Go Beyond Canned Food With These Nutritional Tips From the Experts

Grabbing a bag of dry food for the family dog is a habit practiced by thousands of owners across the globe. These foods are marketed as the best items to feed canines, but there’s some controversy to this statement. The dog-food manufacturers want the public to follow this idea because it shores up profits. Savvy pet owners know better, however. Expand the family’s knowledge on dog food right now. There’s a clever way to boost the pup’s nutritional intake with just a few alterations to the everyday diet.

Read the Food Labels

A common mistake for any Golden resident is forgetting to read the label on the dog’s food. The bold statements on the product’s front side can be deceiving. Be sure to read the nutrition label that’s in a smaller font on the backside. This information cannot be exaggerated or marketed with a particular angle. The government requires full disclosure of the ingredients within this label.

A dog daycare professional would suggest that the bulk of the ingredients should be protein. The ingredients are listed from highest percentage to lowest amounts. Protein should be the first ingredient listed, which offers the best nutrition for the pup.

Go Grain Free

It’s a reality that many dog foods are full of fillers. Gluten, cornmeal and other starches fill the holes in the food so that it can be sold to unsuspecting consumers. Take a tip from a dog training expert by looking for grain-free foods. Both bagged and canned foods will have protein, vegetables and fruits as the main ingredients. Dogs have evolved with these types of diets, especially when it comes to protein, so their nutritional needs will be met.

Supplement With Vegetables

Speak with any dog daycare professional, and he or she will tell families that dogs love vegetables. Pull out those green veggies, such as bell peppers, lettuce and green beans. The crunchy sensation is a thrill as the nutrients add up during treat time.

Be aware of the forbidden veggies, such as onions. Dogs can handle most leafy items, but onions have natural chemicals that might harm their systems.

Try Lifestyle or Medical-Issue Branded Food

If the family pet has a particular issue, such as being overweight, look for specialized food options. A dog daycare expert might suggest a brand that uses low-fat ingredients to encourage weight loss. Food sensitivities are also addressed in the dog-food market with various mixtures for every need.

Choose a dog food based on breed too. A Labrador retriever will have a much different diet than the standard chihuahua, for instance.

Pick Quality Treats

A food that’s often overlooked is the treat factor. Families love giving their pups treats. A dog training expert would suggest that the treats should be high-quality types. Consider buying the same brand of treats as the staple food. The quality ingredients usually stretch across various products when families stick with the same manufacturer.

Don’t give too many treats to the dog either. The pup should still be hungry at dinnertime.

Brush the Teeth With Carrots

Golden dog owners know that they should brush their pets’ teeth every week. Ideally, a brushing each day might be implemented. This practice doesn’t necessarily happen, however. Consider a brushing mechanism with a vegetable. Carrots are crunchy and offer friction on the teeth. Try a carrot every day when the teeth can’t be brushed in the conventional way. The veggie does make a difference.

Filter the Water

Lakewood residents may have clean drinking water, but the tap shouldn’t be the dog’s main source of hydration. Use filtered water for the dog’s dish. It doesn’t have to be fancy, filtered water either. Pull the water from the refrigerator receptacle. Be sure that the dog bowl is free from any chemicals too. A dog will drink a lot of water in its given lifetime.

Consider a Breakfast Treat

Golden families might be surprised to hear that eggs are an important part of a dog’s healthy diet. They’re full of nutrients in both the yolk and whites. Consider scrambled, hard-boiled or soft-boiled cooking options. Families may want to feed this treat to the dog outside. It can get messy.

Egg nutrients include dense vitamins and minerals along with a protein punch. One egg a day is optimal for most medium- to large-size canines.

Go Raw

Although it may seem like the last food that should be offered, consider a raw meat as a treat from time to time. Dogs and most other carnivores have evolved to eat raw meats. A Lakewood family might offer a few pieces of raw and fresh beef to the pup, for example. The nutrients within the protein are astoundingly good.

If you’re concerned about any germs within the meat, give the pieces a short sear on the stovetop. The meat’s interior will still be raw, but the outside has a bit of crispiness to it.

Discuss Options With the Professionals

If there are any concerns about doggy nutrition, speak to a dog training professional. These experts can offer suggestions based on the dog’s breed, habits and medical needs. Supplement this healthy diet with some exercise at the training facility too. Lakewood pups love to romp with other dogs in a controlled environment. Training classes help both the pet owners and canines. The bonding experience is an important factor as everyone learns something new with each interaction.

Pet owners shouldn’t feel disappointed if bagged or canned food is used on a regular basis. Mixing up the pup’s diet is the goal. As long as there’s some variation to the diet, the dog’s nutritional levels should be satisfied. A long and healthy life is the end result of the family’s feeding efforts.