Are you Feeding your Puppy the Proper Food? Head into a supermarket or pet shop and you will see rows of dog food both in cans and bags. You would think it would be easy to choose which food to feed your dog and for adult dogs there are many choices, but puppies require different nutrients than adult dogs and, therefore, should be fed a different diet and food. You should not feed your new puppy an adult food, so you must choose a food specially formulated for puppies and you dogs specific needs. At first try to use the food that he was being fed before you brought him home. The reason being puppies digestive systems are very sensitive and changing the food abruptly can cause digestive problems and stress. If you are not happy with the brand of dog food your puppy was being fed, you can gradually change to the brand of you choice. Remember your dog is a part of your family and you get what you pay for so don’t go with the most inexpensive brand. To be healthy growing puppy needs lots of important nutrients and good proteinsaE” feeding a puppy poor quality food can result sickness later in life. Also, good quality food is more nutritious so your dog will actually eat less and he will have fewer stools and they will be less smelly so even though you are paying more for the food to begin with, you will have to buy less of it.

When feeding your dog the proper nutrients, there are 6 components to keep in mind. These are proteins, fat, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and of course, water. If you provide your pet with these in the appropriate amounts, then your dog will have the best chance of living a long and healthy life. When changing your puppy to a new food do it slowly. Replace only about 15% of his old food with new for the first couple of days. Then move to 25% for the next few days, then 35% and so on. If your dog get ill or has loose stools, then back down on the percentage of new food until his stomach adjusts. Having a feeding schedule is important. Younger dogs will need to eat more often, but probably by the time your pup is old enough for you to take him home, you should be able to feed 3 times a day. After your puppy reaches 6 months, you can taper off to twice a day. Your puppy can switch to eating adult food when he reaches his full growth which is about one year. Again, you want to gradually switch the foods so that there are no digestive or bowel problems. Feeding your puppy good nutrition will help him grow properly and help him look healthy and feel great. Proper nutrition in the beginning of his life will help live a happy and healthy life.

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A constipated dog is unable to empty his bowels by normal means and can experience uncomfortable side effects. The condition is fairly easy to diagnose as the dog will likely take longer than normal to defecate and most will show signs of straining or difficulty achieving results. Their stools are commonly small, dry, hard and round. If a dog’s bowels have not moved for two days or more, they are generally considered to be constipated.

Though a constipated dog is not usually a sign of serious problems, the issue should definitely be addressed in order to avoid more serious complications. Failure of a dog to empty the bowels causes toxins to build up in the body and can result in loss of appetite, sluggishness, abdominal pain, bloating and even difficulty walking. Constipation that is accompanied by vomiting or other severe symptoms could be a sign of serious problems such as intestinal blockage, parasites or internal issues.

There are many possible causes of a constipated dog and most can be avoided by a healthy, active lifestyle with conscientious health care. Among the most common causes are water deficiencies, insufficient exercise and the lack of a healthy diet high in fiber. Water aids in the elimination process by hydrating the body and providing the ability to flush the intestinal tract. Daily exercise in the form of a medium paced walk, a brisk jog or time spent romping and playing fetch will help to stimulate and regulate the bowels. High quality dog foods provide the proper nutrients and fiber necessary to maintain a healthy diet, whereas cheaper brands may contribute to slow moving bowels.

While correcting and stabilizing the issues of a constipated dog, it might be helpful to add small amounts of cooked pumpkin, sweet potato, or green beans to the dog’s food for quick and natural results. Freshly cooked and canned are both acceptable, just be sure there are no additives, seasonings or sugars. Use only 1-2 teaspoons per meal for small dogs, 1-2 tablespoons for medium and 2-5 tablespoons for large dogs. Maintaining a healthy diet with plenty of fresh water and exercise should keep your dog regular and happy.

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