Canine Diet and Health
- Date: 2010-08-27 - Word Count: 535
Share This!
The family dog is a treasured member of the family. Helping to ensure a long and happy life is both a responsibility and the privilege of that family. That long and happy life depends greatly upon how we feed and care for them. Providing good nutrition, exercise and health care is essential in providing the longest, healthiest life possible.
One of the first concerns for a family dog should be that of diet. Feeding an animal too much causes obesity and other health concerns while not feeding enough can cause malnutrition, sickness, scavenging, and behavioral issues. Most packaged dog foods provide feeding guidelines based on the dog's size and weight. A veterinarian can be consulted for the best dog foods available. This will be based on the age, weight, and current health of the dog, and activity level. Not all dog foods have the same nutritional benefits. Some have by-products and fillers that are outright harmful. Remember, changing to better food can alleviate hyperactivity, fatigue, in-attentiveness, and learning curve.
Ensuring a dog's optimal weight is extremely important. Weight in dog's, like humans, can lead to other health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, respiratory disorders, orthopedic and arthritic issues, and even cancer. This is alarming considering an estimated 44% of household dogs in America are overweight or obese. The food bowl should not always be full. Though genetics or hormones may play a factor, diet and exercise will do much in correcting health concerns.
Exercise is essential. Give your pet as much opportunity for activity as the pet wants, but watch for panting, wheezing, disorientation, or slowing. Each animal is different, but activity should be encouraged and you should participate. Avoid outdoor activity when it is excessively hot or cold, choosing indoor activities or a less extreme part of the day weather-wise to go outside. Plenty of fresh water should always be available.
Doing all you can with food, exercise, and overall health is part of the picture. Maintaining their health with check-ups, immunizations, flea and tick preventatives, and regular bathing is also part of the overall picture. Your pet should see their vet, be treated with all recommended vaccinations.
Ensuring safety at all times is key. Teaching a dog not to enter the roadway or keeping them from it, avoiding excess heat that can cause heat exhaustion or stroke, avoiding extreme cold that can cause hypothermia, and being aware of activities abnormal for your pet are all ways to keep the dog safe. Signs of illness may include symptoms such as weakness, excessive salivation, poor appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, fatigue, excessive scratching, constipation, wheezing, congestion, frequent or strong urine, or any symptom out of character for the dog.
A dog is a joy. That is why he is called man's best friend. But he is also our responsibility. Taking good care of a dog is keeping a trust placed in you by that dog. It can be a sacred trust. Ever since the domesticated dog placed his fortune in the family of man rather than his own, dogs have depended on us to live up to that bargain long ago made. Be my companion, partner, and co-laborer, and I will care for you as my own family.
One of the first concerns for a family dog should be that of diet. Feeding an animal too much causes obesity and other health concerns while not feeding enough can cause malnutrition, sickness, scavenging, and behavioral issues. Most packaged dog foods provide feeding guidelines based on the dog's size and weight. A veterinarian can be consulted for the best dog foods available. This will be based on the age, weight, and current health of the dog, and activity level. Not all dog foods have the same nutritional benefits. Some have by-products and fillers that are outright harmful. Remember, changing to better food can alleviate hyperactivity, fatigue, in-attentiveness, and learning curve.
Ensuring a dog's optimal weight is extremely important. Weight in dog's, like humans, can lead to other health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, respiratory disorders, orthopedic and arthritic issues, and even cancer. This is alarming considering an estimated 44% of household dogs in America are overweight or obese. The food bowl should not always be full. Though genetics or hormones may play a factor, diet and exercise will do much in correcting health concerns.
Exercise is essential. Give your pet as much opportunity for activity as the pet wants, but watch for panting, wheezing, disorientation, or slowing. Each animal is different, but activity should be encouraged and you should participate. Avoid outdoor activity when it is excessively hot or cold, choosing indoor activities or a less extreme part of the day weather-wise to go outside. Plenty of fresh water should always be available.
Doing all you can with food, exercise, and overall health is part of the picture. Maintaining their health with check-ups, immunizations, flea and tick preventatives, and regular bathing is also part of the overall picture. Your pet should see their vet, be treated with all recommended vaccinations.
Ensuring safety at all times is key. Teaching a dog not to enter the roadway or keeping them from it, avoiding excess heat that can cause heat exhaustion or stroke, avoiding extreme cold that can cause hypothermia, and being aware of activities abnormal for your pet are all ways to keep the dog safe. Signs of illness may include symptoms such as weakness, excessive salivation, poor appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, fatigue, excessive scratching, constipation, wheezing, congestion, frequent or strong urine, or any symptom out of character for the dog.
A dog is a joy. That is why he is called man's best friend. But he is also our responsibility. Taking good care of a dog is keeping a trust placed in you by that dog. It can be a sacred trust. Ever since the domesticated dog placed his fortune in the family of man rather than his own, dogs have depended on us to live up to that bargain long ago made. Be my companion, partner, and co-laborer, and I will care for you as my own family.
Kelly Marshall is a popular contributor at Oh My Dog Supplies - where you can find warm dog coats, dog steps, pet ramps, and more unique dog gear that you'll never find at your local pet store.n
n Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Time I Had a Pet Blue Wasp
A lot of people have pets such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, turtles and some even have snakes and - Why Should You Buy Barking Collars For Dogs?
You love your dog but he always barks and misbehaves. It is very upsetting for owners to have dogs t - What to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
There may be plenty of occasions in your life when a puppy crosses your path and desperately needs a - What Do Pet Insurance Policies Cover?
The most basic pet insurance policies simply cover vet bills. More advanced policies can cover every - Dog Walkers Are They For You
If you own a dog then you will know how important it is to ensure that it is walked often to keep th - Creating the Right First Aid Kit For Your Dog
Most of us have some type of first aid kit in our homes. They are necessary for those small bumps an - Deciding to Crate Your Dog For Training
There are several different ways that you may decide to use to train your new dog and they are all v - What to Know About Diets For Dogs
Weight seems to be a struggle for just about anyone, and that is true in the world of dogs. In fact, - Dog Training Basics - Important Tips to Remember
Training your dog is important. It's important for his safety, your safety, the safety of your prope - Don't Go Raising Sheep For Wool Without Reading This!
There are many possible reasons why people choose to raise sheep. Some do it as a means of livelihoo
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy And Dog Information
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not an apartment dog. She needs plenty of room to exercise and havin - How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer
Choosing a trainer is a very important decision and one that requires a fair amount of research and - Can Greenies Dog Treats Recover From Death?
A Makeover For Greenies(r) Treats Months after a series of lawsuits and media attention alleged the - Dog Treats - How to Choose Healthy Treats for Your Dog
Your dog is indeed your best friend and how you feed him or her is very important. Even small items - How to Choose A Good Dog Trainer
If you find that you are not being successful in training your own dog, or maybe you don't have the - Dog Breeds and Asthma Sufferers: Are Hypoallergenic Breeds Always Best?
The first important consideration is to understand exactly what hypoallergenic dog breeds are. In sh - Audubon Bird Feeders
Bird watching is an enjoyable hobby for many of us. We love the antics of the different birds as - Must Have Accessories For Your Fish Tank
When many individuals think of fish tank accessories, decorations are often the first thing that com - The Beautifull Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds diet requires nectar as a source of energy and for their protein source small insec - Clumber Spaniel Puppy And Dog Information
The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent, calm dog great for apartments as they do not need a great dea