Your four-legged friend’s diet is as important as yours. And while it might seem like a no-brainer, deciding on the best food for your dog might still be quite challenging. However, a balanced and high-quality diet is crucial for your pup’s overall health and wellbeing. So, here are a few tips to help you improve your dog’s nutrition and contribute to their happiness and longevity.
Top 7 Nutrition Tips for Dogs
Of course, there’s no one-fits-all diet for dogs. Just like with humans, diet is quite individual for every pup. What you should feed your dog will largely depend on your dog’s breed, size, and health condition. Here are some suggestions you can follow to determine the best healthy diet for your floof.
Tip #1: Choose Organic and High-Quality Food
Now, there’s an abundance of various dog foods on the market, yet not all of them are good for your dog. That’s why it’s vital to pay close attention to the dog food labels to check the quality of the ingredients and their nutritional value.
Also, make sure you stay away from purchasing foods containing non-specific ingredients. Instead, go for ones that clearly specify the type of meat and fat used. This will help prevent your dog from eating low-quality ingredients of unknown origin and help improve their health.
Tip #2: Portion Food Appropriately
While it’s good to feed your dog healthy food, too much of it can be harmful. Overfeeding your pup can contribute to its obesity and shorter life span. Try using a measuring cup every time you give your good boy or girl their daily meal.
Learn to refrain from feeding them all day long, even if they really deserved it. And if you want to treat your dog, then choose only healthy treats.
Tip #3: Assess Your Dog’s Health
All dogs are different, even if they’re of the same breed. That's why when it comes to deciding what to feed your little friend, it's essential to consider their health. Some dogs might have allergies or digestive problems, so your choice of food for them can help avoid further complications or discomfort.
Also, the older your dog gets, the more prone it becomes to getting health problems. It means that you need to adjust your pup’s diet as it grows and evaluate its overall health condition regularly. And if you’re not sure what’s the best diet for your dog with specific dietary restrictions, it’s always a good idea to consult with your vet.
Tip #4: Help Your Dog Maintain a Healthy Weight
No matter what, always pay attention to your dog’s weight. You want it to stay lean, active, and healthy. So, when you feed your pup, make sure the diet fits their weight and size and won't make them put on extra pounds that might lead to nasty diseases.
Apart from that, ensure your dog gets enough exercising per day and uses energy from those tasty calories you fed them earlier in the day.
Tip #5: Learn More About Toxic Foods for Dogs
While dogs might have human-like personalities and enjoy many different foods that you eat, not all of them are safe for their health. That’s why it’s crucial to know what foods are dangerous for your dog’s health. Here are some of them:
- Chocolate
- Little bones
- Onion and garlic
- Caffeine
- Grapes and raisins
- Citrus
- Raw yeast dough
- Mouldy foods
- Alcohol drinks
- Macadamia nuts
- Fatty foods
Tip #6: Try Cooking Meals for Your Dog at Home
Who said dogs don’t enjoy tasty home-cooked meals as much as us humans? Cooking for your dog yourself will help you ensure the food is less processed, nutrient-dense and free of poor-quality ingredients. Plus, it can also help your dog maintain a healthy weight and improve digestion.
When cooking for your pooch, avoid adding salt, saturated fats, or added sugars. Instead, make sure to include enough protein, whole grains, eggs, fish, fruits and vegetables. And if you need guidance, feel free to ask your veterinarian.
Tip #7: Introduce Changes Gradually
Introducing new food and changing your dog’s diet can be very beneficial for them. However, make sure you do it gradually. Let your pup take its time to get used to the new taste and flavour. For example, try mixing the new food with old food at first and then slowly increasing the amount of new food and substituting the old food with it. This will make the dietary transition much smoother and more pleasant for your furry friend.
How to Increase Fibre in a Dog's Diet?
Fibre is a carbohydrate that helps your dog maintain good gut health and promotes regular bowel movements and a healthy colon. And since fibre is often overlooked in many commercial dog foods, here are a few food sources high in fibre you can try adding to your dog's diet.
Pumpkin
Did you know that a cup of pumpkin puree contains 7.1 grams of dietary fibre? So it makes pumpkin one of the best fibre sources and tasty foods for your four-legged friend.
Leafy Greens
If you’re looking for a low-calorie source of fibre, dark leafy greens will be your dog’s best friend. Just chop them for better digestion and let your pup enjoy.
Apples
As they say, an apple a day keeps a doctor away. In your dog's case, a slice of an apple per day can help avoid visits to the vet. But, of course, you need to let your dog try it first and decide whether they like it or not. And if yes, then you'll have one more excellent source of fibre to feed your dog.
Green Beans
If you think your dog will be up for this fibre-dense treat, then you should definitely let them give it a try. Green beans are a healthy snack that can help increase your pup’s fibre intake.
Fibre Supplements
If you find it hard to find proper fresh sources of fibre for your dog, fibre supplements might come in handy, especially if your dog has some dietary problems. Your vet will be able to help you choose the right supplement for your dog.
At Bella&Toby, our mission is to make you and your pet happy. Our new Bella&Toby™ Posture Bowl Pro can be a perfect gift for your little one, letting them eat in an optimal position and with less strain in the back and neck. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about our products or simply want to say hello.