So Many Dogs, So Many Dog Foods

While Rover will never enjoy the same variance in his diet as you do with yours, researching the numerous kinds of dog foods will help ensure your pet lives a long and healthy life. Like people, dogs come in many shapes and sizes, and have different levels of activity, metabolism and genealogical factors to look at when deciding on what diet to provide. For each of these different types of dogs, there are different dog foods available.

Before you even pick up your new pet, the first step in puppy care is to research the various dog foods. While most packages will provide information on the amount of food required each day, these are only guidelines, and should be adjusted to the activity level of your pet. While a puppy is very active, and burns many calories, he should not get into the habit of having food around whenever he wants. The responsible owner will monitor the amount of food given, and establish feeding routines early.

There are a number of different dog foods available, mostly geared to the age of the animal. The first type is obviously puppy food, and should be provided until the pup is full-grown, usually around a year. An adult dog requires a blend that best suits his or her nature. An active dog may need more calories and fat in the diet than an animal that is happier lying in its dog bed for an entire afternoon. Most companies, such as Wellness dog food, have products specifically for older dogs, with less fat and fewer calories, but more of the necessary vitamins. There is one rule to keep in mind whenever your pet is undergoing a change in the food given; never make the change all at once. Start with one quarter of the new food to three quarters of the old, then half-and-half, then one quarter of the old and three quarters of the new, taking at least a week for a complete change. Dogs have very sensitive digestive systems, and this will ensure a smooth transition to the new diet.