For The Love Of Dog: Proving Devotion Through Doggy’s Diet (NAPSA)—Between the faithful morning paper runs and the endless affection, many dog owners wonder how to return the favor to their furry friends. Here’s some food for thought: The most effective way to forge a trusting connection with your dog is through his stomach. Because your pooch is hardwired to develop loyalty to the hand that feeds him, it’s important to put only the best, most nutritious foods on your pup’s plate. While some dog owners are concerned that a gourmet upgrade to Fido’s feast might be complicated, there are several easy ways to pledge your puppy love and ensure your dog maintains the highest-quality diet. Try thesetips: Shop Smart When shopping for dog food, the most important ingredient to look out for is high-quality meat. You can find it in foods like Rachael Ray Nutrish premium dog food from Food Network star Rachael Ray. Inspired by Ray’s own beloved furry friend, Isaboo, the food’s first ingredient is real meat. It’s available in chicken & veggies and beef & brown rice varieties. With no by-products, artificial flavors or preservatives, your dog gets his fill of vitamins, protein and other vital nutrients. The brand also offers tasty treats like Isaboo Booscotti and Isaboo Grill Bites, which come in a vari- ety of flavors. Additionally, 100 percent of Rachael’s proceeds from the sales of the dog food and treats go to Rachael’s Rescue, which supports pet charities and causes (www.nutrishforpets.com). Healthful Snacks Aside from the standard two meals a day to keep your dog in Rachael Ray shows her dog Isaboo love by feeding her a healthy and delicious doggydiet. healthy and fortified, it is important to keep a stash of tasty treats to reward good behavior, as well as encourage some new tricks. In moderation, providing scrumptious snacks (along with ample verbal praise) is a surefire way to solidify a loving bond with your dog. Table Manners While most humans can’t resist those big puppy eyes staring longingly at the table, the worst habit a dog can develop is begging for table scraps. Bad manners aside, regular consumption of human leftovers could result in obesity and poor nutrition. For optimal caninecare, it’s best to stick to a well-formulated dog food that offers essential dog-specific nutrients. Portion Control Like people, dogs can overeat and become obese. Talk with your dog’s veterinarian about portion sizes and check the side of the dog food bag to see how much food Fido should have each day. Guidelines are usually based on the weight of the dog.
