The Benefits of Commercial Diets for Your Dog
Do you occasionally give your best friend a treat from the table or a rawhide to chew? These treats may seem like a simple snack or tidbit, but they really can add up. You may not have considered it before, but any and all treats that you give your pet are a part of your dog’s diet. The question now becomes, how significant are treats in your dog’s diet? Do you give your dog a treat once a day in the evening while watching television, or do you scatter Milk Bones throughout the day for each cute look or adorable pet trick?
Your dog views a treat as just that, a special treat between meals. For the most part, dog’s don’t care if you give them a baby carrot, rawhide chew, or Milk Bone. They are happy to get the snack. If you find you provide numerous treats during the course of the day, you may need to modify your dog’s diet to avoid maintaining a healthy weight. Giving your pet a whole bunch of treats sure is fun for both you and your dog, but can lead to serious health troubles.
Looking at the Importance of a Feeding Schedule in Your Dog’s Diet
Depending on your dog’s age and health, you will want to devise a feeding schedule that supports your dog’s diet and nutritional needs. Adult dogs may only need to eat at one time during the day, but two mealtimes are preferred.
Senior dogs rarely need to vary from the typical adult dog feeding schedule, although the dog’s dietary needs change over time.
Even the treats you hand out as part of your dog’s diet will become part of your dog’s daily routine. If your dog knows that every morning just before your lunch, you offer a chew bone, he or she will await the daily ritual.
Establishing a feeding schedule helps to keep your dog’s diet on track. It is easy to get in the habit of feeding your dog regularly. Plus, scheduled feeding times will help to predict your dog’s elimination schedule. When you are potty training a puppy or housebreaking an adult, it can be helpful to have an idea of when your dog needs to go out. Maintaining a healthy diet and feeding schedule will make your job much easier. This is also very useful when traveling with your pet. If you know to expect your dog’s elimination schedule, you will be able to plan appropriate potty stops. In addition, you will know if your dog is feeling stress by changes to his schedule. Try to maintain normalcy and routine as much as possible.
The Proper Way to Switch Your Dog’s Diet
When consulting with your vet about the change to your dog’s diet, you will want to consider all of your options. Upon making the final decision, you will want to make the change gradually and over time. Do not stop feeding one type of diet on Sunday evening and begin a completely new regimen on Monday morning. Such a drastic change will undoubtedly create some serious results.
Day 1 of the switch you would feed your dog 3 and 1/4 cup of the original kibble and 1/4 cup of the new dog diet. This total amount should be portioned between the number of meals during the day. Day 2 you would feed 3 cups of the original diet and 1/2 cup of the new diet. On day number 14, your dog’s diet will have been completely changed over.
Your vet can best educate you on when and why to switch your dog’s diet. Unless otherwise directed, proper method for changing your dog’s diet takes time. The gradual change will reduce the stress and change to your dog’s system and digestive tract. Whenever a diet is working well for your dog, it is best to leave your dog’s diet alone. Consistency is helpful to maintain your dog’s ultimate health potential.
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