Understanding the Basics of Dog Health, Nutrition and More!

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”– Josh Billings (humourist)

With that as food for thought, as their parents, we should ensure that we return the sentiment by taking good care of them right from the moment they take their first step into our lives.

There’s a lot that goes into ensuring the well-being of your dog that often goes undiscussed. Most of the time, dog parents are taking it day by day, and learning something new every day when it comes to their dog’s health, nutrition, and care.

Let’s begin by discussing the nutritional aspect of your pet’s health.

When it comes to dog nutrition, dogs can eat a variety of foods, but there are some things that they should avoid. For example, dogs should not eat chocolate, as it can be toxic to them. They should also avoid onions, as they can cause anaemia. Additionally, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Raw meat and bones can also be dangerous for dogs, as they can contain bacteria that can make them sick.

What are the nutritional requirements for a dog?

What is a complete and balanced diet for dogs?

A complete and balanced diet for dogs is one that contains all of the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Dogs need different amounts of these nutrients depending on their age, activity level, and health condition. For example, puppies need more calories and protein than adult dogs. However, if you are unsure of the amount of nutrients in their meal, you can balance them by adding the Dogsee Activet Plus+ Multi-vitamin powder that is enriched with protein, calcium and vitamin supplements, which will ensure they are getting the right amount of nutrients in their daily diet.

List of nutrients needed by dogs:

• Vitamins
• Protein
• Calcium
• Minerals
• Water
• Fats
• Carbohydrates

Dog Nutrition: With so many brands and fancy names printed on the back of the packaging, it can be hard to know what you are actually feeding your pet, and how much you’re supposed to feed him/her. So we've broken down the important information all dog parents must know when it comes to pet nutrition.

When you get a new puppy or dog, make sure to ask the previous caretaker about the pup's diet and stick to a regular feeding schedule. If you need to change the food, do so gradually and always consult with a veterinarian. You should know the stages of development for puppies and ensure they are given proper nutrition based on their age. If you need to change your pet's food, do so gradually to avoid digestion issues. Puppies need to be fed small amounts of food approximately 4 times a day, and this should be gradually decreased to 3 or 2 meals a day as they age. 

Your dog needs to drink enough water every day to stay healthy. The amount of water they need varies depending on their weight, activity level, and the season. Always make sure they have access to a clean water bowl. Ensure the bowl is filled with fresh water all the time.

Learn more about how much is a good amount of water for dogs of different sizes on our instagram post.

Give your pet healthy, nutritious food

With the growing buzzwords of “clean ingredients” “all natural pet food” along with the growing number of pet food manufacturers can make it overwhelming when it comes to deciding what to purchase for your dog.

It's important to educate yourself on pet food processing and to read the packaging label to understand what your dog is eating. Some pet food brands are processed at high temperatures, which can remove nutrients and leave cancerous ingredients in the food.Here are a few suggestions of Dogsee healthy puppy treats that are human-grade and made from 100% natural ingredients.

Healthy Dog Treats for your Fur Babies

Treats are the magical solution to getting your pet to listen to your every command, every single time. It’s like dessert at the end of a long day that makes you want to keep going and get your work done.

1- Hard Dental Chews:

Whether you have a large, medium or small dog, it’s hard to make a treat last long. And sometimes you need a long-lasting treat that will keep your dog entertained and occupied for a while when you’re doing chores, going outside or simply when you need a minute to yourself. You’re in luck, Dogsee Chew Hard Bars are the answer to your prayer. These long-lasting dental chews are your dog’s personal entertainer and bodyguard. Better yet, they come in 3 different sizes - large, medium and small - so you can choose the right bar according to your little one’s size  

Dogsee Chew Crunchies are nutritious, flavourful treats made specifically for your small pooch or puppy. These soft dog treats are great for teething, training, snacking, and for giving a little extra love for your little one. These soft puppy chews also help keep your fur baby’s skin healthy and coat shiny. They’re also extremely beneficial to your pup’s dental hygiene, ensuring fresh breath and keeping the plaque and tartar at bay.

Read a similar blog here: Learn more about 7 best Protein sources for your dog.

A few “to-do’s” to make it easier on you and your Dog’s Health Care

Regular wellness checkups is a necessity:

Puppies need to go to the vet frequently for checkups and vaccinations, and as they age, the frequency of visits decreases. However, even senior dogs need to go to the vet for regular checkups. Vet care is important for maintaining your pet's overall health and hygiene.

Vet care goes beyond treating diseases, and vaccinations, they help you maintain your pet’s health and hygiene. If your puppy or dog refuses to let you brush his/her teeth, clean his/her ears, trim his/her nails, your veterinarian can do these things for you to make things easier for you and your fur baby.

Provide your pet a safe, secure place in your home:

Dogs are territorial animals and need a safe space in their home where they feel comfortable. This space should be used only for positive activities such as eating and sleeping, and not for punishment. It’s important that when you’re punishing your dog, that you don’t put them in this place, as it can actually make your dog’s mind register this space in a negative way and lead to more unwanted behaviours.

Make sure your pet gets properly trained:

All that our fur babies want to do is make their humans happy. However, as humans, we follow a different lifestyle and code that is a foreign concept to our fur babies, unless we teach them.

In their natural habitat with their own pack, dogs learn and understand pack hierarchy, and their life revolves around following the pack, playing, hunting and eating. When we domesticate them, we need to teach them new rules that match our human lifestyle. 

Therefore, dogs need to be trained from a young age in order to learn how to behave properly in a human home. Without proper training, dogs may develop unwanted behaviours that can be hard to correct later on. A well-behaved dog is a happy dog, and proper training also helps keep them safe from harm.

Make sure your pet goes to the bathroom regularly:

Puppies need to use the bathroom regularly, and as they get older you can train them to be housebroken. However, they still need to be taken out every six hours to prevent any infection. When your dog gets older, he/she will need to use the bathroom even more frequently. If you’re unable to take them outside at regular intervals, you can buy an indoor pee pad. But make sure that this area gets thoroughly cleaned each time to ensure that you don't contact any infection or parasites from contact. Ensure that your pet gets regular exercise.

Take good care of their teeth and ears

It is important to clean your pet's ears and teeth regularly to prevent infection and disease. Ear cleaning should be done once a week, and dental care should be done every day. It is easier to do this when your pet is a puppy, but if they are older and have never been exposed to it, they may be scared and difficult during the process. If this is the case, you can schedule regular appointments with your vet to have their ears and teeth cleaned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1) What are the 3 things dogs need to stay healthy?

Answer: They need nutritious food, water and exercise to keep them happy and healthy. The food should be human grade, 100% natural and should have the right amount of proteins, calcium, vitamins and minerals.

2) How do I give my dog more nutrients?

Answer: Use a seasoning powder or a supplement powder to ensure that their daily nutritional needs are met.

3) What is the best natural food for dogs?

Answer: Dogsee’s Himalayan cheese treats are the most natural and healthy treats for dogs who need their daily dose of nutrition. It is human grade, gluten-free and grain free and made of the finest cheese derived from the Yaks and Cows of the himalayan region.

Nutrition makes up for a big portion of their well-being. The source and quality of their dog food, treats, toys and even medication determines the quality of life your dog will lead. It’s our responsibility, as dog parents, to honour the commitment we took when we brought them home: to shower them with love and ensure healthy well-being.