Nothing is more essential to good training than good health. And the foundation of good health is a good diet.
Depending on your budget you may or may not be able to feed your dog a larger proportion of fresh meat, but at least be prepared to spend enough for a good dry food. Here are a few things to look for...
All dog foods are labeled with the ingredients in order by proportion. That is, the ingredient with largest percentage is listed first, followed by the second and subsequently the rest of the ingredients.
One of the ingredients that you don't want for your dog, but found in many feed because they are cheap, are animal by products. When you see this mentioned on the label you might reconsider buying the brand. Higher quality brands might mention it on the label, but you'll find it normally at the bottom of the ingredient list.
By-Products Meals are animal parts like feathers, claws, blood that are not good for human consumption. You can find them in animal food, because it is legal to use them for animals, but they don't provide high quality energy and they don't attribute to a good health of your dog.
One way to see if your dog is on a healthy diet is by checking his coat. Especially long haired breeds will have shinier coats and shed a lot less hair, presuming they are bathed and combed regularly.
Some experts believe that the proper ratio of meat, vegetables and starch should be around 40%, 30%, 30% respectively.
Common meats used are chicken, lamb and beef. These provide readily digestible sources of protein - essential to healthy coats, muscles, etc.
Important for healthy bones are the vegetables that provide the vitamins and minerals. A good dog food can contain many vegetables, but especially carrots and squash are good examples of quality vegetables.
The best starch comes from brown or integral rice. Rice is an terrific carbohydrate, unlike other cereals like corn. Starch is broken down by the dogs stomach and provides energy and aids in cell repair.
Just like humans, some dogs have special diet needs. For example Golden Retrievers are sensitive to wheat products. And in general corn is the worst cereal you can find in a diet, because it is so hard to digest for dogs.
Avoid bad ingredients and when in doubt talk to your vet about the best diet for your dog. Especially when your dog has diarrhea, scratches a lot, or has flatulancy.
Some dogs will find dry dog food more enjoyable if prepared with a little water and microwaved for about 30 seconds. Feed dry is thought to add to teeth and gum hygiene.
Don't overdo it with the treats. The high fat content in treats can make your dog overweight. Manufacturers add fat to the treats, because your dog loves it. If you are training your dog and you give him more than a normal amount of treats, you might consider lowering his daily ratio of dry food.
The price difference between a supermarket food and a premium food can be high. But the investment in the higher quality brand probably compensates for lower veterinary bills and a much livelier dog.
The shininess of his coat, the clear and moist eyes and other less clear indicators will show you have chosen the right food. And, to finish off with a final remark. Isn't the health of your dog priceless?
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