DIET & NUTRITION

It is important to feed your dog a well balanced diet that provides enough nutrients and energy to ensure a happy, healthy dog. Your dog's diet should consist of the proper amounts of the following

• protein: which aids in growth and maintenance
• fat: for skin and coat and energy
• vitamins and minerals: for bone development
• fiber: aids in digestion

There are minimum requirements of nutrients, and dog food manufacturers have formulated their food to met these requirements. As a result, most commercial dog foods provide a well balanced, high quality diet. Ordinarily, it is not necessary to use vitamin supplements. Your dog is most likely getting all the vitamins he needs from his food and an overdose of certain vitamins can lead to serious health problems.

The amount of food your dog needs depends on a variety of factors including: age, size, metabolism and activity level. The actual amount needed is based on the energy needs of your dog. For example, a working dog or a dog that is outside all the time in the winter will need more food than a sedentary dog who is mainly kept inside. Puppies and pregnant or lactating dogs need double the amount of food that an adult dog needs. It is important not to feed a growing dog too much because rapid growth can be harmful and can even shorten the life span of your dog.

It is important not to let your dog become obese, which is an increasingly common problem among today's dogs. Not only will your dog have less energy if he's obese, but it can lead to serious health problems. When deciding how much to feed your dog, read the label on his food and feed him the right amount for his weight, age, etc. If he seems to weigh too much, try cutting back on his portions.