Feeding Methods To Feed Your Dog: Which One To Choose?
Feeding your dog is no easy task. And for good reason, this animal has its own needs (just like us). Its food must allow it to keep in shape. If you think dogs can eat anything, you are wrong! Indeed, it is necessary to feed them correctly by adopting a diet adapted to their breed as well as to their age.
A priori, there are three power modes to choose from. We cite industrial food, home food, and mixed food. But which one to choose? What type of food to choose for your dog? How to choose the mode of food for a dog? What food is the healthiest for dogs? Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the ideal feeding plan for your dog.
Dog diets: new ways to feed dogs
To properly control your dog’s nutritional needs, you can split his daily ration 1 to 4 times depending on his age. This information is of great importance, as the development and well-being of your pet depend on it. In addition to the quantity of food, it is above all necessary to meet the nutritional needs of his companion. For this, there are dog diets that adapt to the specific needs of each animal.
What is a dog diet?
A balanced dog diet essentially results in a diet rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. We must not neglect the intake of vitamins and nutrients. Note that even though the dog is a carnivorous animal, this does not automatically imply a meat diet. Indeed, you have to vary your food taking into account your needs as well as your age.
Usually, the puppy separates from its mother when it is 2 months old. This is called weaning. Until his 3rd month, consider distributing the daily ration of your puppy in 4 or 5 meals. Gradually decrease the number of meals until she is 6 months old. From this age, the normal ratio is twice a day.
Tip: From an early age, get your dog used to fixed mealtimes. And above all, don’t forget to always put a bowl of water next to your meal bowl.
Why different ways to feed your dog?
Any vet will tell you: s without a good diet, your dog will not be able to grow properly. And a good diet implies a varied and balanced diet. It is also an essential requirement to ensure good health for his pooch throughout his life.
First, choose foods rich in protein (especially for young dogs). Indeed, protein substances play several roles in dog food:
- They promote the development of muscles.
- They ensure the proper functioning of the kidneys.
- They allow dogs to indulge in physical activities without any problem.
Thanks to the protein, the dog can also release his energy. In addition, he will have a beautiful coat and beautiful skin.
Second, foods high in fat boost your dog’s immune system. These contributions also give it energy, while allowing it to have a shiny coat.
Third, go for foods that are high in carbohydrates. Pasta and rice fall into this category. Carbohydrates promote growth in dogs. They also guarantee the proper functioning of their organism.
At each stage of its life, it is essential to give your dog the right diet. Thus, the calorie intake for a puppy should not be more important than for an adult dog. Do not forget to add the nutrients that are essential for your dog. This includes :
- Vegetable oil,
- Vitamins,
- The minerals.
In addition, it is essential to respect the doses of the meals to prevent your dog from becoming obese.
List of new dog feeding methods
Instead of giving your purely industrial dog kibble, why not opt for other feeding methods? From now on, you can feed your dog a healthy, balanced, and much more reasonable diet.
The BARF diet: meals based on raw meat and fleshy bones
BARF is the diminutive of “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food”. This feeding method is based on a fairly simple principle: prepare a meal for your dog with only raw food.
As the dog is naturally carnivorous, its meals will be prepared based on:
- Of meat.
- Fleshy bones.
- Vegetable oil.
If you have an omnivorous dog, you can add raw vegetables to their diet. Normally, the transition period should be gradual so that the animal gets used to its new diet. However, if you want to adopt the BARF diet, it is better to offer it immediately.
For the transition, it is advisable to leave your dog with nothing to eat for 24 hours. Start by offering him leaner chicken meat, before moving on to the meat.
Organic food: meals made from more natural products
Adopting organic food for your pet is to show him that you care about his health as well as his well-being. Indeed, the meals are prepared with essentially natural products.
Thanks to organic food, you allow your dog to:
- Develop your body.
- Control your weight.
- Increase his brain activity.
Once again, you need to adapt your dog’s diet according to his age.
Today there are different types of organic dog foods. In the current market, you will find in particular:
- Organic food in the form of croquettes.
- Organic food in the form of pâtés.
- Organic food in the form of treats.
- Organic food in the form of food supplements.
Does your dog suffer from an allergy? Opt for a grain-free package. Is he used to his industrial kibble? Try to make the transition gradually. For 1 week to 10 days, gradually introduce the new food. Each day, consider reducing the amount of the old food until the transition is complete.
Fresh food: prepare your dog’s rations yourself
You have the option of cooking your dog’s meals yourself by making homemade recipes. This approach guarantees perfectly healthy food. Either way, you will still need to consider your pet’s calorie needs. It is the same for his daily ratio.
Homemade food allows your dog to have a tastier and more balanced meal. You can get inspiration from the different recipes that are available on the Internet. There is no shortage of ideas to treat your pet.
To prepare your dog’s meal yourself, you can use:
- Fresh vegetables (about 1/3 of your meal).
- Foods rich in protein, such as meat, raw egg white, and fish (1/3 of the meal).
- Cereals (1/3 of the meal): it is better to offer him rice since it is easier to digest.
- Vegetable oil: the dose to be applied varies according to the age of the dog.
You can also add a little brewer’s yeast to supplement his daily ration.
What is the best diet for dogs?
The most important point is this: make sure that your dog’s daily ratio is appropriate for his age. Also choose a diet adapted to the needs of your pet according to its breed, lifestyle, and gender.
Whatever diet you choose for your dog, the main thing is to feed him well. If you administer industrial food to him, remember to respect the prescribed doses according to his weight. Indeed, he can become obese if you give him more than necessary.
If you prefer homemade food, there are also some rules you can follow to keep your dog healthy. The ideal would be to weigh his food before offering it to him. For example, for a 30 kg dog, 900 g of meat will be recommended, against 180 g for a 6 kg dog.