MARKtoe! AUGUSTUS 2023 Uitgawe 107 | Page 60

PETS

Give your dogs ’ food bowls a good clean with hot soapy water every day to get rid of biofilm ( that gives a bowl a slimy coating ) can lead to bad bacteria in the gut , causing all sorts of gastrointestinal problems .

It may not always have enough of all the nutrients your dog needs , so should be given with a high quality dry food , which is often more nutrient-rich than wet food .

A dog ’ s optimum diet should contain six basic nutrients - protein , fats , water , carbohydrates , vitamins , and minerals .

Because dry food has a crunch , it also helps dogs maintain their dental hygiene by reducing plaque and tartar build-up . In general , it is less expensive than wet food , easier to store and has a longer shelf life , so it can be bought in bulk .

For these reasons , many people feed a meal of predominantly dry food , with just a bit of wet food and water mixed in , to create a crunchy combination of dry food and soft , meaty flavour . Wet food can go “ off ” if left open too long , so rather buy small tins or pouches than leave a big can in the fridge for days .

Some lower quality dry dog foods can contain more preservatives and artificial flavours , so always make sure you are choosing a brand with plenty of minerals and vitamins , a high protein content and fewer artificial ingredients .

RAW FOOD

Some people swear by raw food diets , which usually contain a

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