As a dog owner it is your responsibility as the owner to keep your pets healthy and strong so they can live a happy and active lifestyle. And in order to achieve this, it largely depends whether you provide your dog with a healthy and balanced dog diet or not. Even if you feed your dog with the most expensive dog food brand, it doesn’t mean that it will have all the essential nutrients it needs to be perfectly healthy. Here are some guidelines that you need to keep in mind when it comes to a balanced dog diet.

• Be sure that you choose a good dog food brand for your dogs preferably well known ones. You can ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
• Water is never a substitute for milk. The calcium content of milk can help with stronger bones and teeth. Only provide your pet with a moderate amount of milk. Excessive milk can cause diarrhea. In addition to that, always make sure that your dog has always a fresh supply of clean water.
• When it comes to dog nutrition, the recommended protein content is about 20 to 30 percent. So always make sure that your dog gets the right amount of protein content. Salmon, lamb and chicken are all good choices when it comes to protein content.
• Dog needs energy in order to stay active. For more fuel for your pet, provide it with foods that are rich in fat and oils, although you need to keep it to moderate amounts. Carbohydrate rich foods such as rice and cereals are also good sources of energy for dogs.
• When it comes to feeding your dog with dog food, you need to select a high quality variety that’s best for your dog’s age, weight and its level of activity. Dry dog food is preferable most of the time although you may need to provide it with moist canned food as well in order to keep its teeth clean.
• Do not overfeed your dog because it might lead to obesity. Obese dogs are highly prone to diseases and illnesses such as diabetes. Stick to a strict feeding schedule with measured meals about two times a day.
• Avoid feeding your dog with table scraps. Some human foods are simply not meant for dog consumption because the fats that are contained in these foods are hard for dogs to digest. Onions and chocolates are definitely a no-no.

The keyword here is “balance”. With insufficient essential nutrients, your dog can suffer from being underweight, on the other hand too much can lead to obesity. That is why it is important that you feed your dog with balanced diet that provides all the essential nutrients.

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About the author

Paul