Are you choosing the right food for your dog?
There are a lot of decisions to make when choosing food for your dog and there are a myriad of options out there. What brand of dog food should I get? Should I feed them Grain-Free food or not? How much food or how often should I feed my dog? These are all good questions and our experience tells us there isn’t ever a perfect answer for them. However, below are some helpful tips.
What brand of dog food should I feed my dog?
This can be the toughest decision, as you want to go with the best and healthiest food for your dog. You have to find a food that your dog likes and that has a complete balanced nutrition for them. Nevertheless, there are a few factors that will help determine the kind of food you may need.
- First of all, consider your dog’s age. If it is a puppy you will need a puppy formulated food. If it is an adult you will need an adult formulated food.
- Secondly, consider the size of your dog. This will help you determine the type of food and size of kibble that is adequate.
- Thirdly, consider any special needs your dog has. Does your dog have a weight problem, joint problem, or can it tolerate grain in foods?
Make sure to take all of that into consideration when looking for the dog food to fit your dog’s needs.
How often should I feed my dog?
This can depend on an owner’s specific work schedule or other lifestyle challenges. Ideally, you would want to feed your dog once in the morning and once in the evening. As your dog gets older you could leave food out throughout the day for them to eat whenever they are hungry.
Nevertheless, it is going to come down to each person’s personal preference on a feeding schedule. There is no right or wrong method, as long as the dog is being fed and maintaining a healthy weight.
How much should I feed my dog?
Knowing how much to feed your dog depends a lot on their individual needs. Is your dog active? If your dog is still a puppy then they may not eat as much as an older adult dog due to growth and activity.
Most brands of food will give you a food guideline by weight to help you determine the proper amount to give your dog daily. Make sure to not overfeed your dog as that can cause health issues.
All in all, make sure to do your research on quality brands of dog food. See what foods will best fit your dog’s needs and make sure to talk to your veterinarian about a good diet for your dog.
This article was written by Ashely Foglesong and Teresa Campbell, professional breeders.