Nutrition

Here is a list of premium foods. These are free of corn, wheat, soy, BHT preservatives, and dyes - ingredients that signify inferior quality and that often cause serious allergic reactions in pets. All of the foods below are made with high quality meats and other ingredients (no dangerous Chinese wheat!) and important supplements. You will probably notice a difference in your pets' coats, skin, and energy levels within a few weeks. Rotate formulas and/or brands to provide varied nutrients for optimum health. Buy a bag of one type, and next time buy a different formula. As long as you choose from this list, the foods are similar in quality and changing will not cause digestive upset or finickiness. All of the sites have store locator search engines to help you find a retailer near you. I usually prefer to patronize the small locally pet supply stores, but the large chain stores also carry some of these brands. All of these companies make dog food and also excellent quality cat food. My dogs usually eat Timberwolf and Fromm. Fromm offers a 40 lb bag in a plain wrapper for about $40 to $50 and store it in a plastic sealable bin. It's an economical option if you use a lot of feed, as I do. My cats eat Serengeti, made by Timberwolf, which is especially good for males since it is low-ash and reduces risk of urinary tract problems.

Timberwolf Organics   http://www.timberwolforganics.com/

Fromm Four-Star http://www.frommfamily.com/

Eagle Pack Holistic Select http://www.eaglepack.com/Pages/HS_Home.html

Pro Pac Earthborn Holistic http://www.propacpetfood.com/dogs/index.tpl?SKU=20030327154406

Evangers http://www.evangersdogfood.com/dog/dry.html

Artemis http://www.artemiscompany.com/

Blue Buffalo http://www.Bluebuff.com

I recommend feeding dry kibble unless the dog has a medical reason that he needs canned food. Small dogs are prone to dental tartar and decay, and hard dry food is better for the teeth. Dental problems eventually lead to heart damage and even brain seizures, so dental care is essential to good health. It's a good idea to purchase a doggie dental care kit and brush the teeth regularly.   Greenies can also help. Use the same guidelines in reading labels on treats. Some good brands are Wellness Bites, Zukes, and Solid Gold. I'm sure there are other good ones as well, but most commercial treats contain wheat, sugar, dyes, preservatives, etc.

Here are some other helpful sites:
http://www.thedogfoodconspiracy.com/dog-food-secretsii.php
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/
http://www.rateitall.com/

Also on the topic of nutrition, here is a helpful site on determining proper weight:

http://www.petcaretips.net/overweight_dogs.html

You should be able to feel your dogs ribs easily, and they should have a defined waist. I hope you find this info useful. There is lots of information here, but I think you will find it quite worthwhile.