What Your Dog Eats: Does it Matter?

All dogs are different just like we are. Some dogs may need a food that helps promote healthy skin and coat, others might require a diet made specifically for aging dogs. But, what if your dog seems to be healthy, is there any need to be concerned about what you feed him?

Regardless of how healthy a dog seems to be, there are certain things that every owner should know about food and the effect it has on our pets. To help you better understand the influence of your dogs diet, take a look at the following explanations of the different ways that food can impact their health and well being.

Digestion

Dogs digest food differently than we do. That's why in the wild, they don't eat macaroni & cheese or donuts. They may look cute begging for the food on your plate, but your doing them a favor by not feeding them scraps. If dogs are allowed to consistently eat from our plates, they are more likely to gain weight, which can put them at greater risk to develop conditions like diabetes. Aside from weight gain, the food we eat can create digestive discomfort and complications for our pets.

Cheap Dog Food

Dog food can definitely be costly, and with the ever-increasing need to cut back on spending, we often end up buying the cheapest dog food available. It's not that all low cost dog foods are bad, but many of them can create uncomfortable problems for our pets.

One of the greatest issues with the cheaper brands of dog food is allergies and skin conditions. Some of the ingredients in these foods can cause severe itching, burning, hair loss, drying and cracking, a foul odor, and can even cause the skin to blacken and fall off. Some of the ingredients you'll want to avoid are meat by products, artificial colors and flavors, wheat gluten, and bone meal. (For a more extensive list of unhealthy and healthy ingredients in dog food, see the link on the left listed under resources). Check the dog food package for these ingredients before purchasing.

It's also important to remember that switching back and forth between dog foods or constantly changing the food your dog eats can also create problems for your pet. It's best to find a brand that works, and stick with it. Always gradually introduce a new food into your pet's diet. Most food packages will tell you the appropriate amount of the new food to add to your dog's old food each week.

Wet Dog Food

Not all wet food is bad, but it can be a problem for some pets if they eat a diet of only canned wet food. The reason is because, most owners do not brush their dogs teeth. When dogs eat dry food, they have to chew it and it grinds against the teeth, helping to break down build up on the teeth and gums. Wet food does not require much chewing, and it ends up sticking to the teeth. Since our pets don't usually receive the proper oral hygiene care, this can lead to dental problems.

These are all things you'll want to consider when deciding what to feed your dog. However, since all pets are different, it's best that you speak with a veterinarian when trying to decide what the best diet is for your pet. They'll be able to assess all the issues involved and come up with an appropriate plan.