| Before the advent of ready made dog food, when | | | | nutritional and digestive needs of dogs. Spices, fats, |
| humans first domesticated dogs, we fed them scraps | | | | and fillers in human food often makes dogs ill.Adult |
| from our meals. Those early dogs did just fine on that | | | | dogs should be fed two meals each day. Puppies |
| type of dog food. As our affection for dogs has | | | | need to eat more often. They should be fed puppy |
| grown over the centuries, so has our understanding of | | | | food three to four meals daily until they are 12 weeks |
| what our canine companions need to eat as food, to | | | | old, then three meals daily until they are six months old. |
| live long healthy lives. Research conducted by | | | | Many dog trainers advise against leaving dog food or |
| veterinarians and dog food manufacturers over the | | | | puppy food available all day, to prevent dogs |
| last decade have revealed more specific details about | | | | developing picky eating habits. They suggest you allow |
| what a dog's diet should contain.Your dog food must | | | | 20 minutes for each meal. After this time, whatever |
| be appropriate for her size, age, state of health and | | | | has not been eaten should be picked up. Dry dog food |
| activity level. As you stroll the isles of pet supply stores | | | | can be held until the next meal, but moist food should |
| or grocery stores, you'll find a variety of dog food | | | | be thrown away. It is very important to make sure |
| brands in a wide range of prices. A good basic rule of | | | | your dog has plenty of clean water available at a all |
| thumb is to buy the highest quality dog food you can | | | | times.The amount of dog food you feed your dog |
| afford. If you buy the cheapest food because you | | | | depends on her age, weight and activity level. Check |
| have a big dog that eats a lot, you must understand | | | | the back of food or with your veterinarian to get an |
| that what you save in food will affect your pet's | | | | idea of how much your dog should be eating. Monitor |
| health.It is important that your dog always eats some | | | | your dog's weight by running your hands along the |
| dry dog food. The crunchy pieces help keep her teeth | | | | sides of her body. If she is at the right weight, you will |
| clean and her gums healthy, and provide necessary | | | | be able to feel her ribs without pressing. If you can't |
| fiber. If you choose to give your dog moist dog food in | | | | feel her ribs, she is gaining weight and you should either |
| addition to dry, use it sparingly; a small spoonful mixed | | | | slightly decrease the amount of food or increase the |
| with warm water makes a good gravy over dry | | | | amount of exercise she gets. If you can easily see |
| kibble. Some devoted dog lovers feed their pets | | | | your dog's ribs, she is underweight (except in certain |
| home-cooked food. Dog-specific recipes can be found | | | | breeds).Article By Andrew Strachan. Find lots more |
| on the Internet and in books, but understand that this is | | | | information about dog food and different types of |
| not just giving your dog leftovers from your own | | | | dogs at Lots of help and advice too. |
| meals. Homemade dog food is designed to meet the | | | | |