Feeding
your dog a nutritious diet should be a top priority for every dog
owner. It's best to consult with your vet to ensure your dog's diet
is complete. In addition, there are a few dos and don'ts you might
want to follow when choosing what foods to offer your canine
companion.
1.
DO Consider Portion Sizes
Based
on caloric needs and the size and weight of your pet, food portion is
something to consider. If you overfeed your dog, obesity may occur,
leading to a host of health issues. Conversely, if you don’t feed
your dog enough, your pet may become underweight and malnourished.
The
best way to determine the correct portion of dog food to offer is by
consulting your veterinarian. Your vet may want to make adjustments
depending upon your dog's activity levels and general health. For
instance, a working dog or one that leads an active lifestyle may
require larger food portions than one who lives a sedentary
lifestyle.
2.
DON'T Allow Your Dog Access While You're Eating
Don't
allow your dog to beg for food while you're having family meals.
Offer your dog a healthy and acceptable treat after you have had your
meal. Doing so will prevent your pet from being offered high calorie
foods that may lead to obesity.
When
you and your family sit down to breakfast, lunch or dinner, place
your pet out of sight in a safe spot, such as a crate or another
room. If you choose to use a crate, be sure your pet is crate trained
first. If you prefer, use a baby gate to keep your dog from gaining
access to the dinner table.
3.
DO Complement Your Dog's Diet With Healthy People Food
You
can supplement your dog's daily diet with some healthy people foods
and snacks. Try to get your dog to accept vegetables that are high in
antioxidants. Carrots are an excellent choice, and they may be
offered as a mid-day treat or chopped and mixed with the dog's food.
In addition, chewing on a raw carrot is good for dental health, as it
helps to remove plaque.
Offer
your dog some chopped, cooked egg as a treat as well. Eggs offer
protein for muscle and the biotin may also improve your pet's coat
and skin.
You
might also want to chop up some cooked lean chicken as an occasional
treat or addition to your dog's diet. Be careful not to offer your
dog chicken bones, as they can splinter and become lodged in your
pet's intestinal tract.
Interested
in other healthy food additions for your pet? Try an occasional
offering of peanut butter, which offers the benefit of protein and
vitamin E. A small offering of pumpkin now and then is another good
option, as it is full of vitamins. Oatmeal may also be offered to
your canine companion, but choose one with no added sugar.
4.
DON'T Forget That Some Foods Are Toxic to Pets
Many
foods that are considered healthy for humans may be toxic to pets.
When considering a dog-friendly diet, remember to keep the following
foods off-limits:
-
Chocolate and
Cocoa
:
Chocolate contains a chemical known as theobromine. This chemical is
dangerous for your pet, as it increases heart rate or may cause
heart irregularities as well as digestive upset. The caffeine in
chocolate may also interfere with the heart rate and central nervous
system.
-
Grapes and
Raisins
:
Although a healthy food choice for humans, grapes and raisins should
never be offered to your dog. Raisins and grapes can interfere with
your dog's kidney function. Even a small amount of grapes may cause
serious illness in a dog or even be fatal.
-
Macadamia Nuts
:
Macadamia nuts may affect your dog's muscles and digestive system.
In some pets, consuming macadamia nuts could be fatal, so don't take
the risk.
For
more advice on canine nutrition, consult your
veterinarian
.
