Pet Health and Nutrition

There are just so many types of dog food out there, all ready made and prepacked for our convenience. However, dried dog kibble is no where near the complete nutritional standards that our dogs need. How would you feel if you only had dry pellets to eat?

So why are there so many prepacked dry dog food out in the market? The main factor to consider here is the matter of convenience. In this modern world we live in today, life is just getting increasingly hectic and many just don't have the time or energy to specially cook for our pets. However, do not fret as these simple tips that I am going to share with you will not only be convenient and easily obtained, they will also improve your dog's health and add variety to their diet and thus prevent boredom as well.

I am sure that a lot of pet owners out in the world share my predicament of having met a few fussy eaters every now and then. A lot of factors can contribute to this such as the lack of variety in a dog's diet, lack of exercise and mental stimulation or boredom.

Simple foods and supplements to include in our dog's diet:

• carrots
• pears
• lactose free milk
• eggs
• fish oil or flaxseed oil
• Raw bones (chicken and beef brisket or marrow bones)

Carrots are great to give your dogs in whole form so that they can chew like they would chew a bone especially when they are still puppies and have little teeth to chomp on bones . Not only does this relieve their boredom and keep them busy for some time, they also contribute to good dental health and provide a good source of beta-carotene which is a precursor to vitamin A that is very useful for their eye health and immune system as well as wound healing abilities.

Raw bones should be given to them at least two to three times per week to help with their dental health. Bigger bones can be medium cooked if the weather is cold and damp and your dog feels a little nauseous to eat completely raw bones. Only give bigger bones to dogs that have reached full maturity. Smaller bones like raw chicken frame bones can be given to your puppies.

I gave my puppy pears cut into little bite sized pieces when she was a few months old. This helps quench thirst in hot dry weather and also helps with constipation.

Lactose free milk will benefit bone and teeth health. This is especially important to start from a young age when their bodies are still developing and absorbing nutrients like a sponge.

Eggs given either raw or cooked (best to cook them or half cook them so they are medium-well done) are a good source of protein and iron and a good substitute to giving them meat every day. Dogs are after all more carnivorous than herbivores hence they will require some type of meat source in their bodies to keep up their strength and supplement them with what nature and evolution has intended for them as a species.

Incorporating fish oil (just a few drops from 1 capsule shared between two to three dogs) into their foods will help with brain and eye development. It also helps promote healthy joints and a beautiful coat and skin. Don't worry about the fishy smell because unlike humans, dogs actually love the smell.

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