Instructions
Feed your dog foods that contain protein. Foods such as chicken, lamb or salmon contain sufficient amounts of protein and will assist in forming your dog's muscles and maintain healthy skin, fur, enzymes, blood and hormones. An adult dog should be fed dog food that contains 18 percent protein, while a growing puppy requires a dog food containing 28 percent protein.
Monitor your dog's consumption of fats. Fats offer fuel to your dog that it needs to stay active. A lazy dog is not a healthy dog, but too much fat can make for an overweight pet, which is not healthy either. While fats are a source of vitamins for your dog, moderation is key. Don't feed your dog scraps of fat; instead give it meat containing natural fat.
Ensure your dog receives carbohydrates. Carbs are normally found in cereals, rice and pasta. Your dog may not be up for eating those options, however. If you are feeding your dog dry commercial dog food, almost all contain anywhere from 30 and 70 percent carbohydrates, which will provide energy and assist in the digestive process.
Maintain a balance of minerals and vitamins in your dog's diet. Just like humans, dogs require a mixture of both minerals and vitamins in order to stay healthy. Dogs require calcium and phosphorous in order maintain strong bones and teeth, a healthy fluid balance and assist in metabolic processes. Important vitamins to be included in a dog's diet include vitamin A, D, E and K. Unlike humans, dogs do not require vitamin B or C.
Keep a fresh supply of water available to your dog at all times. While the amount of water a dog requires depends on the temperature, the amount of exercise your dog gets, and whether or not you are feeding the dog canned or dried food, it should always be on hand. Your dog knows when it needs water and if it is available, it will search it out on its own.
How to Feed Your Dog a Healthy & Proper Diet
Dogs, like humans, need to eat a proper healthy and balanced diet in order to ensure a long healthy life. Dogs, however, have different nutritional needs than humans. While humans are encouraged to eat fruits and vegetables, dogs don't have the same need for the vitamins and minerals offered by those foods. In fact, feeding a dog human's scraps can hinder a dog's overall health more than help it.