Yesterday I was discussing dogs and dog behavior with a local woman who takes in abandoned dogs and the topic turned to nutrition. Dog food, to be exact. My friend said she often had to give her shelter dogs different diets, over time, to find out which dog food was just right for that dog. It's nice to know she's concerned about her shelter dogs' diets, because she really doesn't know what the dogs were fed before they came to her, and she needs to be aware of how their tummies tolerate the food she feeds them.
In reality, the same thing is true of us, as pet owners. Nutrition is an important part of our dog's diet, and learning how to read dog food labels, and how to understand the basic needs will help us keep our dogs healthy for a long life. The "Feeding Your Dog" article at the Pet Health Library starts with a valuable point, "It is first important to remember that not all dogs are the same, just like no two people are the same." Your dog is not my dog and my dog is not my sister's dog. The only thing all the dogs have in common is the requirement of a nutritional diet.
What is a nutritional diet for a dog? It's a diet that has the proper ingredients for good health. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they eat meat and vegetables (hence, the encouragement by my vet to give Carmie a carrot now and then, instead of half of my pizza). As the Pet Health Library states, "A complete and balanced diet means that your pet is receiving the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fiber and other key nutrients." Whew! Who knew our dogs needed all of that? Well, our vet's knew, and to be honest, pet food companies knew/know.
I recommend reading the article. It helps you understand the needs of your puppy and your adult dog. It points out the reasons for a healthy diet beyond the daily needs, like helping to avoid diseases like diabetes. It also points out that different breeds of dog, and different sizes, require different diets. Not just different foods, but different diets.
As a last point, let me remind good pet people that obesity in dogs and cats is on the rise. Let's all get the proper nutritional advice from our veterinarians and make sure we manage our pets' weight. My Carmie lived to be 16, and Wabby is pushing 17, so..I must be doing something right. I admit that I indulge my pets now and then, but not on a daily basis. Slim and trim for a good long life, that's my motto.
