A dog’s health is of great concern to loving pet owners. Choosing the right type of food is essential for providing your dog the required nutrients to thrive. While many dog owners can be well-meaning, consistently offering your dog too many treats or table scraps can negatively affect their health. Overweight pets can suffer several health problems such as canine diabetes and early arthritic symptoms.

The following tips provide guidance for choosing the most nutritious food and eliminating unhealthy habits for your dog:

1. Scrutinize the label
Advertisers can be fiendishly clever in their attempts to persuade customers to purchase their products. While the package may claim the dog food is nutritious, it’s best to carefully comb over the details. Check Iams dog food ingredients list prior to purchasing. An animal byproduct is not something you should be feeding your dog. Instead, look for proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals listed. These essential nutrients are responsible for maintaining your dog’s health.

2. Introduce whole foods
While feeding your dog table scraps can be an unhealthy habit, some people’s foods can be beneficial. Fish, carrots, and pumpkin, for example, included in your dog’s diet, provide increased nutrients. These foods also can reduce the rate of heart disease in dogs. Most canines will happily consume nutritious whole foods that provide excellent health benefits in addition to regular dog food. Dog foods can also include these types of ingredients, but verify they don’t contain manufactured byproducts.

3. Look for a food rich in antioxidants and healthy fats
An excellent way to choose your dog’s food is to identify specific ingredients that offer the highest level of nutrition. Antioxidants in dog food should include vitamins C, E, and citric acid. Vitamin C and citric acid are in many fruits naturally, while vitamin E may be written as “mixed tocopherols” on the dog food label. Healthy fats found in dog food originate from both animal fats and oils. Fish, for example, offers omega-3 acids and is a very beneficial source of fat for your dog. Omega-6 fatty acids, which provide dogs healthy fat, are available in chicken. Look for dog food that contains these types of ingredients to ensure the right balance of antioxidants and healthy fats.

4. Don’t overfeed or over-treat
It can be very tempting to overindulge your pet with treats or provide them extra food. Most dogs have an innate ability to trigger sympathy in their owners with just a look. However, when you overfeed or provide too many treats, you’re increasing your dog’s health risks. Since dogs can’t take care of themselves, it’s up to dog owners to make the best judgments for their pets. An overweight dog can suffer numerous health problems such as canine diabetes. Dogs also suffer from heart disease, and excess weight can contribute to a shortened life span. It’s best to choose the most healthy dog treats for rewarding your pet. Greenies offer several healthy options for dog treats. While it can be tempting, don’t overindulge your animal friend for the sake of their health.