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You are what you eat so they say and this age old adage is just as applicable to our canine friends as it is for us. Without the correct food a dog can become lethargic, under or overweight and even suffer illness and as they are unable to plan their diet themselves, the responsibility falls to their owner.

Providing both good nutrition and exercise for your pet will go a long way towards helping them lead a long, happy and healthy life. One of the first factors that will determine the type of food you choose to give your dog is their age. If you have an adult dog you may choose from a complete food such as royal canin dog food. If you have puppy, young dog or one that is aging, you will need to buy food specifically aimed at their age group. This is because dogs at alternative stages of development require different levels of protein, calories, vitamins and minerals to meet their needs. Smaller or younger dogs may also need feeding more regularly but with reduced portion sizes. It's also worth noting that older dogs can benefit from a diet that promotes digestion or helps strengthen bones.

Another important choice to be made when planning your dog's diet is deciding to opt for dry, wet or semi-moist food. There is continued debate over which of these diet types is best for different breeds of dogs and indeed, some dog owners like to settle on a mix of all three types of food. If you are unsure of the route you would like to go down you may want to do further research, or ask for some recommendations or advice from your dog breeder. Another option is to engage in a course of trial and error. If attempting the latter, it is important to note that a dog's diet should only ever be altered gradually over the course of a few weeks in order to avoid upsetting their digestive system.

It can be hard to know if you are feeding your dog the essentials, so on top of choosing foods designed with the age of your dog in mind you may want to check the breakdown of ingredients on the back of tins or bags/packets. Carbohydrates generally are not an essential component in dog’s diets but they do provide a helpful source of energy. With this in mind, you may want to balance the ratio of carbohydrates to other more crucial dietary elements. Aim to include vitamins and minerals within your dog’s diet as they help your dog to maintain a healthy skin and coat and are known to aid the nervous system and help healing. Both calcium and phosphorous are must-haves when it comes to doggy diets as these help strengthen bones and teeth. In addition, you should look out for sodium, chloride, magnesium, zinc, potassium, copper and iron, as these are all important for aiding bodily function.

Finally, don't be afraid to give your dog treats occasionally to show that you care, or as part of a training regime - but don't forget obesity can cause serious discomfort and even illness for dogs, so always aim for a balanced diet.

Dogs Worldwide.com - This article has been reproduced courtesy of petsathome.com.

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