Raw Dog Food Diet

Many people believe that a raw dog food diet is unhealthy for their pet. What you choose to feed your pet is entirely up to you, so we’ll just list of few of the many benefits of a raw dog food diet and you can make up your own mind.

When dogs are fed a diet of raw foods, they usually build up a stronger immune system which allows them to recover more quickly from ailments and illnesses. Owners who have had their dogs on raw food diets for a while notice that their pets now have more energy when playing or exercising and their overall health and appearance improved in a very short time.

Changing to a raw dog food diet also means there is less risk of the dog being exposed to unhealthy ingredients in most manufactured dog foods. Raw food diets don’t contain artificial colorings, flavorings, meat “by-products”, or chemical preservatives.

A raw food diet is often considered healthier and safer than commercial dog foods which often lack the necessary vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to be healthy.

Most veterinarians we have spoken with agree that a raw food diet is good for a dog but they advise against completely changing your dog’s diet in one fell swoop. You should start by gradually introducing raw foods to your dog. In the beginning start by feeding your dog a smaller amount of commercially manufactured dog food, adding a little raw food mixed with it. Continue adding more raw food and less manufactured food every couple of days until the dog’s food is entirely comprised of the raw foods. This allows your dog to get used to the new diet without upsetting its system.

Don’t be frightened if you notice some changes in your dog’s appearance after switching to a raw dog food diet. This is normal and as your dog becomes adjusted to its new diet, it will begin to look and act healthier. In the beginning weeks you may see more shedding of hair, more wax buildup in the ears, possibly a slight skin rash, and often the dog will have loose, soft stools.

If these changes become extreme and continue for some time, you should consult your vet in case your dog has an allergy to something in its new food diet.

The key to changing to any raw dog food diet is balance. Your dog’s diet should include a tasty and healthy combination of meat along with fruits and vegetables. It isn’t wise to feed your dog only one type of food like raw beef.

We also recommend that you consult your veterinarian before making any major changes to your dog’s diet. If you’re not knowledgeable about what constitutes a healthy raw dog food diet, call your vet or ask friends who have changed their pet’s diets to all raw, natural foods.

Diet for Fat Dogs

A diet for a fat dog seems like a no-brainer. If a dog is overweight, its owner is simply feeding the dog too much food or too many treats.

It’s important to feed your dog the correct serving amount whether it’s overweight or not. Dog food companies are notorious for putting serving sizes that are too large on their bags of dry dog food. To determine the correct portion to serve your pet, you may want to ask your veterinarian how much and how often your dog should be fed.

Dog food manufacturers are no different than the companies that make human products. Consider shampoos: almost every shampoo has on its label “shampoo, rinse, and shampoo again.” How many people ever bother to shampoo their hair twice when showering or taking a bath? Dog food manufacturers use the same tactic to get you to feed more dog food than your dog needs at mealtime. The end result is exactly what they want you to do – buy more dog food.

If you have a fat dog and it really needs to lose weight, you’ll have to put it on a diet. First, keep track of everything you feed it each day, including treats and snacks.

You don’t have to completely eliminate treats when putting your dog on a diet. Instead choose healthy alternatives like raw vegetables or rice cakes. At the beginning of each day decide how many treats you will give your dog that day and stick to it no matter how much begging it does.

To be successful in establishing a diet for fat dogs requires a reduction of the amount of daily portions you feed your dog. Begin by cutting back the amount of food by 15% to 20%. In approximately six to eight weeks you’ll start seeing results. You can also check with your veterinarian on how to calculate the exact amount of calories your pet needs per day in order to lose weight. The vet will consider your dog’s size, ideal body weight, energy level, and general health.

It’s possible that your overweight dog will whine or cry for more food while on a diet but you need to be firm and not give in by feeding it more than the correct amount. Dogs are very adept at whining if they know the end result is more food or treats.

For assured weight loss in your overweight dog, make Winston’s Digest All the cornerstone of its weight loss program. Overweight dogs usually lose an average of five pounds within the first two to three months when put on a daily regimen of Digest All.

And finally, don’t forget the importance of exercise as a part of a diet for fat dogs. Daily exercise is important in losing weight. 10-15 minutes of activity several times per day will help your dog burn calories and lose that fat.