A healthy diet for dogs

Every dog deserves good food and feeding them the right type and amount of food is crucial to their well-being. Here are our top tips for feeding your dog a healthy diet.

Food

Your dog needs a well-balanced diet to keep them happy and in good shape. Make sure you feed them a diet suitable for their age, and lifestyle and that matches their health needs.

Remember:

• Feed your dog at least once a day, unless your vet advises otherwise.

• Human food isn't ideal, as most of our meals won't provide dogs with the nutrition they need. Some human foods, such as chocolate and onions, can even be poisonous to dogs.

• Give them the right amount to make sure they don't become under or overweight. The amount of food your dog needs depends on their diet, lifestyle and health.

It's important to read and follow the feeding instructions on any dog foods you buy. Why not try McAdams ethical dog food?

Water

As well as feeding them the right food, give your dog constant access to clean drinking water. Without water, your dog could become seriously ill, quickly - within hours..

Treats

Water is essential to keep your dog hydrated. It’s actually even more vital for dogs than humans, in order to prevent them from overheating. Our canine friends release heat from their body differently to us. Dogs can only sweat a small amount from their nose and paw pads. The main way that dogs lose body heat to cool down is through panting, which results in a lot of water loss through evaporation. Because of this, keeping your dog hydrated is especially important on hot days.

How much water should a dog drink per day?

How much is normal for your dog to drink will depend on a variety of factors, including their size, activity level and diet. For example, if they’re being fed a wet diet they won’t need to drink as much, as wet dog food contains 65-80% water. Dry dog food only contains around 20% water, so they will need to drink more water on a dry diet. The rough guide is that your dog should drink 40-60ml per kilo of body weight per day, and this is the same for puppies and dogs of any age.

You, as a pet owner, love to treat your four-legged friend once in a while. But it’s really important to give your dog healthy snacks. After all, what’s the point of offering a well-balanced meal and then undoing all that goodness with unhealthy dog treats? Choosing a healthy treat contributes to the long and happy life of your pet!

What is a healthy treat?

Anyone with a dog knows the importance of treats. Not only are they an invaluable training tool, they also play a huge role in forging a bond between you and your pet. Giving your dog a well-earned treat is a display of affection that they really appreciate.

Because treats can play such a vital role, it’s important to make sure they aren’t having an adverse health impact. For example, too many unhealthy treats can lead to obesity, which in turn leads to health issues and a diminished quality of life.

So, what does a healthy treat consist of?

• Natural ingredients

• No added sugar or unhealthy chemical additives

• Easy-to-recognise ingredients, so you know what you’re feeding your dog

• Treats that have been prepared in a healthy way. Food that has been slowly baked at a low temperature maintains the quality of the nutrients.