What your dog eats is crucial to their overall well-being, and whilst the odd treat here and there is ok, you can quickly get into bad habits. Just like with human diets, where we can end up eating the wrong things that can make us unhealthy, your dog can also struggle to maintain a healthy weight and get into health problems if not being careful.

Fortunately, once you know some of the common issues and how to avoid them, keeping your pup in a healthy condition shouldn’t involve too many adjustments to their diet. Like us, having a balanced diet and plenty of exercise will keep them happy and in top shape, so what should you provide plenty of and what should your dog avoid? 

Below, you will find some helpful pointers that can help keep them in good health throughout their life.

How Proper Nutrition Helps Your Dog

Many dogs love to eat, and whilst they are generally very active animals, they still need the right nutrients to complement their diet and lifestyle. Too many treats and fatty foods, and they can easily put on weight even when going for daily walks. A balanced diet ensures that your dog gets all the essential nutrients they need including protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and this will change as they grow and develop from a puppy to a senior dog.

A good diet along with appropriate exercise for your particular breed will help your dog maintain a healthy weight and avoid common issues such as obesity, breathing problems, joint issues and conditions such as pancreatitis and heart disease. However, the unexpected can happen, so you’ll want to ensure that you have suitable insurance just in case. Vet fees relating to emergency care and dental accidents are covered by comprehensive pet insurance policies, and this will give you peace of mind that you can give your dog the attention it needs to make a full recovery.

Hopefully, with a balanced diet you can avoid emergency trips to the vet, but as illness and injury can still occur in the most active and healthy dogs, it’s better to be prepared for this than not. This is where speaking to your vet if you are unsure about anything is always a good idea. 

Visiting the Vet Will Help You Spot Any Issues Early

Visiting your vet regularly will give you a good idea if you are on the right track to avoid common issues relating to diet, especially if you are not sure what is a normal weight for your four-legged friend.

Every breed differs in shape and size so keeping your dog to a standard weight isn’t necessarily the way to go – that’s why a vet will talk to you about body condition scoring which takes into consideration your dog’s unique shape. After all, you can’t fairly compare a dachshund with a bulldog based solely on their weight. To give you an idea, the scoring works like this:

• Underweight – body condition score of 1 – 3
• Ideal Weight – body condition score of 4 – 5 
• Overweight – body condition score of 6 – 9

You can do a quick check at home by looking at your dog’s waist and tummy, as well as checking if bones like their ribs and spine can be felt without a large build-up of fat. If there is or they’re carrying extra weight around their waist and tummy, it could be time to look at their diet and lifestyle. They may not like the idea of less delicious treats, but it will benefit them in the long term.

What Are Some Common Dietary Mistakes?

You shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting to make your dog happy and treat them every once in a while. However, sometimes as owners we may lose track of how much we are feeding our dogs and we may give them too much of a good thing, especially if your pup is helping clear up any leftovers from dinner. Some breeds are more susceptible to putting on weight than others too, including Labradors, Pugs and Cocker Spaniels to name a few.

Overfeeding

Whilst overfeeding is one of the most common issues, this is also one of the easiest to rectify – if you are giving them more food than they can burn off, this is a quick route to weight gain, so being more mindful of how often you feed them, and the size of the portion, can help control this. Most commercial dog food will have a recommended portion size, but if you are unsure what is the right size for your dog, speak to your vet. All you then have to do is weigh out the portions or use a portion measuring cup to keep this consistent.

Choosing the Wrong Food

Some foods to avoid will be anything high fat or sugary, so be mindful of the treats you give them – that means leftover scraps from the table should be avoided. Instead, give them plenty of healthier treats that are still delicious, with many fruits and vegetables suitable for dogs. Carrots, celery, bananas and even blueberries are just some of the good options. 

Not all human foods are safe for your dog, so things like onions, grapes, nuts, raisins and sultanas should not be given to them. Do check with your vet if you are unsure which fruit and vegetables are ok to give them as a treat. 

Not Adjusting Food With Age

As your dog gets older, their metabolism will slow meaning they won’t burn off food as quickly as when they were a pup. You’ll need to adjust their food intake as they age to counter this. Again, speaking to your vet if you have an older dog can help recommend the best diet for them. 

Choosing the Right Food – What to Look For 

Feeding your dog a balanced diet is much simpler when you look out for certain things when choosing food. Unless your dog is on a special diet which your vet will recommend, you’ll want to check the following:

1. It’s suitable for your dog’s life stage 

Most commercial dog food will have a specific recommendation for which stage of life it is suitable for, such as for a puppy or a senior dog. This means that the ingredients are specific for what your dog needs at different stages, so a puppy’s diet will focus on helping with growth, whilst a senior dog’s diet will help maintain a healthy weight.

2. The Food is Labeled ‘Complete’

This is the simplest way to check that the food is as nutritious as possible and provides all essential nutrients needed for healthy body function.

3. It’s UK Pet Food approved

Not all dog food is equal, so be sure that whichever you buy is approved by UK Pet Food. This ensures that the food meets a high standard and the legal minimum.

If you find certain dog food products and you are unsure they meet any of the above, it’s best to speak to your vet. They will be able to check that the food is the best option for them. They will also be able to make recommendations if you really are unsure. If you do change your dog’s diet, be sure to do so gradually as this will prevent them from having an upset stomach from any sudden changes.

One thing your vet will say is to use commercial dog food rather than creating your own diet for them. This is because it can be difficult to get the right balance when making homemade dog food yourself. Using an approved brand that is ‘complete’ will ensure all the good stuff your dog needs isn’t missed out.

Always Check With Your Vet

When it comes to your dog’s diet and overall health, you don’t want to be taking any unnecessary chances. Be sure to always speak to your vet if you are unsure about anything, especially if you are planning to change their diet or feel they may be overweight or even underweight. 

They will offer advice specific to your dog’s breed and their body condition score. Hopefully, you are already monitoring your dog’s diet and lifestyle, but if not, a few changes here and there will help your dog live their best life for longer.