Deciding what food to feed your dog isn't a decision you should take lightly. Exercise is vital to your dog's health, but diet is the most significant contributor to their wellbeing. Feeding your dog healthy food, treats, and bones prepares them for long and healthy lives. Keep reading for six more tips to improve your dog's nutrition fast. 

1) Look at the Labels on Dog Food

No matter the brand, you shouldn't pick a dog food based purely on advertisements. By carefully examining every label on the food you buy for your dog, you can make informed purchases. 

Product labels list ingredients in order from the largest amount to the smallest amount. To find out more, google each ingredient followed by “good for dogs.” According to M-dog.org, many foods use subpar ingredients like meat by-products or artificial preservatives. 

2) Introduce Fresh, Whole Foods to their Diet

Fruits and vegetables are rich in live enzymes and can add so much nutrition to your dog's diet. They also are rich in fiber, which aids digestion in your pet. Try to find healthy ingredients that your dog loves and use them as treats. 

To absorb the nutrients as much as possible, try puréed vegetables in your pet's diet. You could also feed whole fruits or vegetables as a bone substitute, helping gum and teeth maintenance. 

3) Feed Ingredients Rich in Antioxidants

Inflammation is a significant cause of diseases in pets. By feeding processed food too often, you could increase your dog's risk of premature aging, pancreatitis, and osteoarthritis. It's best to add some anti-inflammatory whole foods into their diet to mitigate these diseases.

Whole foods like fruits and vegetables can reduce inflammation in the body overall. Be sure to keep your dog young and healthy with antioxidant-rich foods. 

4) Avoid Gluten

Your dog's waste can be smelly because of food containing gluten meal. Gluten meal consists of dried residue made of corn, used in pet food to prevent unstable fats from going bad. However, this could also put a strain on your pet's kidneys and liver. 

To be as safe as possible, prevent feeding corn gluten or other meal by-products whenever possible. 

5) Use Raw Coconut Oil as Fat 

Raw coconut oil is a healthy, saturated fat. Dogs need healthy fats, just like humans. By including raw coconut oil in your dog's diet, you can help manage your dog's weight by giving them energy. 

One of the most significant benefits of coconut oil is that it goes directly to the liver, where it converts into energy. It allows your dog to exercise more often and become healthier and happier.

6) Limit Treats and Don't Overfeed

One of the worst things you can do for your dog's health is overfeeding them treats and other food. If your pet is overweight, try feeding them earlier in the day so they have more time to work off the pounds.

You could also consider making healthy treats at home using dried coconut flakes or similar ingredients. Remember, you can give your dogs treats, but use them sparingly. Leaner, smaller dogs are healthier pets. 

Be Creative for Your Dog's Health

If your dog is overweight, be creative with your diet. Try feeding new, exciting whole foods like fruits or vegetables. By avoiding dangerous ingredients like gluten meal or other by-products, you'll be saving your dog's health in the long run. Even by limiting treats and not overfeeding, you can do wonders for your dog's health.