MyBowl: What Goes into a Balanced Diet for your Dog? Just like with people, our dogs also need balanced nutrition to maintain health and wellness. People rely on tools to understand their own nutritional needs, but there aren’t any similar tools for dogs. To help dog owners learn the basics of balanced nutrition, petMD and Hill’s Pet Nutrition worked together... The Benefits of Proper Nutrition Have you ever wondered about the benefits of proper nutrition? Sure, you have. Here's how to make sure your gets the very best food you can possibly provide. Minerals: Finding the Right Sources in the Best Dog Food Minerals are crucial for the proper development and function of your dog’s body. But which ones should be found in dog food and how much of each? Read on to find out... The Importance of Water for Dog Nutrition A balanced diet is not the only necessary part of keeping your dog healthy. Water for drinking is also a very important part of your dog’s daily requirements and overall nutrition. Here's why... Fats and Oils: Good for Your Dog’s Health? Dogs never have to worry about cholesterol levels like humans do, as they won’t end up with the same types of health issues humans can from eating a high-fat diet. If fat levels are too low; however, dogs can develop dry, itchy skin and a dull coat. Other problems that can develop include a diminished... Carbohydrates: Key to a Balanced Dog Food When you are comparing the hundreds of dog food options available to feed your dog, there are many ideas to keep in mind. For instance, there are several ingredients that go into a quality dog food. Here we will focus on just one category: carbohydrates. The Power of Protein Protein has several roles in the body, such as building and repairing muscles and other body tissues. It is needed to form new skin cells, grow hair, build muscle tissue, and more. It also assists in creating body chemicals like hormones and enzymes that are needed for normal function. It provides energy... Antioxidants and their Use in Dog Food Antioxidants are substances that provide health benefits and prevent ingredients in the food from spoiling (oxidation). They are very important to keep your dog’s food tasting good and help maintain its nutrients. Demystifying the Dog Food Label When shopping for a dog food, do you ever wonder just what some of the information printed on the label means? Do you understand what the nutritional information really means for your dog’s health? What’s in a Balanced Dog Food? Most of the dog foods sitting on the shelves today are meant to be the only source of nutrition for our pets. These foods are marked as “complete and balanced” on the label. But what does that really mean? 7 Medical Causes Behind Weight Gain Your pet is overweight, and being the conscientious pet owner, you have made the necessary changes to your pet’s diet and activity levels, but your pet is still overweight. In fact, not only is he still overweight, he seems to be gaining more weight. If diet and exercise are not solving the problem,... Caring for an Emaciated Dog At times, animal shelters or rescue groups are presented with a markedly thin and undernourished homeless dog. The following presentation relates to the care and recovery assistance provided to dogs that have been homeless for days to weeks. Controlling Your Pet’s Eating Behavior Some pets eat like they are never going to see food again, gulping it down so fast they barely have time to chew it, let alone taste it. If it seems that your dog or cat is eating meals faster than necessary, and is behaving in an obsessive manner towards the food, there are some methods you can use... Dental Diets for Better Oral Health We all have busy schedules and it can be a struggle to make the time to brush out pets' teeth on a daily basis. Or, maybe you have a pet that is a sweetheart all the time except for when it comes time to sit still for a tooth brushing. If you fit either of these scenarios, or if your pet has specific... Diet Pills for Dogs? Like them or not, weight loss products and their advertisements are a ubiquitous part of life. But are weight loss products as safe and effective for dogs as they are for people -- or, conversely, as potentially unsafe? Dietary Supplements for Pets? Might our pets benefit from supplements that are formulated specifically for their needs? It's more feasible than you think. Dry vs. Wet Foods: Which is the Best for Your Pet? So, which do you choose? Let’s get down to some of the brass tacks so that you can make an informed decision in the pet food isle. Healthy Snack Ideas: 'People' Food for Dogs and Cats Like buying candy for kids, we often think snacks that have been specially packaged for pets are the best treats in the world. Why would they want anything other than a tasty treat? But, a lot of those packaged pet snacks and treats are the equivalent of candy. They are not a big deal, as long as you... How Do You Know Your Pet is Obese? It has been called a societal epidemic, as though extreme fluctuations in weight can somehow be “caught.” But how else do we explain why so many Americans are now medically diagnosed as obese, and how do we explain why our pets appear to be suffering a similar ill at ever increasing numbers? Long-term Effects of Obesity on Pets Did you know you may be literally killing your pet with kindness? That's right, those daily treats you give your pet may give the illusion that all is well, but the reality is that the extra treats and the resulting extra weight are causing lasting damage to your pet’s internal organs, bones, and joints... Raw Bones or Cooked Bones ... Are Either Safe for Dogs? You've probably heard people tell you that feeding bones is natural and healthy for dogs, and that feeding bones promotes clean teeth and aids the nutritional status of the animal. Well, mushrooms are natural, too, and certain kinds will kill a dog if eaten. Pine trees are alive with vital cellular nutrients... Raw Bones: Do They Really Crack Open? Do raw bones splinter when cracked open? Take a look at the following photos. Winter Weight Gain - You and Your Pet It is common for humans to struggle with winter weight gain. Whether the struggle is in preventing it, or losing the weight after the fact, seasonal weight gain is a fact of life for a lot of animals that live in seasonal climates. With the onset of colder temperatures – a time when food items become... Choosing the Best Feeding Method for Your Dog Nurturing a dog is not as easy at it looks from the outside. Suddenly, you find yourself fretting over collars, shampoos, treats... Once you have finally picked the right food, then you have to decide which method of feeding you are going to use. There are two main methods, both of which have their own...
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