There are many different arguments for different types of dog food. What is best for which dog and how feeding can be integrated into the daily routine of those caring for them varies according to individual needs. Below you will find some recommendations and ideas on this topic.
First of all, there are two important things to consider: How much time do you want to spend on your dog's diet? In other words, how much effort are you willing to put into feeding your dog? And what is recommended for your dog's constitution? Not only breed and age play a role here, but also the dog's activity level. There are basically three options when it comes to feeding dogs.
This is usually a complete food, which means it contains everything your dog needs. This makes it a simple and uncomplicated way to feed your dog. However, it is important to ensure that the food is of good quality. What you feed your dog should not only satisfy its hunger, but also meet its needs for minerals, trace elements, and vitamins. High-quality food is characterized by a sufficiently high meat content. Recommendations on how much to feed can be found on each food package, listed according to the weight and size of the dog. These are always approximate guidelines and can be optimized according to your dog's build – slim or rather stocky. You will also find various dry foods in specialist shops for puppies, young dogs, adult dogs, and senior dogs. The size of the kibble is usually adapted to small, medium, and large dogs. You can feed your dog dry food at its usual feeding times. Don't forget to provide enough water in a drinking bowl, as your dog needs to drink plenty of fluids. Care should be taken when storing dry food, as food mites like to breed in it and can trigger a food mite allergy. The food should therefore be stored in an airtight container and only small quantities should be kept in stock.
This is also a fairly straightforward way of feeding your dog, as you can usually find complete foods: open the can, put the food in the bowl, and you're done. Here, it is just as important to pay attention to quality as with dry food. Opened cans should be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of two days and should not be fed completely cold. Products with a high meat content are recommended. Feeding instructions can also be found on the packaging. Wet food is given in larger quantities than dry food because it is not as compact. Your dog will need more of it to feel full and get the energy it needs. Some dog owners are reluctant to feed wet food because it can cause the dog's stool to become soft, making it more difficult to clean up. However, it is also possible to combine dry and wet food. Your little gourmet will probably enjoy the variety. Wet food is usually the better alternative, especially for older dogs with dental problems or missing teeth.
Barf feeding is a raw food diet and a specific feeding concept that you should research thoroughly in advance. Once you have created a sensible, balanced diet plan for your dog, barf feeding is a species-appropriate and healthy feeding method. Cooking for your dog yourself is a little more time-consuming and requires you to know exactly what is good for them and what is harmful. For example, there are a number of foods that are actually poisonous to dogs, such as grapes, onions, garlic, raw pork, chocolate, and cocoa. So if you are interested in spoiling your pet with home-cooked meals and raw food, it is a good idea to consult a vet (see relevant article) for nutritional advice and to calculate the correct portion sizes to start with, because the most important thing for a healthy dog is a balanced diet.
You can, of course, decide for yourself how many meals you feed your dog. The following tip applies: it is better to give one extra portion and smaller meals so that the stomach and circulation are not overloaded. If you feed your dog once a day, it will probably come to you more often to ask for more food. It makes more sense to feed two or three times a day, especially for younger animals.
Feeding times should be part of a routine, as dogs like fixed schedules. Once you have served breakfast at 8 a.m. a few times, your four-legged friend will start giving you those puppy dog eyes and waiting for their food. Establish fixed feeding times, as this will help both you and your dog in your daily routine.
Treats and extras are often calorie bombs. A little something here and there, maybe a slice of cheese from the table now and then – all of this counts towards their daily ration and should be taken into account accordingly. It's better to let your dog snack healthily and praise them with a pat rather than overdoing it with treats.
If you are planning to change your dog's diet, please do so gradually. Abrupt changes can lead to diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting in your dog. It is best to gradually mix more and more of the new food into the old food until the old food is completely replaced.
There is even dog food for specific needs or illnesses that can only be purchased from a veterinary practice. Common special foods available from veterinary practices are available for dogs with:
If you would like expert advice on nutrition, please contact your vet. They will be happy to advise you. You can make an appointment for individual nutritional advice directly via petsXL.
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