How to Properly Feed Your Dogs

Just like humans, our dogs also have daily nutritional needs. As fur parents, we want to make sure that we are always getting our fur babies the right nutrients they need. Whether you’re a first-time fur parent, or not, knowing the dog food basics is essential and a must.

We have gathered six of the most common questions many dog owners have about properly feeding their fur babies.

"Most veterinarians agree that as long as your dog has no special dietary needs, it does not matter whether you feed them dry or wet dog food."

Does It Matter Whether I Feed My Dog Dry or Wet Food?

Most veterinarians agree that as long as your dog has no special dietary needs, it does not matter whether you feed them dry or wet dog food. Both are perfectly nutritious.

Is It Perfectly Fine to Make My Dog’s Food Myself?

As a matter of fact, yes! It’s perfectly fine to make your dog’s food yourself. Just make sure that the food you prepare for your dog contains all the right nutrients they need. If you want to try this option, it is advised to consult with your vet first to make sure that your dog’s diet sufficiently meets all of its nutritional needs.

Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide your dog with tasty supplements, Multifunctional SoftSupps^®. Pet Parents^® Multifunctional SoftSupps^® help promote powerful daily health support for your dog. These soft multivitamin chews contain branded ‘Super Ingredients’, like PurforMSM^®, that go through a proprietary process. These ingredients increase the supplement efficacy and are more effective than commonly used basic forms of ingredients. The variety of vitamins included also helps provide antioxidant support for your furbaby.

How Much Food Does My Dog Need?

Feeding your dog is more than just putting some dog food in their bowl and letting them eat it. Something that is often overlooked is feeding dogs less of the amount of food than they need, which could result in malnourishment. While too much food can lead to obesity, each triggering many related health issues.

The amount of food to feed your dog daily depends on several factors, namely the type of food you’re giving them, the number of meals they need to have every day, their daily activity level, body weight, and metabolic rate. A dog food calculator from Dog Food Advisor can help you in determining the recommended number of calories per day your dog needs. Most dog food labels today provide charts explaining how much food you should feed your dog daily according to its weight. It is advised to regularly check your dog’s weight and readjust the portion you give them.

The amount of food your furbaby needs may change if:

How Often Should I Feed My Dog?

Most veterinarians would recommend twice a day feeding for adult dogs. Puppies, on the other hand, should be fed three to four times a day as they need food more often to prevent low blood sugar and to meet their relatively high energy activities. However, it is best to talk to your vet about an appropriate feeding schedule for your furbaby.

Is It Safe for My Dog to Eat Human Food?

Feeding your dog with human food is considered a bad idea and should not be tolerated for several reasons. A dogs’ digestive system is different from a human’s. Human food is typically too rich and fatty for dogs to properly digest and can cause them to vomit and develop diarrhea and other serious diseases.

Another problem that may arise when you regularly feed your dog with human food is that it encourages begging behaviors. Some dogs may even start refusing to eat dog food when they get used to eating human food. Here are some human foods to avoid feeding your furbaby, according to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

How About Dog Treats and Snacks?

When it comes to giving your dog treats and snacks, it is important to remember the “10% Rule”. They should never make up more than about 10 percent of your dog's daily calorie intake and should only be treated as supplements to their diet.

A better option is to provide your furbaby with Gnawtlers^®. Gnawtlers^® are premium elk and antler chews that are jam-packed with nutrients. The marrow on the inside of the antler chews is packed with calcium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc. Your dog will gain added nutrients just by chewing!

"Pet Parents^® Multivitamins SoftSupps^® help promote powerful daily health support for your dog."

In addition to all of these, it’s also advised to stick to a fixed feeding schedule to train your dog when food is coming to prevent them from begging.

Remember that making sure that your dog is always getting the right nutrients means properly and effectively managing their weight, protecting them from chronic diseases, strengthening their immune system, delaying the onset of their aging, and supporting their mental well-being.