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A Fundamental Dog Training Concept You Must Understand For Success With Your Dog
I moved into a new house about 14 days ago.
The funny thing about this house is that--when you walk into the master bathroom, the light switch is on the left side, opposite of where the sink is.
Well, practically every other house I've ever lived...
Companion Animals and Their Unique Place in Society--Part 3
A brief history of the domestication of horses.
Archaeological and paleontological evidence indicates that the horse was domesticated about 3000 B.C.—later than dogs and cats. At first, horses apparently were herded for meat and milk. Later,...
Dog Health Can Be Improved With a Natural Diet
It goes without saying that your dog needs suitable nutrition to remain healthy. Vets and pet food manufacturers often have differing views on appropriate nutrition for your dog. Although commercial pet food manufacturers are motivated in large...
Dogs - Puppy Housebreaking Made Easier
How to Housebreak Your Puppy
Housebreaking is the most indispensable thing your puppy must
learn. Common sense should tell you why. Do you want your house
to stay spic and span? Handle your puppy's housebreaking well.
Aside from the...
English Bulldog History and Breeder Information
The AKC standard for the English Bulldog is medium size, around
40-50 pounds. English Bulldog's have a smooth coat, a large
short-face head, low swung body with wide shoulders. Today,
Bulldogs are bred as a friendly dog that interacts well...
German Sheperds
People love big, protective and loving dogs and that's why there are a lot of german sheperd breeders.
The German Shepherd is sometimes called an Alsatian because that's where they originated in Germany. Many Germans still called them Deutscher...
How To Keep Your Dog's Teeth Clean
To keep your dog's teeth clean, a number of steps are necessary. The very first consideration is healthy food. I can't stress this enough. Healthy, raw food will reduce, and even eliminate, the need to brush your dog's teeth. But if you do need...
Protective Dog Clothing For Your Active Dog
You’ll want to use protective dog clothing to keep your active dog safe and warm when adventuring in the great outdoors. The right dog clothing will go a long way in protecting your dog from cuts, scratches and severe weather conditions. Protective...
Training your dog not to chase people, bicycles, joggers, etc.
Dogs by nature are predatory animals, and all predatory animals
share the motivation to chase fleeing objects. While this may be
a natural instinct, it is not appropriate when those fleeing
objects are joggers, bicyclists or the mailman.
...
What's The Big Deal About Being the ALPHA Dog?
Technically speaking, dogs as a separate species are supposed to be evolved from the wolves. Research indicates that the wolf mutated into several breeds, according to the climate, geography and the environment. As these separate breeds were...
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Pet Nutrition Basics for Dogs & Cats
Good Nutrition is just as essential for your pet’s health as it is for your own health. Your pet needs a balanced diet to help keep him healthy. Unlike humans, your pet’s daily diet is the same day to day. For this reason your pet must meet all nutritional requirements and needs for proteins, vitamins, fats and minerals in this one diet.
Good nutrition is not only good for your pets overall health but also for their skin and hair coat. Good nutrition will influence the overall internal workings of your pet for optimal health and a happy long life!
Now we are going to take a long at some of the important nutritional values your dog’s diet should contain:
Protein intake is critical for your pet’s heath. It is his source of amino acids which are required for the manufacturing of bones, muscles, hair coat, skin and everything else in the body. Protein is an essential part of your pets nutritional and diet needs. A rough estimate of protein needed in his diet, is 20% in dog food and 30% in cat foods.
Cats are carnivores which meant they require meat protein and they have a higher need of protein in general. Dogs are omnivores like humans, so they are able to use both meat and vegetables. In fact, dogs can do well on a properly balanced vegetarian diet whereas a cat might not due as well since they require more overall protein.
Dietary fats supply most of the body’s caloric requirements as well as essential fatty acids. In fact “fat” is the most expensive of the ingredients found in pet foods. It is for this reason that that some of the lower pried dog food companies skimp on the quality and quantity of fats contained in the pet foods. Inadequate, poor quality fats will result in your pet having poor skin and coat health. There are some dog food manufacturers that add extra essential fatty acids to their
food to promote healthy skin and coat – this food you would prefer feeding your dog!
Fiber (derived from plants) is the indigestible substance in food. A minimal amount of fiber is essential for proper food digestion. Without proper fiber intake, pets would suffer from diarrhea which could then result in more potential health problems and risks.
Poor quality pet foods include a higher amount of fiber because its cheaper then fatty acids and this in turn will make your pet product more stools then average. The proper amount of fiber will mean less pooper scooping for you, the pet owner!
Vitamins and minerals are needed in small amounts but they are essential to your pets health. Calcium and phosphorus (parts of the bone) sodium (essential part of the of the enzymes system) and iron (component of hemoglobin) are just a few of the many essential vitamins and minerals needed for your pets optimal health and nutrition.
The last ingredient found in pet foods is preservatives. Preservatives are needed to prevent the food from oxidizing – without preservatives in the dog food, the ingredients would quickly diminish.
So there you have it – Basic nutrition tips that will assure your pet is receiving a well balanced diet that will assure his overall health and well being. We hope this article will make it a little easier for you to help maintain your pets diet now that you understand more of what he needs!
About the Author
Chrissie Cole
Owner of Indulge Your Pet - a site dedicated to providing information and resources for dog lovers, cat lovers and horse lovers.
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