Are you feeding your dog right?

How many treats should you give your pooch? Why is obesity a growing concern? Did you know not enough water and too much chocolate can kill your pooch?

Your dog is an omnivore, and needs a diet of meat and veggies to stay healthy. Whether you feed him moist food or dry food or a combination of both, make sure it's good quality. And don't feed cat food to your dog--it is not properly balanced for dogs.

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It's a good rule of thumb (or should we say "rule of paw"?) to feed your adult dog once a day. For some larger dogs, it's better to feed two smaller meals. If you've got a puppy, the guidelines are:

8 to 12 weeks: 4 meals a day
3 to 6 months: 3 meals a day
6 months to one year: 2 meals a day

Is your pooch an action hero or a couch potato? If you can't feel Rover's ribs, he may need to shed a few pounds. Ask your vet for a doggie diet-and-exercise program.

Snack time! Treats are terrific for dogs, but don't go overboard. Most packaged treats contain lots of sugar and fat, which can pack on the pounds. Some dogs like cottage cheese, cooked egg and vegetables, but they shouldn't make up more than ten percent of his total daily intake.

Fill 'er up! Your dog should have a bowl of fresh, clean water available at ALL times. Refill his bowl at least once a day.

Memorise this list of No-Nos for your pooch:

Chocolate
Bones
Milk