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Selecting the right food for your puppy or dog
2nd July 2019
Meat forms a large part of a dog’s diet, but they are not strictly carnivores. They also require grains, fruit and vegetables in order to have a healthy balanced diet. Your dog’s preferences, breed and age will be a factor in determining what to feed them.
Puppy food
A specialist puppy food will include everything your puppy needs to grow healthy and strong. Puppies are always on the go, so they need a diet which will give them plenty of energy. Puppy food contains lots of protein and grains like rice, as well as vitamin C and E for general health, and calcium and phosphorus for healthy teeth and bones.
Senior dog food
Older dogs don’t tend to move around as much as younger dogs, so they need a diet low in fat with fewer calories. For senior dogs suffering from arthritis, their food should contain fatty acids and omega-3 to help reduce inflammation. Large breeds might need this type of food at an earlier age to smaller breeds as they become senior at a younger age and are more likely to suffer joint problems when they are younger.
Dry food
Many owners will choose to feed their dog dry food as it’s the most convenient and cost effective. Dry food is easy to store and will last longer after the packet has been opened compared to wet food. Dry food benefits a dog’s oral health – the crunching and chewing can help to reduce the build-up of plaque on their teeth.
Wet dog food
Wet food has it’s benefits as it may be more appealing to your dog. It is also considered to be more nutritional than dry food as it is less processed. Wet food will spoil much more quickly than dry food, so if your dog tends to graze feed and they are a small breed, you could give them a SureFeed bowl to keep their food fresher. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder has the added benefit of keeping other pets out of their food.
Dog treats
Giving dogs too many food treats and dinner scraps can lead to overeating and weight problems. If your dog is overweight, consider giving them alternative treats, such as a cuddle, a toy or a game.
