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6 elements of canine nutrition
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by: CherylL.True
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Word Count: 415
Like all other living creatures, your pet dog needs the right kind of food to remain healthy and happy. A good canine diet consists of the right combination of six elements: carbohydrates, fat, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water.
Choosing the right dog food for your canine is partly a matter of chance. First, we all know that some dogs can be picky eaters. There's no point in trying to force your dog to eat a brand of food that it doesn't like. Once you've found a brand that your pet enjoys, see if your dog remains healthy after eating that particular brand of food for a certain period of time.
If it develops skin problems or other unusual symptoms, switch to another brand. If your pet is fairly inactive, then choose a variety that is intended for older or less-active dogs -- adding unnecessary calories is as unhealthy for dogs as it is for humans.
Also remember that the attractive, colorful images of the foods displayed on the packaging are there for your benefit, not your dog's. Dogs are much more likely to relate to their food on the basis of its taste and not on its appearance or color.
Because commercial brands of dog food may lack in certain essential nutrients, it may be a good idea to find two or three different brands that your dog likes and rotate them. This reduces the likelihood that your pet will develop food allergies or other sensitivities that build up over time from a nutritional deficiency.
There are certain symptoms you can watch for that might indicate that your dog is not getting all the nutrition it needs for good health. They include foul-smelling breath, foul-smelling stools, loss of appetite, frequently passing gas, a dull coat, depression and loss of energy, and a tendency to harbor fleas and worms.
It's not unusual for dogs to exhibit any of these symptoms occasionally. But if more than one symptom is present on a regular basis, then you should consider visiting your vet to investigate possible changes in your dog's diet. Keeping your dog healthy and happy is not rocket science but just a matter of common sense, a good diet, exercise and lots of love and attention.
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About the Author
Cheryl L. True is a Manila-based freelance writer who writes on a variety of topics.
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