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Health Extension Dog Food Article

Dogs Need Good Food Too - Your Guide to Your Dog's Diet

Dogs' nutritional needs may differ from ours. What we deem as healthy for us might not be sufficient or appropriate for them. To give your dog the best nutrition available you will have to understand their specific needs and how to address them. Taking care of man's best friend does take a little preparation and know-how.

Your dog needs the essential nutrients to grow, go, and glow. If your dog does not receive proper nutrients it may result in poor health, stunted growth, lethargy and shortened lifespan.

Dogs, like most animal life forms, need the six basic nutrients for survival: carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients serve different functions in sustaining the health and well-being of your dog. This guide will elaborate on dogs' need of these nutrients.

1. Proteins: the building blocks of your dog's health Proteins are chemicals made of amino acids. Your dog can produce some of these chemicals in their own bodies. The rest has to be supplied through food. The best sources of these amino acids are meat and its byproducts. Dogs can extract proteins from these sources a lot easier than it would with plant sources.

Choose feeds that have an adequate amount of protein in them to help your puppies and working dogs grow. Too much of this, however, may cause kidney problems and has been known to cause temperament problems.

2. Fats: delivering other nutrients to the body Fat sound like a bad word - everyone tries to avoid it because it causes tons of health problems. Dogs, however, just like man, also have a need for these nutrients - albeit in a moderate amount.

The right amount of fat is needed to promote good skin health, and to transport fat-soluble vitamins. Fats are also essential to kidney function and reproductive health. They make food tastier too. Too much fat will result in obesity and lethargy.

3. Carbohydrates: doggie fuel Fifty percent of your dog's diet should consist of carbohydrates since they need it for their energy. Corn is one of the more popular sources of this nutrient, along with soybeans. If this source is clean and of good nutritional quality then that should be fine as well.

4. Vitamins and Minerals: keeping your dog healthy It would have been easier if your dog only had to splurge on vitamins and minerals to get optimal health. However, the opposite is true. Your dog needs an exact amount of vitamins and minerals to be healthy. Although, your dog may receive these nutrients from food, vitamin supplements for your dogs could be helpful. Specially formulated commercial feeds also make it easier for dog owners to give their dogs good nutrition.

About the author:



Jay is the web owner of http://www.dog-training-tips.org Dog Training Tips, a website that provides information and resources on dog training, puppy training, and more. You can also visit his website at: http://www.petmall.us Pet Mall for pet supplies.

Written by: Jay Bauder


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Health Extension Dog Food Article

Keeping a dog's fur healthy and looking great isn't as difficult as you think. It does take some work to keep it in good condition but it is definitely worth the effort. With a little extra work you can make your dog's coat shine but also protect his skin from disease.

Dietary changes you can try Your dog's skin and coat are linked to their diet and nutrition. Due to this, many skin conditions and coat problems can be treated through homeopathic dietary methods. Fatty acids are essential when trying to enhance your dog's hair coat condition and tissue repair. You can try the method of raw egg on their kibble, but nowadays you have several dog supplements available that can help you increase your dog's coat and skin health. Salmon Oil is an excellent source of fatty acids and oils that will benefit your dog's coat and also their arteries and immune system. Additionally you can find products that will enhance your dog's coat and help prevent shedding. Cod liver oil is an essential ingredient in this type of dog nutritional supplement as well as garlic, soybeans and crude proteins that help promote healthy skin and fur. To keep your dog´s coat glossy, add a teaspoon of vegetable oil to your dog´s food. Safflower, canola, corn or soybean oils are options to consider.

Grooming your dog It is important that you bathe your dog every so often to keep the skin clean. However bathing your dog too often can cause problems to the skin, specifically robbing the dog's skin of essential oils. One bath a month, after the age of six months is good enough to keep a healthy look to the fur and skin. Veterinary dermatologists suggest bathing your dog at most once a week, but only if you are using specific shampoo designed for your dog. There are many different kinds of shampoo and conditioners that help keep the skin healthy, but some do other things as well. Many protect against flees, while some keep the fur shiny and strong. It is best to consult your veterinarian before starting any bathing. If your dog develops an itch or skin irritation it is most likely because you are bathing him or her too much and should reduce the amount of baths your are giving. Otherwise it is recommended that you keep your dog's fur clean and healthy.

Trimming your dog's fur is another way of keeping the skin and fur healthy and still looking great. In warmer climates a long coat can cause skin irritation and skin disease, as well as keep your dog's energy at a minimum due to extreme heat. Trimming the fur down a little bit will help keep the dog cool and help prevent skin irritation.

You can purchase any grooming supplies from your local pet store and same with the shampoo. Consulting your veterinarian is always important before purchasing anything. I hope this summary offers you a brief understanding of how and what you need to do to keep your dog's fur and skin in good condition.

About the author:

Cindy Frendo runs her own puppy training and dog training school from her hometown of Ottawa, Canada. She also runs her own website at puppytrainingrevealed.com

Written by: Cindy Frendo


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