Table Scraps in Your Dog's Diet is Bad News For You'er Dog

By Kelvin Williams
This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding you'r dogs diet. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about.

We have all done it. Our cute, little furry friend is practically smiling at us from beneath the kitchen table. The ears are perked and the tail is wagging. We know what our dog is after. Just a tiny tidbit from dinner would be delightful, right. What could it hurt? It is just a bite or two after all.

Hold Fido's ears he will not want to hear this. A dog's diet really should not contain table scraps. People food is just that...for people. A dog's nutritional needs are not the same as a human's. Sure, we eat some of the same things, but feeding your pet from the table is one of the biggest mistakes for your pet. A dog's diet doesn't require all the added goodies we put into our meals.

People have problems with obesity. A dog can have this problem, as well. If your dog's diet consists mostly of scraps from the dinner table, chances are high that your dog will have trouble maintaining a healthy weight. Even a few pounds over weight can really make a difference in the quality and length of your pet's life. Curb the begging and stick to your guns. You can see that there's practical value in learning more about your dog's diet. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?

When you have a dog who is not a picky eater, it can be tempting to let your pet be the garbage disposal in the home, but really, this is not a good idea. Certain people foods can harm your dog and should never be a part of your dog's diet. Grapes, for example, have been known to cause serious problems for dogs, even death. Chicken bones and popcorn can also be a problem for your dog. Permitting large quantities of chocolate can be dangerous in a dog's diet.

A poor diet even shows up out in the yard. When your dog's diet is not at its best, your pet's outputs will be greater in size, smell, and mess. Benefits of choosing a healthy diet for your dog will be noticeable in your pet's health, as well as, during those walks around the block.

There are a few occasions when a supplement or treat from the kitchen may be alright, but never in excess. Talk to your veterinarian about healthy snacks for your dog's diet. If you simply must continue feeding Fido at the table, many vets recommend you give your pet ice cubes or pieces of carrot to munch on between scheduled feeding times. Providing your pet these healthy alternatives to pizza and cupcakes gives you the freedom to choose a healthy and nutritious snack for your dog's diet.

So, the next time your beloved pet starts eyeing your grub, redirect his or her attention. Don't reach for your fatty steak or chicken leg. Instead, toss your buddy a cool, refreshing ice cube to bat around and munch on. A couple of baby carrots will keep Fido happy and leave you feeling good about your choices for the nutritional value of your dog's diet. You will know that you are doing your best to maintain a high-quality diet for your pet.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what's important about your dog's diet.

For More Info. Go to Our Website at Information Unlimited

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Dogs Health

By Kelvin Williams
So what is a Dog's Diet really all about? The following report includes some fascinating information about your Dog's Diet --info you can use, not just the old stuff they used to tell you.

Your dog is your very best friend. Every single time you walk through the door your dog is so happy to see you that he wags his tail and practically smiles at you. How can you show your pet how much they mean to you? Well, one way is to take care of that smile for your pet. Did you know that your dog's diet can influence their oral health?

Humans need to brush and floss their teeth regularly to keep their teeth, tongue, and gums in good condition. Research has recently shown a link between good oral health in humans and a lower risk of heart disease. If good oral health can have such a profound affect on people, then it only makes sense to consider the impact it can have on man's best friend.

It is important to brush your dog's teeth frequently to keep plaque and tartar from becoming an issue. Even wiping his gums with a clean, damp cloth can be beneficial.

Your dog's diet also plays a role in your pet's oral health. Do you typically feed your dog canned or dry dog food? What kind of treats and toys do you provide for your pet? All of these things can affect the likelihood of trouble with your pet's teeth.

When your dog's diet is nutritionally sound, containing essential vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes, your pet's oral health will be at its very best. Feeding dry dog food rather than a moist canned variety is best for your dog. The tiny kibbles' hard surface rubs against the teeth to remove and reduce plaque. The simple act of moistening the dry dog food with water or gravy eliminates this property from dry dog food. Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

The treats you give your pet are part of your dog's diet just like snacks are part of a person's diet. As humans, we tend to want to overlook our snacking habits, so it can be easy to overlook the treats you give your dog. This is not a good idea. Carefully consider any and all items your dog will consume.

Do you give your dog bones, rawhides, jerky treats, or dog biscuits? Maybe your pet prefers greenies or corn starch chews. You may not have considered it, but tossing Spot a rawhide chew is like giving him a candy bar. The rawhide, for example, contains calories and is often provided between meals.

Many of the treats and snacks you provide in your dog's diet can be just empty wasted calories. Some treats, alternatively, provide excellent opportunity to improve oral health. Greenies, rawhides, bones, and hard dog biscuits all help to keep tartar at bay. The softer snacks, such as jerky treats, do not provide much relief from plaque. The healthy treat, on occasion, will also prevent your dog from having bad breath.

Your dog's diet must be healthy to ensure excellent oral health. Dry dog food is best whenever possible. Don't forget to select treats for your pet that will enhance your dog's diet. Consciously monitoring your dog's diet will positively influence your best friend's oral health.

This article's coverage of the information is as complete as it can be today. But you should always leave open the possibility that future research could uncover new facts.

We are a small group of individuals that gather informative information. In hope of help you make better decisions in your everyday Life.

Post by Kelvin Williams

http://information-unlimited.blogspot.com/2007/12/dogs-diet-influences-oral-health.html

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Choosing Dog Food That Doesn’t Cut Your Dog’s Life Short

By:

Choosing the right kind of food for your dog can be a DAUNTING task... with so many pictures of smiling puppies and fancy labels staring back at you, how do you make an informed choice?

Well it's not that hard really, if you know what you're looking for. Here are my 5 essential tips for choosing the right of food for your dog:

1. Forget about brand names.

A bigger name brand does NOT equal better quality. In fact, the reverse is probably more true, but we won’t get into that right now.

2. Put Your Emotions Aside!

What do I mean by this? Simply, ignore the cute little dogs licking their lips and the ones with big grins on their faces. Do not buy based on how NICE or CUTE the packaging is. I know it sounds stupid to buy dog food based on the cool packing, but it's so easy to do. I've been guilty of this myself more than once.

3. Look at the ingredients

A dog's diet typically consists of 40% meat, 30% fiber and 30% starch. Next time you're in a store, pick up a tin of dog food (or look at one you've brought previously). Then take a look at the ingredient list.

The first ingredient on that list is the primary ingredient - so make sure it's a form of meat protein such as chicken, beef, etc (NOT meat by-products) Make sure the rest of the ingredients include a good amount of fiber and starch.

Also, the fewer preservatives the better.

4. Choose Super Premium Brand dog food or Premium Brand.

Do NOT choose Economy Brand dog foods. These are the ones you'll see in your general store. Go to pet stores and buy the quality stuff there. Buying a Premium or Super Premium dog food can literally add years to your dog's life.

I was in a big supermarket yesterday, one of those monster chain types, and I ventured down the pet food isle. (I always buy my dog food at the pet store).

Follow these rules next time you're shopping for dog food and I guarantee your dog will thank you for it!

Article Source: http://www.cajun101.com


Ethan K. Roberts is an avid dog lover and runs several dog food websites. For more advice on the best types of dog food, visit www.best-dog-food.info today. Note to publishers: You are free to re-publish this article in it's entirety, as long as nothing is changed and this resource box is left 100% intact and links are hyperlinked.