Canine Nutrition Basics
Our latest Guest Blog is from Jordan Walker. Jordan writes for a number of dog related blogs and is passionate about animals. Here Jordan provides advice on the basics of canine nutrition, particularly about the right type of food that should be given to keep your dog fit and healthy all the time.
Your dog needs just the right amount of nutrients to gain energy for daily activities and to stay fit and active. But these days, many pet owners worry about giving the proper food for their furry friend. The reason? Well, it isn’t very easy to prepare balanced meals for dogs. While it may not always be possible to give him 100% of the nutrients he needs in each meal, your full effort in giving him healthy food would still be very helpful.
Meat
Meat is a source of protein, which is needed by the body for the growth, repair, and maintenance of cells. When dogs digest meat, it is converted into amino acids which aid in muscle growth and help keep the fur and coat healthy. By giving this to your dogs, you can be sure that they will have excellent coat. When choosing meat, make sure you buy certified food grade meat or those that are approved safe for eating. You can give them raw or cooked meat, or simply follow your dog’s preference on how he likes them. If you’re not sure whether the meat you’ve bought is completely free from parasites and microbes, you have the option to cook it before feeding it to your dog.
Fruits and Grains
Fresh fruits are mostly packed with vitamins and minerals, which help prevent certain diseases. Therefore, it is safe to add these to your dog’s daily diet. They don’t need much of these though, as they could cause diarrhea or even obesity since most fruits contain a high amount of sugar. A small slice or at least two apples, or 3 slices of banana will make a complete meal. Grains are also needed by dogs. But for dogs with sensitive tummies, rice is more likely to be opted. This will fill in the required nutrients to maintain a soft and bland temporary diet.
Fish and Eggs
Fish is a good source of protein. In fact, this is highly recommended for dogs that are allergic to pork or beef. But be careful in giving this as it may contain parasites. Nevertheless, this something you shouldn’t worry about since these creatures can be destroyed once cooked. Regardless if it is cooked or raw, eggs are actually very nutritious as they are packed with vitamins and minerals and are rich in protein, too. Aside from that, the egg shell is also packed with calcium. If possible, crush it and then add a small amount of it to your dog’s daily meal.
Kibble, Teats and Supplements
Dry food, dog biscuits, and other treats aren’t that bad at all. But as a pet owner, you have to be careful and wary of its ingredients. Make sure you always read the fine print to have the assurance that these products aren’t harmful to your pet. If you can, always go for organic products, or those that are made with natural ingredients. These do not contain harmful chemicals and other artificial food colour and preservatives.
If you feel doubtful about the amount of calories and nutrients you provide your dog each day, your veterinarian can suggest the best vitamins and food supplements for him.
Promoting optimum canine nutrition can be done as long as pet owners have the basic knowledge related to the subject matter. The tips above can be applied for fairly normal dogs. Those with sick pets may consult the veterinarian for specific diet instructions related to the dog’s medical condition.
Jordan Walker is the lead content curator for Coops and Cages as well as a couple of other pet-related blogs. His passion for animals is only paired with his love for “attempting” to play the guitar. If you would like to catch more of him, you can by following his Twitter or visiting his Website.
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