How do you choose the best dog food for your dog? Our guide will outline the factors to consider for your particular pooch. Whether puppy or adult dog, the right feed determines the health and well-being of your dog. The amount and frequency of feeding also play a decisive role.
Breeders and veterinarians do not always agree which dog food is good for the animal: wet food, dry food or even cook for the dog? Dog owners also have very different opinions on this topic. What is certain is that your four-legged friend needs a wholesome food adapted to his needs.
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Factors to choose the best dog food suited to your dog
Does the puppy need special dog food?
Small breeds are grown up with an average of six months, large breeds with around 24 months, and this differing growth rate is a factor to choose the best dog food for each dog. Each puppy grows big and strong with adult complete food, but puppy food that is tailored to the needs of growth helps the animal grow up.
In the first six months the puppy’s bone structure builds up and he reaches 90 percent of his final weight. It is advisable to regularly put the small roommate on the scales and check whether he is gaining too little or too much. You can obtain a breed-specific growth curve from the breeder or from the veterinarian.
The bone build-up is the most important argument, which is why you should not feed whole foods to fast-growing puppies. Because too much calcium harms the dog and causes developmental disorders. Special puppy food contains less calcium and phosphorus than the food for adult dogs.
Feeding often rather than all at once
Adult dogs are usually fed by their owners once a day. However, it is recommended to divide the amount of food and feed the dog in the morning and evening. The dogs can digest and utilize the nutrients contained in the food much better. At the same time, twice the heat production uses more energy.
This means your dog will not gain weight as quickly as if your darling were eating the same amount at once. They also prevent life-threatening gastric rotation due to the amount of food, especially in large breeds .
Are natural vitamins good for your four-legged friend?
Vitamins promote dog health, especially in the cold season. Occasionally feed your dog a small portion of cooked and crushed broccoli. Broccoli not only contains vitamins and minerals, it also provides valuable fiber. The zinc contained in the broccoli ensures a beautiful fur.
Fruits and vegetables are not only healthy for humans, it also strengthens the dog’s immune system. Small pieces of fruit are much healthier than the many treats that are commercially available.
Note that fruits must be cleared of the seeds and stones before feeding. There is hydrocyanic acid in the kernels, which can be fatal to the dog in large quantities. Do not feed raw potatoes, tomatoes and hot peppers. These vegetables contain solanine, which is toxic to your animal.
Healthy dog food
The balanced, healthy and species-appropriate dog nutrition has four goals: building and maintaining the organism, energy supply, the prevention of diseases and the healing of some diseases. Responsible pet owners keep asking themselves whether the dog should get wet or dry food.
Moist food creates an appetite and is characterized by a high level of acceptance in animals. Dry food has a lower water, but a higher energy and nutrient content. For very large dogs, dry food is often the first choice. The relatively large amounts of feed can be easily transported, stored and the costs are kept within limits.
Mixing dry and wet food makes sense for bad eaters, sick and old animals . In most cases it is better accepted by the dog. The reason is the more intense and appetizing smell of wet food. Your dog decides with his nose what he wants to eat and what not.
If you decide to mix feed, you should follow a few rules: Constant changes in the products can lead to diarrhea in the dog . It also makes no sense to mix, for example, a dietary feed from the veterinarian or from the pet store with a cheap dry food from the discounter. You must adjust the daily amount of wet food and dry food to your dog’s energy requirements.
