Feeding your dog an appropriate amount of a well-balanced diet is vital to their overall health. To understand how and what to feed your dog, you need to understand what the nutritional requirements of the dog are.
One thing all dogs have in common is their need for a complete and balanced diet. A complete and balanced diet means that your dog is receiving the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, fibre and other key nutrients. These types of diets help to avoid health problems and avoid diseases like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and of course obesity.
Choosing the Right Diet for Your Dog
It is important when choosing dog food for your dog to avoid generic diets that have too many fillers and too little nutritional value. Our experienced veterinarians at The Dog Hospital of Brampton are able to assist in recommending a diet that is ideal for your dog and we are also able to assist you in providing a special prescription diet if the need arises.
Getting Off On the Right Paw
A puppy requires a great deal of proper nutrition to get through their first year happy and healthy. In order to get the right amount of nutrients for growth and development, it is important to feed them a diet specifically designed for puppies until they have stopped growing.
As a puppy becomes an adult dog, their nutritional and energy needs change. Your growing dog’s diets should contain more carefully balanced ingredients, such as vitamins and antioxidants that are vital for preventing disease.
As your dog slows down in their later years, their nutritional needs change again. Premium diets targeted to the needs of older dogs contain fewer calories, yet just the right balance of essential nutrients.
The Dog Hospital of Brampton can work with your on a nutritional plan for all stages of your dog’s life.
The Dangers of Obesity
Obesity is one of the leading causes of shorting your dog’s life span. However, feeding your dog the correct diet greatly helps to prevent obesity. Our veterinarians can help you determine if your pet is overweight and work on a plan in alleviating the issue.
One way to preliminarily access on your own if your dog may be overweight is to gently press down on your dog’s rib cage. You should feel a thin layer of fat, which allows you to feel and see the ribs easily. If you feel a thick layer of fat or have to press down really hard to feel the ribs, it is a good indication that your dog may be overweight or obese. If this is the case it is a good idea to book an appointment and have your dog assessed by one of our veterinarians.
Your dog’s nutritional needs are principal to a long and healthy life. Together with the help of our veterinarians, we can develop a well-balanced nutritional program that will help to ensure a happy and healthy dog! Call or email to schedule your appointment today.