During the current times that we are living in, having to face the pandemic and all the rules and regulations that are surrounding it, has made life somewhat uncomfortable for a lot of people. Those who were once used to a morning routine of getting up bright and early, getting dressed, and going into the office have now had to stay at home and build their work from home offices.
The overall effect of the pandemic has affected many people’s mental health as well. According to statistics and research covered by the Mental Health Foundation Longitudinal Study, in the UK alone, almost a quarter of the adults living under the lockdown rules have felt lonely and depressed, that is over 24% of the population. Click here to find out more.
Many have tried different things like staying active, meditation, going for walks, staying busy, to get over the loneliness, while others have taken a more effortless route of adopting pets, and giving them a home, and as a way of offering some companionship at the same time. Pets can be fun, and they can also be a responsibility. So, before you decide you know everything about them and their diets, keep reading to find out that it is not a ‘one size fits all’ pet.
We look at the most important aspect – Nutrition. Just like how we as humans have our tastes and preferences. Some of us are vegan or vegetarian, while others love their meat. Some like greens and others hate them. It is the same for animals. Not all animals love wet pet food and not all can handle dry food either. This is why to avoid them getting health problems and keeping them healthy for longer, you need to consider several things.
When it comes to feeding time, and it will also depend on whether you have brought home a puppy or a full-sized dog. This guide will indulge you with all the necessary information you need to create a custom meal plan for your pooch, in no time. It is all in the nutrients and below we have included some vital information regarding this.
Diet and Nutrition
The perfect diet for dogs does exist., and any pet owner who tells you otherwise, needs to read this guide. Just like a pro-athlete needs to eat certain foods and follow a certain diet rich in specific nutrients, dogs need the same special considerations too.
First of all, not all food you buy in pet stores is made up of the highest standards. If you had to read the list of ingredients in some of the dogs’ foods, you would frown. Unfortunately, not all pet owners know what is in the canned food they give their pets.
Why is there Sodium Hexametaphosphate in pet food? Do you know about food dyes in your canine treats? Or perhaps the Taurine present in that Red Bull energy drink is also in your puppy’s meal? This information here will shock you: https://www.eatthis.com/bad-dog-food-ingredients/
As mentioned above, not all pet food is created the same. Some lack important nutrients while others are full of fillers that contribute to obesity in your puppy and you never know why that is. You waste your money buying the cheap stuff, only to end up harming your canine in the process.
When looking for the best food for pets, you should always look for the ones that have a balance of a few nutrients, vitamins, and minerals such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that support your dog’s immune system, bones, skin, and fur. Those that are dense in nutrients should be your go-to. This is one way of starting the perfect meal plan for them and will keep them fit and healthy and also maintain a healthy weight.
Nutrients for A Puppy
If you have come home with a puppy, there are also a few things to consider because, for one, you cannot give them grown-up food. Much like we cannot give our babies a bone of chicken to eat. The rule of thumb when giving a puppy’s food is not to give them any bones that are smaller than their head, because it could harm them and cause choking.
Three of the main things little dogs do is eat, play, and sleep for most of the day. However, their growing stage is one of the most important ones to train them, not just in their behavior but also in their diet. They are still establishing a gut biome, so you need to be very careful what you give them to eat so that they grow into fully healthy dogs.
Buying just anything for them to eat so they get filled up will not yield a strong healthy dog with a shiny coat, instead, they will be full of health problems, causing you to have to take them to the veterinary clinic constantly. No good pet owner would want that. There are many food brands in pet stores that have everything from healthy filling food packed with nutrients and for a reasonable price like Hungry Bark premium dog food, and you can get everything from treats to nutrient-dense meals.
When creating a meal plan for the puppy, make sure the item or items you buy for them contain the following. It could mean buying several different products like a main canned food meal coupled with some treats throughout the day or sticking to one product that has it all:
- 0 .7-17% calcium
- 10-25% fat
- 22-32% protein
- + 20% carbohydrates
Feeding Schedules for Adult and Puppy Dogs
Puppies of small dog breeds, for example, beagles, certain terriers, dachshund, and corgis, usually grow very fast, they reach their maturity within the first 9 months compared to the larger breed dogs like Labradors, German shepherds, and border collies. This means once they hit the 9-month mark, they should be slowly weaned off their puppy food and start giving them grown-up food.
If the dog is of a large breed then they usually get to maturity after 2 years, until which time you can feed them puppy food. So anytime they are 24 months old, their diet can remain the same, but thereafter will need to change to more sustainable adult dog food.
Raising a puppy may not be as easy as it seems but having the right knowledge can make it palatable. It is a case of knowing what to give them and what not to give them, and at what times of the day or night to feed them. Some owners prefer one big meal in the evening and snacks or treats throughout the day, while others will give them 3 small meals a day.
This is also something to consider and should be discussed with your vet depending on the breed, size, habits, and nutritional needs of the dog.
If you provide them with a good foundation, including their diet, and training, the rest will be a breeze and you and your pooch will be happier and healthier in the long run, saving you from all the extra time and money going back and forth to the vet, having to treat his unfavorable health conditions.
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