You may give your dog occasional table scraps, such as meat and vegetables. But no more than one-quarter of your dog s diet should consist of such leftovers. More could upset the balance of a specially formulated, complete and balanced commercial diet. If tidbits turn him off his regular diet, stop giving them for a while your dog is trying to manipulate you into feeding only what he wants. Alternatively, prepare your own dog food from basic ingredients using one or more recipes that are nutritionally balanced and complete.
Many dogs develop tooth problems when fed exclusively moist or semi-moist commercial foods.
All dogs should be given something safe to chew on to keep their gums and teeth clean and healthy. A large dog biscuit, rawhide strip, or a raw, uncooked marrow bone is ideal. Never give your dog any other kind of bone, since the bone may splinter and cause serious internal injuries. Dogs also need a constant supply of fresh water, especially in hot weather, because they must pant in order to keep cool, causing excessive moisture loss. Dr. Michael W. Fox, born in England, obtained his veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, and moved to the US in 1962, subsequently earning his PhD and Doctor of Science.