If budget restraints prevents you feeding your dog plenty of fresh meat you must replace it with good quality dry food. When purchasing dry food you will have to bear a couple of things in mind.
Before buying dog food always study the labelled ingredients, the ingredients which forms the biggest portion is always listed first, then the rest follows in proportion. In other words from the ingredients which form the highest percentage to the smallest.
Stay clear of cheap dog food as they contain a large proportion of waste animal parts and are seldom found in high quality dog food. The waste products are not fit for human consumption and although not dangerous to the dog, the overall product is of low quality. In the long term this is detrimental to the dog's coat, muscles and bone structure.
A healthy dog's coat appears glossy and tends to shed less hair. This is very noticeable of long-haired dogs.
Most vets recommend a 40:30:30 ratio of meat, vegetables and starch respectively. Beef, lamb and chicken are common sources of protein which forms an essential part of your dog's diet.
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Vegetables provide essential minerals and vitamins for the formation of a sound bone structure as well as providing hormones and enzymes in the correct quantities and balance for bodily functions. Prime examples are carrots and squash which are agreeable for most dog breeds.
Starch is provided by either white or brown rice, both of which are prime examples of carbohydrates which is vital for providing energy and cell repair.
Some dogs have special conditions and therefore need special diets. For instance many Golden Retrievers are senstive to wheat products and find it hard to digest corn meal. Indicators for wheat sensitivity are soft stools, excessive scratching and flatulence. Before changing your dog's diet, a visit to your vet would be wise thing to do.
To make dry food more palitable for dogs add some water and micro-wave for 30 sec. The advantage of dry food is that it keeps the teeth and gums clean. So it makes good sense to feed ocassional dry meals.
Dogs are no different from humans when it comes to treats, they love them, feed them high quality ones but not more than two a day as they are high in fat content.
The price difference between good quality food and low quality food is often huge, twice the amount sometimes. But it pays in the long run to buy the best quality food as you will score on low vet bills and you will surely have a healthy dog which will train easier.
Remember also that your dog will have a shiny coat, a sparkle in the eye all clear indications of a healthy dog which in the end is a priceless asset.
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 material that forms the largest percentage is listed first, followed by the second and then others.
One of the attributes that makes cheap dog food less preferable is the high percentage of ‘waste’ animal parts. When you see ‘by products’ on the label, it’s better to avoid these brands. If it does appear on higher quality dog food, which is rare, it will be listed near the bottom indicating a small proportion.
Those ‘by products’ consist of parts that were not considered usable for human consumption. That fact doesn’t by itself make the product dangerous, but the lower quality will have a long term effect on coats, muscles and bones, and overall health.
Just as one indicator, dogs with healthy coats (particularly, long-haired breeds) will look shinier and shed less. Assuming proper bathing and brushing habits, of course.
Some experts put the proper ratio of meat, vegetables and starch at about roughly 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.
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