Is Dry Dog Food Good For Your Labrador Retriever?
Article by Richard Cussons
The Labrador Retriever is an active and multi-talented breed of dog. It is expected to carry out various roles to be of service to people. In countries like United States and Australia, the Labrador Retriever is considered as the most popular breed of assistance dog and also makes excellent pets and working dogs. With all the happiness and countless help this breed offers, it is just right to give them what they deserve. For sure they will never ask for anything other than your attention, care, praise and love. Show them how much you love them by taking good care of them, providing toys and activities to entertain them, giving them a comfortable place to sleep, water to drink and food to keep them healthy and active.
The health of your Labrador Retriever depends on you. Choosing the activities they must do, how often they should take a bath and what foods to eat are some of your several responsibilities to your dog. Many issues concerning dog foods are coming out from all corners of veterinary world. Some claims dry dog food to be the best dog food because it has various health benefits for your dog. Others go for semi moist food because it taste better.
There is really no specific answer when somebody ask what is the best dog food. The answer will always be "it depends". Each dog has is own specific dietary needs depending on its breed, age, size, activities and health condition. Puppies and older dogs may need different amount of calories. Same with normal and overweight dogs. A dog with health problem, even as simple as fever, has different dietary requirement compared to healthy dog.
For some reasons, most owners consider dry dog food as the best. One obvious reason for sure is the convenience this type of food brings. Feeding your dog is a no sweat process in this type of food. All you have to do is grab one from grocery stalls, tear open the package and pour the contents into your dog's food bowl. Aside from that, dry dog food is known to contain the most nutrients your dog needs. However, this food contains 10% water making it hard to chew especially to older dogs. You can wet the food to make it easy for your dog. Dry dog food is also said to benefit the dog's teeth and mouth condition by preventing tartar buildup.
Not all dry dog foods are proven safe for Fido. Some brands contain unknown ingredients and are mainly fillers such as soybean meal, corn meal and corn gluten meal. Food colorings are also present in dog foods. These food colorings can be made from chemicals and can cause health issues.
Make it a habit to carefully read the product label. Check the ingredients making sure that meat is included in the list. Meat is important because it is the source of natural protein for dogs. Nutrition greatly affects your dog's health. Lack of it can cause high cholesterol, obesity and countless other ailments that could eventually shorten your dog's life.
About the Author
Richard Cussons writes articles about dogs. This site about Labrador Retriever contains valuable Labrador training tips.
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The Four Main Types of Dog Food for Your Labrador Retriever
Article by Enrico Pallatzo
Canned Dog Food
This type of dog food is often very expensive, especially if you're trying to feed a large Labrador Retriever with small cans of food. Canned dog food also contains up to 75% water which means your dog will only be receiving 25% meat, and the meat is definitely not the choice cuts of meat, it is usually the scraps blended up. Canned dog food is best used when your dog is having digestive problems or would just like a little added flavor to their dry dog food.
Semi-Moist Dog Food
Because semi-moist foods taste better than dry dog food and are easier to prepare than canned dog food, many people choose to use this type of food to feed their Labrador retrievers. Semi-moist dog food usually comes in an easy to open container or even in a package that looks like a hamburger patty. This type of food contains a lot less water than canned dog foods but can often been more expensive and contain other preservatives. Some dogs will have an allergic reaction to the variety of preservatives or additives that are in this type of food. You should limit the amount of food your dog eats from this semi-moist dog food category.
Dry Dog Food
Your veterinarian will often recommend the type of dry dog food you should use for your dog. Dry dog food is best used as the base for your dog's diet, but used alone this type of dog food can become very boring for your pet. The nutritional value of dry dog foods varies greatly so you should be sure to discuss the type of food that is best for your dog with your veterinarian.
Table Scraps As Dog Food
Many people feel like they are giving their dog a treat when they feed them table scraps, but often the scraps are very high in calories, sugar, and fat. A diet of table scraps alone would be very unhealthy for your dog. Labradors need lots of energy and energy comes from the combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Too much of any one of these groups can cause health problems for your lab. Use table scraps as an added treat with your dog's regular dry dog food.
About the Author
Enrico Pallatzo is a professional dog trainer. Graduate of Temple University. Hobbies include opera singing and scuba diving. Currently is a full-time freelance writer in the pet industry.Get more information regarding dog information.
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