Best diet for a healthy dog

Nobody knows exactly how it happened, but roughly 15,000 years ago a few wolves stopped competing with humans for food, and they all started working together instead.

Their descendants evolved into dogs, and while the diet of the two species is different, it’s useful to keep their ancestors in mind when deciding what to feed them, and how much.

Balanced diet basics

A healthy dog needs protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. And the levels of each of these depends on the life stage of the dog, and their general state of health.

You could spend a fair amount of time researching, experimenting and cooking your own healthy dog food, or, you could follow the advice of the RSPCA…

‘The basis of your dog’s diet should be a high quality balanced premium commercial dog food that is appropriate for their life stage (puppy, adolescent, adult, pregnant, senior) and health status.’

Adding to the menu

The basics can be enhanced with the addition of raw meat and bones, which most dogs will heartily relish. Keep their ancestors in mind when preparing the feast however. Wolves hunt, kill, and eat every scrap of their protein without it being cooked. Your dog will thank you for the same treatment.  Served on a plate. 

Without the effort of having to find it, chase it and hunt it down. Perhaps the dogs have domesticated us…

How much to feed your dog

Adult dogs should be fed twice a day, at least, however keep an eye on their weight and you’ll soon see if it’s too much.

Many dogs will just keep eating, no matter how much you put in front of them. Another trait they get from their ancestors who’d fill up when they can, unsure of when the next meal might arrive. 

Dogs, however, have trained us to feed them on a fairly regular basis, yet their instinct is still to prepare for the famine round the corner.