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We know quite a lot about the best things to feed ourselves to ensure that we are healthy. Plenty of fruit and veg and lots of water go a long way to keeping our bodies in shape and moving normally. The same is true for our canine friends.
With the right diet, your dog should have plenty of energy, a shiny coat and an adorable wet nose. They shouldn’t be overweight – or underweight – and will be happy with what they are eating. Creating a balanced diet is slightly different for dogs but the same broad principles apply.
What to Feed Your Dog
There are all kinds of dog foods around and they often cater for slightly different needs. For example, an elderly dog might prefer a different type of dog food that is easier to digest, whereas a puppy will want lots of calorie-dense food to help them grow.
Premium Pet Food at K9Cuisine is a good place to start looking. Each recipe has been developed using the finest ingredients to ensure a good balance of nutrients as well as a recipe your dog will love.
How Much to Feed Your Dog
There are 4 categories of dog size: toy, small, medium and large. It might seem perfectly obvious when written on the page but a toy dog doesn’t need nearly as much food as a large dog! And yet, many owners overfeed their pets every single day.
For an adult dog, the recommended amount of food is ⅓ cup for every 10 pounds over 100 pounds of body weight. So, if you have a small dog who weighs around 15lbs, you should feed him around 1 cup of food each day. Most dogs like to eat twice a day so split the total amount between their meals.
However, this is only a guide. You should also consider your dog’s lifestyle when feeding. So, an active dog who likes to go running with you in the evening will almost certainly have a greater appetite than a dog of equivalent size who has spent the day snoozing in his bed.
Treats and Snacks
Treats and snacks are ideal for training your dog to follow instructions and having a pocketful on a walk is a good idea as they will be tempted to act out! Do factor treats and snacks into your dog’s daily diet as they are still quite calorific and you don’t want to feed them too much.
There are plenty of really popular dog treats on the market but making your own is a good way to control the ingredients and ensure that your dog gets the things he most enjoys. There are all sorts of recipes available online ranging from cute little bone-shaped biscuits to no-bake peanut butter balls. Doggy breath mints could also be on the cards!
When your dog has a good diet, they have the foundations in place for a long and healthy life with you. Now all you need to do is make sure you both get plenty of exercise and have lots of fun together. But with your great friendship, that’s not going to be too much of an ask.