As a responsible dog owner you need to make sure that your dog is getting a daily balanced diet. Make sure you include foods that contain protein,  carbohydrates, and good fats.  By providing your dog with a well balanced diet you are making sure that she has a long, happy, and healthy life. A proper diet will also provide her with a beautiful coat and bundles of energy.

The question that many people have is… What is the proper balance for my dog’s diet? Here is a general rule of thumb for your to follow…

• 2 - 25% protein
• 20 - 35% fat
• 40 - 60% carbohydrates

Along with these essential nutrients you should also provide your dog with vitamins and minerals.

See also Why Your Dog Also Needs Other Supplements in Her Diet.

However, keep in mind that dogs have very different needs than us. One of the most important supplements that they need is vitamin B1. This is because dogs are not very good at storing vitamin B1 in their bodies and it is absent from many dog foods.

You should note that feeding your dog a diet of only lean meat will not provide them with all the necessary nutrients. In nature, dogs eat their entire prey which contains everything they need. As good owners we have to try and imitate their natural environment as closely as possible.

Studies have been done to look at the habits of dogs and what they eat. These studies have shown that dogs prefer cooked and mushy food over those that are raw and meaty. However, dogs are not usually very picky and many will eat almost anything we give them. So it is our job to make sure we are giving them what is best for them.

Most dog owners, myself included, tend to feed their dogs commercial dog food. These are often fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. The manufacturers know that the dog food must be stored easily so they package them in convenient ways such as bags or cans. Dog owners just love that. The downside is that usually the more convenient and attractive the packaging, the more expensive the food. Wouldn’t you agree?

This is one of the reason more and more dog owners are turning to home cooking for their dogs. The problem here is that it can be hard to provide our pets with the proper balance in their diet this way. We can’t just give them what we eat and we can’t cook for them the way we cook for ourselves.

The key is to do some research and make sure that you are providing your dog with the best possible source of her nutrition.

Things can go wrong if we are not careful with what we are giving our dogs. For example, too much milk powder in their food may cause scouring because some dogs have a hard time digesting lactose. Instead of creating your own recipes a better way might be to search for recipes that have been time tested.

Another is consideration is to be careful of bones. Although dogs do enjoy chewing on a good bone, you should try to avoid most of them. Small, cooked bones are more likely to splinter posing a risk for your dogs. So try to stay away from cooked chicken bones, lamb chops, and fish bones. Fish bones are probably the worst of all.

Over time you will learn what is best for your dog. If a certain meal did not sit well with her she will probably avoid it in the future and you can make a note of that. Just keep in mind that you should follow the unique requirements of a dog’s diet and you should be fine. Then you will have a happy and healthy dog who will share your life for a long time.