Dog foods are a selection of commercially prepared formulas and flavors. They can be very confusing for pet owners to choose what's right for their pets. To make sure that your dogs stay strong and healthy and to make sure that you're feeding them with the best formula, the owners should understand what they need.Right Food for Them
Good nutrition will help your dogs achieve their full potential both mentally and physically. Here are some types of dog food to choose from.
Commercially Prepared Food
Commercial pet food manufacturers make sure that they meet two basic standards: the puppy food standard and the adult food standard. They want to produce food that provides a complete and balanced diet for dogs.
If the food is labelled as "for all life stages," it is required to meet the puppy food standard. These standards are set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials or the AAFCO.
Here are some of the choices a pet owner should look for according to the AAFCO standard.
Balanced Nutritional Ingredients
All formulas contain a number of ingredients and different food groups in a specific ratio.
These ingredients are vital, beneficial and desirable. The correct balance of nutrients and specific ingredients will vary depending on the breed, age, size and general health of your pets. The higher ingredient on the list means the greater the percentage of it is in the food.
Protein
A well balanced food contains a good source of proteins. It provides essential amino acids. The most popular source of proteins is lamb and chicken products. This can be whole lamb or whole chicken.
Other sources of proteins are:
• Bison
• Beef
• Turkey
• Salmon
• Duck
Carbohydrates
It supplies the dogs with the energy they need. Carbohydrates contain fiber which converts glucose in their body.
Sources of Carbohydrates are:
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Grains
Fats
This is also a valuable source of energy. It is essential to keep your pets coat and skin healthy. In commercial foods protein may be found in animal fat, vegetable oils and muscle meats. A specified source of animal fat is chicken fat.
Vitamins & Minerals
These are very essential to a dog's health and must be supplied with the right quantities and in the correct ratio.
The essential vitamins and minerals a dog needs are:
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B12
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Vitamin E
• Iron
• Potassium
• Vitamin C
Dry Food
The quality of these foods can vary from brand to brand and it is very important to remember that the quality of the ingredients is what counts.
These are known as kibble, which is easier to serve and store. Here are some their benefits.
• Benefits for your dogs gums and teeth
• Easy to measure out and store
• Lower cost per serving
• Ensures firm stools
Kibble is the most convenient type of food. This can be left out for the pet without spoilage. In fact, there are many pet owners who prefer feeding their dogs with these dry recipes, because they appreciate the convenience of filling a bowl with sufficient amount of food to feed their pets for the entire day.
Raw Food
This kind of diet emphasizes bones, fruits, vegetables and raw meat. Potential benefits of feeding with raw food diet are:
• Healthier skin
• Cleaner teeth
• Smaller stools
• Higher energy levels
• Shinier coats
The types of raw diets have developed, including commercially processed raw food diets that are freeze-dried or frozen and also the combination diets that use blends of vitamins, vegetables and grains that are now mixed with raw meat.
How Much Should You Feed?
The best way to figure out on how much to feed your dogs is to estimate the number of calories they need per day and to choose the food that is specially formulated for their size and age.
Do not free feed if you want them to grow up with good eating habits. This can lead to all sorts of problems. Divide his daily food requirements by the number of meals the pup is eating per day. Put his bowl down at usual times of the day.
If your dog has gulped the whole food down and eats very fast, you probably need to increase the amount of recipe just a bit. But this can also lead to health problems.
If you want them to stay healthy and with good eating habits, put his food in a slow dog feeder bowl.
The dogs that eat fast are prone to ailments such as:
• Vomiting
• Gastro intestinal discomfort
• Choking
• Food bloat
Slow dog feeder bowls prevent pets from being able to gulp on their food. They alleviate the issues associated with rapid eating. These bowls will work to some degree in slowing them down from eating too fast.
Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Complicated-World-of-Dog-Food&id=9242681
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