Thursday 24 July 2008

Feeding Your Puppy Dog - General Do's and Don'ts

By Peter Madrid

When dogs are left to eat what they want, they would probably eat fresh meat all day. However, dogs are able to eat and digest most types of food. As a pet owner you have a few options when it comes to feeding your dog.

You have the option to feed your dog:

  • Dry food
  • Canned Food
  • Food from you kitchen

Whichever route you choose, there are some general do's and don'ts that should be applied when feeding your puppy dog.

Do

  • Make sure your dog has her own bowl
  • Feed your dogs at a distance from each other (if you have more than one)
  • Serve food at room temperature
  • Provide fresh water always

Don't

  • Feed your dog expired food
  • Leave fresh food sitting in the bowl (dry food can be left for longer periods)
  • Feed your dog scraps while you are sitting at the table

Always remember that puppies and dogs enjoy food and you can tell a lot about your dog by monitoring her eating habits.

  • If your dogs suddenly stops eating his food it could be a sign that he is not well
  • You are the pack leader. It is up to you to monitor your dog's food consumption and regulate the amount you pet should eat
  • Don't allow your dog to become overweight - it will cost you money as well as your dog's life in the long run
  • If you calculate the amount of calories your dogs will consume everyday, remember to include any dog treats in your calculations
  • Speak to a vet if you are concerned about your dog's eating habits

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