Being a dog owner is a job with many responsibilities, an important one being choosing the idea diet for the dog. If the decision is to go with a commercial dog food brand, then it is imperative to read the ingredients label. The first and largest ingredient in the food has to be a form of protein, of which chicken, beef, lamb are good sources. A well-balanced dog food comprises of 50% meat with vegetables following closely at 40% and the remaining 10% from grains.

Beware of the preservatives that go into many of the commercial dog-food products which might be dangerous to your pet, even causing death if eaten indiscriminately. A good vet or reliable canine health website would be a good resource to double-check the ingredients listed.

There are quite a few mainstream pet food stores that sell high quality dog food. All you need to do is go to one of these stores and anyone would be happy to help you with anything you may need. You can always ask as many questions as you like. Most of them are more than happy to help. You may even find yourself asking about the many types of wellness dog food on the market today. Which would be another incredible way to ensure your best friend will be happy and healthy.

There are people who decide to go the "home made" route.(making their own version of high quality dog food), Cooking the meat and vegetables, and grains right there in their very own kitchen. There are millions of dog food recipes over the Internet, but every ingredient must be the same as every commercially made dog food. As the commercial dog food it should still contain 50% meat, 40% vegetables and 10% grain. Meats should be cooked thoroughly, the same applies to rice, oatmeal and grains.

Many dog owners take a decision to keep their dogs on a vegetarian diet which most experts say is acceptable. However, dogs are essentially carnivorous animals and need meat in their diet to be their healthiest selves. Eating meat regularly keeps a dog in good spirits. A dog who has to eat only vegetarian food might become bored and turn into a picky eater.

You also need to watch for signs of a multitude of dog food allergies. A few of these signs are: Itchy skin, ear infections that seem continual, hair loss, Increase in bowel movements, and constant itching. You would be wise to watch for these signs

After fixing the ration of nutrition in the dog's diet, it is time to experiment. A dog's food should not be seasoned but variety is always possible. There are some foods that should be completely avoided in the interest of the dog's health, like garlic, avocados, grapes, mushrooms, raisins and chocolate.

You dog's cuisine is only limited by your imagination. And there are countless ways to give your dog a loving treat - by checking labels of the commercial brands, or making a special dish at home that is completely organic and balance. A happy dog is always a well-fed dog and monitoring the dog's diet will ensure many years of shared happiness between you and your animal companion.