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Articles

Pet Food Shopping and Preparation: Learn What Your Dogs Need

by Melinda Smith

Pet food is the source of energy and vital nutrients for our beloved pets, not just any old thing to feed them.In fact, animals have a specific dietary requirements to fulfill their needs. Man's best friends, our beloved dogs, are often given foods that we eat without knowing that these are detrimental to our pets' health. What they need are foods that contain vitamins and minerals that would improve their fur, teeth, bones, stamina, skin and overall health. They need these to fight off bacteria, parasites and other viruses that threaten their lives, too.

Dogs also need carbohydrates, protein, fiber and fat in their diet. To build strong muscles, good coat, nails, skin and healthy cells, our dogs need protein which meat, fish and eggs, among others, can provide.And fat isn't always bad for your dogs because it helps boost their metabolism and it transports vitamins into their system.Carbohydrates are essential for a dog's energy, digestion and body cells as carbohydrates supply it with glucose.

On the other hand, it is also important to know what foods are bad for your dog. Feeding them the wrong foods can lead them to health disorders like obesity, cancer, arthritis, bowel disorder, diabetes and kidney problems, to name a few.Many books and websites share a list of foods that should not be fed to your dogs such as chocolate, beans, garlic, onion and cooked chicken bones. And since many owners doubt the sincerity of commercial dog foods, they resort to feeding their dog homemade dog food they prepared themselves.

Aside from being able to monitor your dog's food intake, homemade dog food is also beneficial to your budget. While it takes time and effort to learn what to feed them, making your dog's food is economical and results-oriented as you will see good changes in their health. Just remember not to add preservatives and added spices, especially garlic, and to balance their diet and add variety to it. Feel free to also include cooked good grain in their bowls, like brown rice and whole wheat, to complete their protein meat and vegetable meal. The difference between the generic dog food and the premium dog food is that latter normally uses high quality ingredients - hence, it is also more expensive. It has no added fillers and by-products and, although more expensive than the regular kind, offers variety in shape, color and taste.

However, it is still safer to discuss with your dog's veterinarian what your dog's diet should be.

In knowing your dog's dietary needs and what food they also enjoy eating, one should always consult a veterinarian. Whether you plan to buy the right kind of pet food or to make your dog's foods yourself, it is best to mix good research and professional guidance. But remember that each dog's needs vary depending on their breed, age, sizes and their level of activity. And if you're just learning how to feed your dog properly, don't forget to incorporate the healthy food slowly in their diet instead of changing it too fast. After all, dogs are like humans, too - they don't take diet changes easily.

Pet food and snacks are essential to your pet's health and overall well-being. Dogs, man's best friend, is the most challenging pet to feed because of its needs for vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fat, protein and many other compounds. Having a bad diet can result to many illnesses and diseases for your dogs, as serious as cancer. To care for their beloved canine, some people resort to buying premium dog food while other feed dogs with homemade dog food.

Published May 25th, 2010

Filed in Family