8. Dog Food Nutritional Guidelines - The Benefits of a Great Canine Diet

With so many types of dog food on the market, it can be difficult to choose a formula that is right for your pet.

While it may take a few experimental bags to be sure of which type your dog prefers, knowing what to look for in a great dog food can help.

After two weeks of feeding, a healthy dog food regimen should provide your pet with:

• a healthy immune system
• a shiny coat
• healthy skin
• a high energy level

If any of these areas are lacking, switch to a better brand. While a higher price does not necessarily represent better quality, most discounted dog foods are of poor nutritional value.

Especially low on the nutritional scale are foods of the “ration” variety. Select a brand that contains meat proteins and real vegetable ingredients, as well as additional vitamins and minerals, for best results.

Different Types of Dog Food and Their Nutritional Values

There are three main types of dog food in respect to texture. Dog owners can choose from dry (kibble), wet, or moist foods. Dry foods with a variety of textures and flavors are the most highly recommended.

This is due to the fact that they promote easy digestion and dental hygiene (the hard particles help remove tartar from the teeth). Wet or canned dog foods may appeal more to your dog's tastes, however they do not represent the nutritional or dental benefits of dry foods.

Also, the texture can cause difficulties in digestion. Moist foods, which usually come in the form of sealed packets, are the least effective type of dog nourishment. The nutritional value of this type of dog food is low compared with dry and wet brands. However, they do provide the benefit of being convenient.

If your dog refuses to eat dry food alone, you can add a bit of wet food to his bowl and mix the two together. Do make sure that the brands, formulas, and flavors are the same if possible, however. If you so desire, you can slowly remove all of the wet food from your dog's diet by decreasing the amount that is mixed with his dry food daily.

Snacking and Treats

While a dog can sustain himself quite well through regular feedings alone, your pet will benefit from the occasional well selected snack item. Just like humans, dogs need a nutritional boost here and there to keep energy levels high. Dog owners must be careful, however, not to abuse in between meal feedings.

Snacks and treats should be earned by your pet. This will prevent constant begging for food and confusion as to when your dog is truly hungry. When selecting a snack or treat item for your pet, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Never feed your dog table scraps. They may be harmful to his digestive system.
• Never feed your dog anything containing chocolate. This is poisonous to dogs.
• Do not feed bones to your dog. They can tear the esophagus and intestinal lining, and death can result.
• Foods such as plain, non-fat yogurt, apples, peas, bananas, carrots, and broccoli are fine for treats, however specially formulated dog treats are best.

Dealing With Aggression at Meal Time

If you are bringing a new dog or puppy into a home where another dog already lives, you can expect that the dog holding “seniority” will show a bit of aggressive behavior during feeding times. When you introduce the new dog into your home, your first dog may very well become defensive and territorial, which is normal.

However, this can become a more serious problem during meal times. Even pets who have never experienced a shortage of food have a tendency to guard their meals. This is natural and would ensure their survival in the wild. However, this is also an effect of the survival of the fittest routine that occurs in nature, and your newer pet may be left hungry at the end of the day as a result.

Hostile behavior during feedings cannot be tolerated. Many dog owners make the mistake of separating the dogs into two different rooms to correct the problem. However, this does not train the aggressive pet in any way. Instead, monitor both dogs during the entire feeding session to identify the aggressor (in rare cases, it can be the new pet rather than vice versa).

Then, give a verbal command or rebuke to the aggressor and place him in a room by himself, leaving the food behind (be sure to supply water, however). After the non-aggressive dog has finished his meal, you may let the offending dog back out into the feeding area.

The delay in receiving his meal will teach the hostile dog that this behavior is inappropriate. Always monitor the situation and wait for hostility before separating the dogs, however, so that your pet may learn the “crime and punishment” pattern. Separation before a hostile occurrence will be ineffective.

How Much Should You Feed Your Dog?

The amount of food a dog needs for proper development and nourishment will depend on his size and age. Puppies, of course, are still growing at a rapid pace and will require more frequent feedings.

Some professionals recommend that a puppy's food bowl stay full at all times, however this may promote obesity and digestive problems. Three to four feedings a day are recommended in most cases for puppies six months of age and under.

Adult dogs generally require two feedings a day. The amount that you will need to administer will be determined by brand, therefore check the label of your dog food bad for specific instructions that should be organized by weight. Never restrict a dog's diet without consulting a physician, but do be watchful for signs of weight problems in your pet.

The physique of a healthy dog will be slender with a trim waistline. There should be no bulge on the side from obesity or ribs showing through severely from being underweight. With the proper diet and daily exercise, your dog should be healthy, happy, and active well into his senior years.