It's that time of the year again and we're excited to kick-start our ProHealth walking program for the Spring 2011 session! And what better time to go over some quick nutritional tips to help you establish and follow a healthy diet for those four-legged cuties in your life.
These 8 tips will help you select the best food brand as well as maintain a balanced dinner inside that bowl:
#1. Always check the ingredients.
We cannot stress this enough as most parents overlook what's inside those kibbles based on recommendations from friends or simply after watching a TV ad. Strive for chow where meat is the first ingredient on the list. But beware! The name of the meat shall be followed by a comma and not by the words "derivative" or "by-product", which is a fancy way of masquerading grains or overprocessed residuals from some very nasty practices performed by manufacturers.
Also, aim for a list that contains one or more types of meat (or dairy products, such as eggs) within the first three ingredients. Not only will your pals enjoy dinner time more, you will also save money as they will require less food by the pound if you go with high-quality ingredients.
#2. Establish a routine (and stick to it).
Feeding time should be performed at the same time every day. We recommend splitting their daily rations in two every day (breakfast and dinner) as it helps with the proper burning of fat and overall digestion. A healthy diet is always followed by a healthy habit.
#3. Avoid free-feeding.
Convenience never pays off when dealing with your friend's health. Measure food and stick to a routine. Most overweight cases we see through our ProHealth program are the results of free-fed dining habits.
#4. Avoid hazardous treats.
Never feed chocolates, raisins, or grapes. These foods are toxic to dogs and may cause serious health problems!
#5. Measure, serve, and store.
Follow the directions on the label and always use a measuring cup for dry food. Allow your dog to eat his/her ration within a 15-20 minute window. Remove the bowl and store what's left. This keeps your friend focused on the idea that's feeding time and aids in keeping obesity out of the way.
#6. Follow AAFCO.
The American Association of Feed Control Officials serves as the FDA for the canine food industry. Always check the label and buy AAFCO-tested brands. If it's not on the label we have two words for you: stay away.
#7. Variety is happiness.
It's true: they get tired of the same every day. Mix it up by adding some healthy treats like carrot sticks, banana slices and apple slices to promote a healthy lifestyle (and keep them wondering what's today's surprise!)
#8. Lots and lots of H20.
They say water is the base for a healthy life. Whoever they are, one thing is for sure: they are not kidding. Always have fresh water available, especially right next to their dining bowl. Water not only helps your pal's digestion (and swallowing!), it also promotes the proper breakdown of nutrients contained within their food.
And there you have it! We recommend our parents to print this short list of tips and use it as a checklist by marking off those items that you already follow and circling those that you need to work on. We guarantee your pals will not only enjoy a healthier life, they will also thank you deeply for it!
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