Feed Your Dog the Right Amount of Food

In general, dogs tend to eat whatever is put in front of them, but with some do truly enjoy opening their own hand bag. Let us be honest, dog owners everywhere have seen their dog devouring a bowl of dog food more than they can finish. While all dogs are not guilty of this they may be very young or elderly and it is a habit that must be broken. We all know that most of the food we eat we get at lunch or dinner we get at the end of the day. It is no different for the family dog.

The amount that you should give a dog depends on the food, size and age of the dog. Those big dogs that seem to eat anotherside of your plate when you walk away from the table may be much larger than you think. If you have never seen the inside of a dog's mouth it is hard to understand what they are eating when there is food all around them. Dogs must have a diet rich in protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.

Consider the following:

1. Large dogs like Great Danes are able to grow 20-30 pounds easily so they need a good quality food with high levels of protein.

2. Smaller dogs can grow at the same rate and needs the same nutrients with less protein.

3. formulas that include ingredients for large and small sized dogs are available so you can choose one that combines the qualities you want for your family dog.

4. As your dog ages he or she may develop allergies to foods as well as the fillers and preservatives that give so many commercial dog foods a long shelf life.

5. grain free foods can help provide nutrients that are not produced by slaughter houses and by-products that are now in some form of pet food.

6. Holistic foods and diets can increase the number of vitamins and minerals while eliminating any foods that may have been treated with chemicals.

7. Foods that are low in sugar can help cope with the sweeteners and can also help your overweight dog to lose weight.

8. Foods that are gluten free are easier for your dog to digest.

9. Your dog may experience digestive problems for the first time so it is always good to know which foods cause problems so you can deal with them.

10. Dogs should be fed at least twice a day with the possibility of an occasional biscuit or treat.

Chocolate

Here is something that many of us would never think of but dogs can have problems with chocolate. Dogs can show symptoms such as excitability, hyperactivity, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you find that your dog is displaying any of these symptoms then stop feeding your dog chocolate.

Dogs must be given other sources of calories to make up for their increased intake of chocolate. Ice chips and fruit are good sources of calories that your dog can have on a regular basis. Ice chips are lower calories than fruit but your dog will have no trouble getting his daily requirement of vitamins and minerals from them.

Drinking Too Much Water

Another thing that many owners do not realise is that their dog needs water. When your dog gets very hot it is likely that your dog will need to drink more water. Always ensure that your dog has plenty of water available before you leave them alone in the garden or even indoors. Always give your dog the opportunity to drink normally. If not he may try to get water by licking the ground or simply by staring at the water bowl.

Another reason that dogs may start to drink constantly is when they are not getting sufficient exercise and they spend too much time lying down. Your dog will then drink a lot of water to make up for the lack of exercise.

Toothaches and Gums

One thing that definitely makes dogs drool a lot is when they have toothaches. This is also known as "scabella". This can happen because of excess plaque and tartar build up. This is basically the result of poor hygiene and the bacteria that affect the mouth. Good hygiene will prevent this problem in the first place but if it still continues then your dogs got it coming. Diet isn't the only way of getting rid of this problem as there are plenty of home remedies that are available.

Toothaches and gum diseases can be treated by your vet which involves a general anesthetic. This will render your dog unable to breath. Make sure that your dog is taken to the vet for a check up before going to make sure the tooth aches were treated and will stay free.

To prevent this happening, it would be wise to brush your dogs teeth with a pet toothbrush. It may sound strange at first but it will encourage the healing of gums and prevent them from growing too long. Around once a week you should brush your dogs teeth using a pet toothbrush. That will help them to get used to it.