Page 312 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CARE AND TRAINING | A BALANCED DIET

A balanced diet

Dogs need more than just meat—they need a healthy, balanced diet
and the right quantity for their size. Most people buy preprepared
dog food, but you can make your own if you prefer.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS They are the source of vitamins A, D, E, and seniors, and pregnant or lactating females.
A good diet should provide all of the K, and are found in meat, oily fish, and in Their nutritional values are clearly defined
nutrients that a dog needs and must contain oils such as linseed oil and sunflower oil. and they are easy to use. However, these
these elements: ■ Fiber—found in potatoes, vegetables, and foods can contain ingredients such as
■ Proteins—the “building blocks” of cells, rice, fiber helps to bulk out food and slow preservatives and flavorings that may
proteins help to build muscles and repair the your dog’s digestion, allowing more time to disagree with some dogs. Check the labels.
body. Lean meat, eggs, and cheese are good absorb nutrients and making it easier for
sources of proteins. him to pass feces. NATURAL FOODS
■ Fats—high in energy and making food ■ Vitamins and minerals—these help to Instead of feeding your dog on a packaged
more tasty, fats also contain essential fatty maintain your dog’s body structures, such diet, you can prepare a homemade natural
acids that help to maintain cell walls and aid as skin, bones, and blood cells, and support diet in the form of raw meat. You will also
growth and wound healing in your dog. the chemical reactions that turn food into need to add cooked vegetables and starchy
energy or enable vital body functions such foods such as rice to provide fiber. Check
as blood clotting. with your vet to find out if you need to add
DOG TREATS ■ Water—as with humans, water is essential vitamin supplements.
for your dog’s life. Make sure your dog has This diet is closer to how a dog might eat
Many dog owners give extra-tasty foods when access to fresh water by refilling his bowl in the wild, and there are no preservatives or
training to reward good behavior or simply as a two or three times a day. other hidden extras. However, natural foods
treat. Dogs prefer smelly, meaty, and soft treats, so need to be carefully balanced and it can be
try out different ones to see which yours likes best.
Treats with chicken and cheese in them are usually COMMERCIAL FOODS difficult to ensure consistent nutritional
popular. Some treats can be high in fats so if you These foods can be moist, semimoist, or quality or to adapt the diet to different energy
give them to your pet regularly make sure you dry. Dry food can help keep teeth and gums needs of dogs. Preparation of fresh food on a
reduce his main meals to prevent overfeeding. healthy but check that they have wholesome daily basis can also take a lot of time.
A few treats a day are enough core ingredients. You must provide plenty
for all dogs.
of water, too, since dogs that are fed dried DOG CHEWS
You can buy
ready-made treats food drink more. Moist food has a lot Chews help keep your dog busy, preventing
or prepare your of moisture content along with higher fat him from chewing household items or biting
own at home. and protein components. your hands. They are especially good for
The main advantage of using commercial puppies during teething and also play an
foods is that they come in a wide choice of important role in keeping your dog’s teeth
BITE-SIZED TREATS varieties specially adapted for puppies, clean and his jaws in good condition.

Varieties of food
The choice of food available for dogs has greatly
expanded. This ranges from specially developed
commercial foods—moist, dry, or semimoist—
to natural food that can be prepared at home.

COOKED SAUSAGE CHEESE CUBES

MEATY TREATS MOIST TREATS
MOIST DRY NATURAL
FOOD FOOD FOOD

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