Feeding A Balanced and Healthy Dog Diet

Dogs are creatures of habit. They like to sleep in the same places, day after day, at roughly the same time each day. They like to exercise at the same time daily and they like to play with the same toys. Dogs are no less creatures of habit when it comes to their meals. They enjoy eating their meals on a regular schedule. You can try waiting an extra couple of hours past his regular mealtime to feed your dog at some point and you will understand the reason why.

Although it is true that wolves, with whom our dogs share many traits even today, do not eat on a regular schedule, it is also true that they gorge themselves at each meal in preparation for what could be a prolonged fast. Our dogs, however, get meals at least once or twice a day. With no need to fast, they eat only till they are finished with what is in their bowls.

Dogs also have other differences in their eating habits from their ancestors the wolves. Wolves eat wild prey, consuming lean muscle, fat, and bone. They may or may not eat all of the stomach contents. Wolves, to a certain extent, get green vegetation in their meals from these stomach contents. In general, they do not eat corn or rice, even in these stomach contents. And, in general, their diets are balanced enough to allow them to survive and perhaps even to thrive.

Our domestic dogs, however, eat kibble. If we are to believe the dog food companies, even with all of the corn in the formulation, the food that we give them provides balanced nutrition that enables our dogs to thrive without doing all of the work that wolves do for their food.

In addition to when they eat and what they eat, there is also a difference in how they eat it. Wolves eat an entirely raw diet. That means that they get all of the nutrients that their food provides--along with all the bacteria and parasites.

Our dogs' food is generally free of bacteria and parasites, with rare exceptions, when we purchase commercial kibble. However, with this peace of mind, comes a limitation. The food we give our dogs provides less nutrition on its own. For that reason, commercial kibble must be supplemented with additional nutrients.

As dog owners, it is our responsibility to keep our dogs happy and healthy. It is up to us to watch their food intake volume and their eating habits. Because our dogs don't hunt their own meals, we need to take care that their calorie intake does not exceed what they expend. It is our responsibility to give them the balanced diet to which they are entitled as our loving, and loved, companions.

Next article: Nutrition, Balance and Healthy Puppy Food Diet

Followed by:

Nutrition, Balance and Healthy Adult to Senior Dog Food Diet

Nutrition, Balance and Healthy Neutered or Overweight Dog Food Diet

Nutrition, Balance and Healthy Pregnant or Breast Feeding Dog Food Diet

Nutrition, Balance and Healthy Working Dog Food Diet

Maintaining A Dog Diet Feeding Routine

What’s the Fuss about Dog Nutritional Supplements?

Dog Manners Training - How To Be The Pack Leader

Choosing Canine Food - Dry or Wet Dog Food?

Prevent Dog Begging Behavior - Don't Share Your Food!