We all love our dogs and would do anything in the world for them. We choose only the best for our four-legged friends. When it comes to their beds and toys, we tend to get them the finest selection of dog products. In addition, we pay special attention to what they eat. Food is the most important aspect of a dog’s life because it determines whether they will be healthy and strong, and have healthy digestion, hair, and teeth. It is simply the key to their overall health and well-being.

No wonder the most common question new dog owners ask their veterinarians is what they should feed their dogs. To understand how to feed their dog, dog owners need to truly understand their dog’s nutritional requirements.

High-quality nutrition for dogs

Complete and balanced canine nutrition includes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Water is also essential for a dog’s day-to-day life. These essential nutrients are a necessary part of a dog’s regular diet and are involved in all the basic functions of its body. This may seem very simple and easy with the basic ingredients broken down, but understanding how each nutrient is used in a dog’s body is very important when it comes to choosing the best high-quality dog food.

What to feed the dog?

The best advice you can receive about feeding your dog is to feed it with the highest-quality food you can afford. The differences between premium food and budget food are not found on the nutrition label, but in the quality and source of ingredients. Although two different dog foods may each contain 27% protein, they can differ vastly when it comes to digestibility.

Although the best method to choose food for your dog is to ask your veterinarian, some general tips can help you decide what should go into your dog's food bowl. First, make sure to select brands that feature real, recognizable, whole-food ingredients. If most listed ingredients are unfamiliar to you, find another brand. Second, select a low-calorie diet because most adult, indoor, spayed, or neutered dogs have low energy requirements. Your dog's diet should contain a relatively small number of calories per cup, meaning ideally less than 350 calories.

Treats are equally important, but you can rely on High Paw to offer some suggestions. For example, Lamb Crunch from one of our favorite brands, Buddy, is a crunchy and tasty dog treat made from fresh salmon and blueberries, rich in omega fats, protein, and antioxidants. The ingredients are 100% natural and free of additives, cereals, and GMOs. It is also suitable for all adult dogs & puppies.

Another gourmet dog treat we’d like to recommend is Premium Deer Chips from William Walker Deer Chips, a diamond-shaped dog snack that consists of lots of fresh deer muscle meat, tasty potatoes, valuable buckwheat and important monounsaturated fatty acids from rapeseed oil. Perfectly balanced ingredients consisting of valuable protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals, distinguish the entire William Walker Treat series that is available on our webshop. The Deer Chips are natural dog treats that ensure your dog gets high-quality proteins, and valuable vitamins A, C, B1, B2, E, K, iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, omega 3, and omega 6 fatty acids.

Food supplements also play a big role in dog nutrition. For example, LILA LOVES IT Gastrointestinal no. 1 is a great and easy option. Just mix it with your regular dog food and you’re good to go! It combines the power of ancient medicinal plants with the latest scientific knowledge. It contains psyllium husks that are a traditional remedy for diarrhea and constipation, fennel seeds that regulate digestion, turmeric that is highly valued in ayurvedic medicine and used to treat inflammation, and mannan-oligosaccharides that are effective prebiotics derived from the cell walls of yeasts. They cover the intestinal wall and thwart hostile microorganisms’ attacks. At the same time, they offer nutrients for the most beneficial gut bacteria. In addition, beta-glucans have an anti-inflammatory effect and can stimulate immune defense.

If you are looking for another amazing dietary supplement, LILA LOVES IT exclusive Vitality 5 Oil is just what your dog needs. It is an elixir for healthy skin and shiny fur. How does it work? Well, five special oils from organically cultivated plants supply the organism with essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The composition of linseed oil, hemp oil, milk thistle oil, borage seed oil, and nigella sativa oil is exceptionally rich in linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, gamma-linolenic acid as well as amino acids, phytosterols, and vitamins. The oil has a uniquely nutty, tart flavor that dogs cannot get enough of.

Feeding a puppy

Puppies need to eat often and lots, and they need relatively larger quantities of food because they are growing rapidly and have limited space in their tiny stomachs. At 6 to 8 weeks of age, they need to be fed about four to six meals a day. By 6 months, the need for food is decreased because puppies reach about 75% of their adult size and can be fed two to three meals a day. Good-quality puppy food has advantages over adult dog food because it has been specially formulated for a puppy's demanding nutritional requirements and contains the appropriate amount of calcium. Since growth is almost complete by 8 to 10 months of age, the average puppy can switch to adult dog food at about 12 months of age.

How much food is enough?

The best method for determining how many calories to feed your dog is to determine what your dog's lean weight should be and feed according to that weight. Of course, this requires constant monitoring and weighing, which is not always practical. You can also rely on your veterinarian to estimate how many calories your dog needs each day based on its lifestyle and breed.

How often should dogs eat?

Most dog breeds should be fed once or twice per day. Many dogs will benefit from eating equally divided meals two to three times per day. Regardless of the feeding schedule you choose, avoid allowing your dog to exercise vigorously after consuming a large meal, especially if your dog eats its food rapidly. This will help minimize problems with bloat, intestinal obstruction, or other serious digestive disorders. No matter what, make sure your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times.

In addition to providing a cozy bed and plenty of toys, giving it premium dog care, and the finest selection of dog products, feeding your dog a nutritious diet is one of the many responsibilities that come with being a dog owner. Selecting the right food for your dog is one of the most important decisions you can make so choose wisely.