Choosing the right dog food for your canine is partly a matter of chance. First of all, as we all know some dogs can be picky eaters — there’s no point in trying to force your dog to eat a brand of food that he or she does not like.
Once you’ve found a brand that your pet enjoys, watch to make sure that your dog remains healthy after eating the particular brand of food for a period of time.
If he develops skin problems or other unusual symptoms, it may be necessary to switch to another brand. If your pet is fairly inactive, then choose a variety that is intended for older or less-active dogs — adding unnecessary calories is as unhealthy for dogs as it is for humans.
like all other living creatures, your pet dog needs the right kind of nutrition to remain a healthy and happy companion for a long time. A healthy dogs diet should be consist of the right combinations of these six elements:
- carbohydrates.
- fat.
- proteins.
- vitamins.
- minerals.
- water.
Also remember that the attractive, colorful images of the food displayed on the packaging is solely there for your benefit, not your dog’s! Dogs are much more likely to relate to their food on the basis of its taste, and not on its appearance or color. Because commercial brands of dog food may be lacking in certain essential nutrients, it may be a good idea to find two or three different brands that your dog likes and rotate them. This reduces the likelihood that your pet will develop food allergies or other sensitivities that build up over time from a nutritional deficiency.
There are certain symptoms you can watch for that might indicate that your dog is not getting all the nutrition he or she needs for good animal health. They include:
- Foul-smelling breath.
- Foul-smelling stools.
- A loss of appetite.
- Frequently passing gas.
- A dull coat.
- Depression and loss of energy.
- a tendency to harbor fleas and worms.
It’s not unusual for dogs to exhibit any of these symptoms occasionally,
but if more than one symptom is present on a regular basis, then you should consider a visit to your vet to investigate possible changes in your dog’s diet.
Keeping your dog healthy and happy is not rocket science, but just a matter of common sense, a good diet, exercise, and lots of love and attention.