Dogs, like all other animals, must eat. There are, though, many ways to approach the question of dog food. You must not only decide what to feed your dog, but also when and how you intend to feed your dog. Most of these questions will be answered depending upon the size and breed of your dog. There are many answers to the question of “What's the best dog food for my dog?”

The truth is, there is not one best dog food. Your dog is an individual, and what you feed him will not only depend on his breed, it may also depend on his personality and tastes. You should also take into account his age. Puppies have different nutritional needs than elderly dogs do. Moreover, if your dog has been ill or has just undergone surgery, he will also need a different type and level of feeding than he did before. You should also consider your pet's activity level. Active dogs need a different type of food, as well as more regular feedings, than sedentary dogs do.

How to Keep Our Dog

Dog’s skin is very sensitive. The dog’s skin is shining, healthy and free from dandruff if it is taken proper care of. Its skin depends on the diet it has. Its skin will be in good condition only if it has correct weight. An underweight or an overweight dog may have health problems. Knowledge, precaution and proper attention will surely keep the dogs healthy. Regular vaccinations ensure dogs from getting affected from any infection. The most common disease is allergy in dogs. To keepthem away from allergy the surroundings should be clean.A daily bath to a dog will make its skin lose its natural oils. It is advisable to give a bath at intervals or when you find them to be very dirty. They should be patted dry with a soft towel and their coatshould be brushed with a soft brush. This will help the skin look shining and healthy.Grooming can be a special bonding time between you and your dog. You can also use this time to check your dog’s health. Look carefully for signs of fleas, ticks, skin irritations, lumps or painful spots. Check your dog's eyes, ears and teeth regularly. Consult your veterinarian if you find anything unusual or concerning.

Adult dogs should be fed twice a day. Young puppies need food to help them grow big and strong, so they need to be fed often. As they grow older the number of feeds can be reduced. When the pup is 6 to 10 weeks, feed him 1/4 cup of food three or four times a day or every four hours, gradually reducing to thrice, till he is 6 months and then twice a day by the time he is an year old. Over feeding at an early age will have a long term effect especially as some breeds are prone to obesity. Dogs, especially young ones need a diet with high levels of proteins, fatty matters, vitamins and minerals to promote the development of bones and muscles. Dogs are meant to be carnivores and meat loaded with fat and protein is the best food but, you can make them omnivores /vegetarians by giving them a well balanced vegetarian meal complete with needed nutrients. Dry, canned and semi- moist foods are readily available from stores as dog food. Dry food which costs the least comes in chunks or nuggets which can be nibbled and may be served by itself or by moistening or mixing with milk, oil (1tsp corn oil with 1/ pound dry food) or with a whole cooked egg. Dogs need minimum 15% of protein a day and the average recommendation is between 22 and 25% and that of fat between 20 and 50 %. Home made food must be well balanced. It can be boiled meat with rice, oats etc or a vegetarian option can be lentils cooked with vegetables like spinach or soya bean cooked and mixed with either rice or whole grain pasta. Food must be served warm or at room temperature and not straight out of the fridge. Fresh water for drinking should be made available at all times.

A dog can be bathed as young as six weeks. Frequent bathing remove essential oils, dries out the dog's skin and coat and leads to skin infections. Bathe them once in two - three weeks or even a month. Rub them down with a damp towel or wash just the paws if they tend to get dirty often. Use mild soap or shampoo (like neem, petmosol etc). Some shampoos may be allergic. Stop use if any redness or itching is noticed. Rinse thoroughly after shampooing. When washing your dog, keep the water out of his ears and eyes as much as possible. Use large pieces of cotton to block the ears and don't forget to remove them after bath.Regular grooming on a daily basis with a brush or comb keeps your dog clean and its coat healthy. Grooming can begin when dogs are two to four months old. Brush out and remove any mats in the coat before bathing. Begin by pushing hair up and away from the direction it naturally grows with one hand. Then with the other hand, brush the coat back down a few inches at a time. Nails should be trimmed regularly with a dog nail trimmer. Always check the pad's on your dog's feet for injuries and make sure that they are not getting raw or sore. A thorough oral exam of your dog's mouth and teeth should be part of your regular grooming routine. Veterinary research shows that periodontal disease permits the spread of bacteria that can attack the kidneys, liver and heart. Ears also should be kept clean. The earlier you start and younger the dog, the more comfortable he will be, with the grooming sessions.

If the dog is to be kept in top condition and happy, exercise is a requirement as important as feeding. Lack of exercise can attribute to almost every behavioral problem in dogs. It may also make them obese and susceptible to health problems such as lameness, diabetes, heart and lung diseases and intestinal disorders. Never keep your dog constantly tied up. The dog will become bored and bad tempered. Whenever he has the chance to escape, he will. Instead allow the dog the freedom of your home. Dogs or puppies need basic training in obedience and should complete all the vaccinations before it is safe to take them out in public for any kind of exercise. A quarter mile walk is more than enough exercise for a two month old puppy. Older dogs can be walked or run twice a day. Allow him to sniff, explore and take his time rather than simply dragging him along. If it is safe, allow him time off the leash as well. Walk, don't run short legged dogs. The length of the exercise sessions may be increased as they get stronger and more fit. But stop as soon as they show any signs of distress like panting, limping etc. Besides walking, exercise may include running, jogging, playing with a ball, fetching a frisbee etc. Swimming is also a good exercise which also assists in cleaning.