The Best Diet for Dogs

As human beings, we know that what we eat affects our health, our energy levels and the way we feel from day to day. It only makes sense that the same is true for man's best friend. There are many factors to take into account when choosing the best diet for your dog, such as age, weight and activity level.

  1. Premium Food

    • Dog food is one area where you get what you pay for. Instead of skimping to save money, opt for a premium dog food. Premium dog food is more filling for your furry friend and has more nutritional value. Due to a higher nutritional value, your dog will be sick less often, and you may even help prolong her life span.

    Fresh Food

    • Nothing beats fresh, homemade food, for humans or for our best friends. The freshest food you can serve your dog is one of raw meats, raw eggs, carrots and green leafy vegetables.
      If you are not the type of dog owner to make your pup healthy fresh meals every day, don't worry. You can purchase fresh foods to serve your dog. You can determine fresh dog food by reading the label. You can tell how fresh a food is by the temperature it has been cooked at. The hotter the temperature used to cook the food, the least fresh the food will be. A good indication of food cooked at high temperatures is if the label uses the term "meal." That means that it contains an animal product, but that it has been cooked at extremely high temperatures.
      In general, homemade dog meals are the freshest, followed by frozen raw foods and freeze-dried foods, which are specially made meals for dogs sold by pet stores and online. Following frozen foods in freshness are canned foods and dry food.

    A Variety of Food

    • For optimal nutritional health, it is good to feed your dog a variety of foods. Like humans, dogs get a more rounded, nutrient-filled diet from a range of foods. Mix up your dog's meals by adding in fresh foods, frozen foods, canned foods and dry kibble into each meal.

    Additional Tips

    • The best way to gauge the health of your dog's diet is by observation. Your dog should have a healthy and shiny coat, and she should have high energy levels. Your dog should also be a healthy weight when she is on a good diet. At a healthy weight, your dog's back should not be flat, but sloped on each side. You should also be able to feel her ribs through her skin.

      You should not feed your dog dairy products, chocolate, grapes or sugary foods.