Feeding your dog a nutritious diet sounds daunting, especially if you lead a busy life. But it doesn’t matter whether your days are hectic or leisurely, there are ways to keep your canine eating well.
Decide which of the following categories you belong in, and start making the best diet choices for your dog!
1. On the run
“I’m always in a rush, multi-tasking and meeting deadlines. I barely have time to cook for my family, let alone my dog.”
Not a problem! Choose premium high quality canned or dry foods, or a frozen raw or dehydrated diet. These healthy options are balanced and complete, and quick and easy to feed. Raw diets come in handy tubes, medallions or cubes – all you do is thaw and serve according to instructions. Going for a dehydrated diet? Just add water, and voila – your dog has a healthy tasty dinner in a couple of hours. When you can, add extra variety with healthy table scraps, such as lean meat, cooked veggies, or rice. Avoid fat, cooked bones and sweets.
2. Happy medium
“I try to balance work and play. My job keeps me busy, but with kids off at school, I have a little more time for myself and my loved ones – human and canine.”
Change up your dog’s diet now and then by home-preparing food a couple times a week. Cut up chicken, turkey, lamb, beef or other meat and toss into a blender or food processor along with some chicken broth and small pieces of carrot, broccoli, beet, kale or spinach. Add an equal amount of your dog’s favourite canned food. Blend, and add supplements such as bone meal or calcium, digestive enzymes and fish oils – follow label directions for supplement doses per meal or day. Serve and watch Rover enjoy!
3. Time’s on my side
“I don’t have kids or a lot of other responsibilities, so my time is mostly my own. I enjoy finding new things to do.”
You’re in a good position to feed your dog a wholly home-prepared diet – and do the important research necessary to properly understand canine nutrition. The diet should be made up of raw or cooked meat (e.g. beef, poultry, cooked fish); carbs (e.g. quinoa, brown rice, rolled oats, sweet potatoes); veggies (steamed or put through a food processor, e.g. dark leafy greens, carrots, squash, broccoli, etc.); and supplements such as fish oil and digestive enzymes. The ratio of the ingredients depends on your dog, his activity level, health, etc. so it’s beneficial to find a good resource to help out.
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Canadian Dogs is the definitive resource for helping people find and care for their new best friend. Featuring all the breed information you expect but with a fresh new approach. Published by one of Canada’s foremost pet publishers and distributed across Canada, this exciting publication is supported by leading breed experts, veterinarians, trainers, nutritionists and groomers.
