Nutrition

You are what you eat – and the same goes for your dog.

If you eat a low quality diet or consume too much food, chances are you are going to put on weight and not feel so good. When a dog is showing stress or anxiety based behaviors such as aggression or is highly reactive and unable to settle in certain situations, the first thing to look into after taking the dog for a thorough medical check-up, is what the dog is eating.

Just like with humans, pet obesity is a growing epidemic around the world, and it is causing previously limited health issues to become more and more common. A dog’s nutrition is critical to his overall well-being, and is even more important if you have a dog that participates in dog sports, or is highly active. Even an inactive dog will benefit from proper nutrition.

Just as you would not feed a child fast food every day, you should not consistently feed your dog low-quality food. Do your research on dog food brands and make sure that the food you choose is free of by-products, fillers, additives, and artificial colors and preservatives.

Some dogs may have food sensitivities and allergies, so talk with your veterinarian if you need advice on a nutrition program for your dog. Others may benefit from a raw food or BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). You must do your research and consult with your veterinarian to determine which type of food is best for your dog.

 

Related Reading:

• Wise Food Choices
• New Year’s Dog Diet Resolution: I Resolve for My Dog to Eat Better in the New Year
• Are You Poisoning Your Companion Animal By Feeding Feed-Grade Food?