How to Feed Your Dog

By Stefan Van Der Merwe

Even though we often think of dogs as mans best friend we can sometimes look past the fact that the physiological needs of dogs places large emphasis on what they eat, just as in humans. Our K9 friends also need fats, carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins and water to be healthy and grow. A well balanced diet is necessary to give our pets all the nutrients they need and choosing the right type of food for them is essential.

This may seem easy but it is not always the case. In reality we should think carefully when we purchase nutrition for them as their are many factors to take into consideration. It is important to realise that dogs go through different stages during their lives just as humans do. As a baby you need specific types of food to help you grow and to avoid getting sick. When you get a bit older you dietary needs shift and when you reach old age you don't need as many calories and fats as when you were a teenager and this holds true for our pets and we have to be aware of these changes and buy the correct food according to the needs of ours pets.

Obviously one has to choose the type of food according to age because you wouldn't give a small child the same food that you would give your grandfather Dog food can be classified in three categories which include your moist, semi-moist and your dry foods. You need to know what makes up each food and you need to be aware and read the labels when deciding which food to purchase. Moist foods contain between 60-80% water and contain colour enhancers. The semi-moist foods contain lots of sugar as well as colour enhancers and the dry foods are blended and contain grains, meat, meat by products, fats, minerals and vitamins and only contain about 10% water.

Even though there are many different types of foods out there we know that all natural products are the best for us and we should also consider buying all natural products for our pets. These products may be more expensive but research has shown that dogs eat smaller portions of these foods as they contain the correct balance of food and is a complete meal. All natural products are very high in nutritional value and lack many of the artificial additives that the other products contain. So if your dog is struggling with digestion and any other types of infection it might just be best to switch what he or she is eating as these foods are excellent for preventing and we all know that prevention is far better than cure!

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