Establishing good eating habits with your child and pooch

Children learn a variety of things by example. If you have ever heard your children repeat an odd exclamation that you made the day before, then you know firsthand how quickly they can pick up on things. So, why not use a daily routine, like feeding your dog, to teach your kids good eating habits? If your child is young, he will enjoy being "like" the family pet.

Start with portion control

It is not healthy to pour an entire bag of dog food into your dog's bowl at one sitting. You also do not pull everything out of your refrigerator and prepare a feast for your child every night. If a dog is given large amounts of food, then he will eat large amounts of food. Children, on the other hand, will normally stop when they are full. The problem comes when they eat excessively out of boredom.

Letting an older child take part in the pet-feeding process can teach him valuable lessons about how much is too much. But, before you let your child watch you feed the dog, you need to make sure that you are feeding the dog correctly. Portions depend on the size, age, and activity level of your dog. A puppy requires small portions three to four times a day, while an adult dog can eat larger servings only once or twice each day.

The best way to determine how much food to feed your pooch is to talk to your veterinarian. Your vet can make recommendations based on your dog's health. In the meantime, look at the label on the back of the food container. The label will provide feeding measurements, usually based on weight. Most of the time, the labels are suggestions for daily food intake, not intake per meal. Be careful, and don't feed your pooch too much. If you feed your pet twice a day, then make sure you split the serving size between the two meals.

Now that you know how much food to feed your pet, you can start setting an example for your child. Obesity in children is at an all-time high. If you give your child a large portion of food, then he will probably eat it. Instead of loading down his plate, measure the food by serving suggestions on the package. Let your child see that you are measuring based on the label, just like he sees you measuring portions for the dog. Take time to explain to him why portion control is important. Choose the right treats

So often we snack all day. We also allow our pets to snack on treats all day. High calorie, sugar-filled snacks are not healthy for adults, children, or pets. They can be harmful to health and cause weight gain. For children and pets, snacks can be powerful. Your pet will do tricks, and your kid will obey! For these reasons, treats do not have to be completely expunged from your home. Instead, replace unhealthy treats with healthy ones! Skip the treats at the grocery store; it is easy to make a quick snack from food you have at home.

There are many items that can double as pet and kid snacks. As you prepare the treats, remember to store them in separate containers labeled appropriately. If you are using fresh food, then it is also a good idea to put the preparation date on the label. That way, you won't be feeding either "kid" spoiled food.

Cook a piece of chicken, and cut it into small pieces. Save some chunks for your pet; he will love them plain. Take the other pieces and place them on a cracker with a little cheese. Throw them in the microwave for a few seconds, and you have a snack that your child will enjoy. Fruits and vegetables make wonderful snacks that do not require additional preparation. Most of the time, you can just cut up some carrots, a banana, or an apple and serve it as-is.

No matter what type of snacks and treats you prefer, portion control should still apply. Neither your pet nor your child should ever make a meal out of treats. Their bodies require certain vitamins and nutrients to stay healthy, and a cracker meal will not provide such essentials.

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