Dry and Canned Food

• Your dog's diet should consist of a mixture of dry and canned dog foods. All dogs benefit from having a little bit of both. If your dog is not too heavy and does not gain weight easily, the best diet is an amount of free-feed dry food per day, plus one canned meal per day. For dogs with low metabolism, dogs on a diet, or dogs that cannot responsibly free feed, it is important to set a standard for the amount of dog food your dog gets. All dogs should have dry food each day. Follow the suggested feeding amount on the dog food package for your dog's weight. When free feeding, give it that amount of dry food in the morning and no more until the next day. When feeding in meals, give it that amount of dry food divided into portions several times during the day. Canned food should be used in the same way. Follow the daily feeding recommendation for the canned food as per your dog's weight. Feed him that amount once a day.
  
  

Ingredients

• If possible, feed your dog the same type of dry and wet food. Choose a brand of food by reading the ingredients, doing a product review and talking to your veterinarian. Your dog's food should be recommended by a veterinarian. Read the ingredient list on the back of the package. Each ingredient is listed in the order of percentage, meaning the first ingredient listed is the ingredient that appears most in the food. Good dog foods will have real meat listed within the top three ingredients. Following the meat should be a variety of vegetables, such as peas and carrots. Rice is another good ingredient. Stay away from foods that include corn, meat meal, meat byproducts and chemicals as ingredients.
  
  

Treats, Water, Exercise and Other Food

• A healthy diet should also include rawhides and other chew bones designed to keep your dog's mouth and teeth healthy. Regular training treats can be used as well. Be sure to choose treats that are low in fat and calories. Don't give your dog people food or table food as a treat. Choose treats by looking at ingredients and using the same standards as for food.
  
  Healthy dogs need a lot of fresh water every day. Change your dog's water several times a day. Never leave your dog without fresh water. Make sure that your dog has plenty of exercise so it helps digest food.