest of the ingredients.

What you should avoid for your dog are By-Products Meals. Manufacturers love them because they’re cheap proteins. Whenever you find By-products on the label look for another brand, especially when it is high on the list. If it is at the end of the list and you find real meat products on top your save to use that brand.

By by products we mean those parts of the animal that are not intended for human consumption. By products are perfectly legal in dog food, but are low quality proteins and in the long run have a negative effect on the general health, skin and coat conditions of your dog.

Just as one indicator, dogs with healthy coats (particularly, long-haired breeds) will look shinier and shed less. Assuming proper bathing and brushing habits, of course.

Some experts believe that the proper ratio of meat, vegetables and starch should be around 40%, 30%, 30% respectively.

Common meats used are chicken, lamb and beef. These provide readily digestible sources of protein - essential to healthy coats, muscles, etc.

The vegetables contain vitamins and minerals that produce hormones and enzymes, which is important for strong bones among others. For example carrots and squash are extremely good vegetables for dogs.

The starch content is often provided by brown or white rice. Either one is an excellent source of carbohydrates. These compounds are broken down in the body and form the basis for energy and cell repair.

Just like humans, some dogs have special diet needs. For example Golden Retrievers are sensitive to wheat products. And in general corn is the worst cereal you can find in a diet, because it is so hard to digest for dogs.

Look for these on the label and discuss with your vet whether it’s necessary to avoid them. Some indicators for poor quality feed are soft stools, excessive scratching and frequent gas.

Some dogs refuse dry food. You can try to mix it with some water and heat it up 30 secs in the microwave. You can also add some gravy to the food. Some people think that dry food help to clean their teeth.

Don’t overdo it with the treats. The high fat content in treats can make your dog overweight. Manufacturers add fat to the treats, because your dog loves it. If you are training your dog and you give him more than a normal amount of treats, you might consider lowering his daily ratio of dry food.

I believe that the price difference of a quality food outweighs the extra veterinary costs that you’ll have with low quality foods in the long run. Do invest in a high quality food and you’ll reap the rewards for the rest of your dogs life.

The shininess of his coat, the clear and moist eyes and other less clear indicators will show you have chosen the right food. And, to finish off with a final remark. Isn’t the health of your dog priceless?