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Modern-day consumers routinely read food packaging labels more readily than those shocking checkout tabloid headlines. The health conscious consumer checks; calories, fat content, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates and protein, to name just a few important items. For this awareness, Americans have slowly become more healthy, or "health conscious" as the case may be.

But what about man's best friend? Have you checked the nutritional facts on the side of Bowser's favorite dog food lately? If you answered no, like most dog owners, don't feel alone.

Very few dog owners realize the importance of a healthy diet or know how to administer a properly balanced feed and exercise program. Did you know the number one health concern with dogs is obesity?

Obesity in dogs can cause a number of health problems which will likely cause your pet's untimely death. Yes, your pet's diet is serious stuff. An overweight dog very likely will suffer one or more of these complications: arthritis; impaired heart and breathing functions; digestive problems; impaired liver function; skin problems and many more life-threatening, costly problems. Avoiding these and many other problems could be as simple as reading the label on your pet's food.

Most dog owners have no idea what's in their pet's food. Reading labels can be confusing if you only look at "crude" values. All dog and cat foods are required to have these values, in descending order of weight. However, only a handful of companies actually do feeding studies that measure the "useable" portions of the feed.

Ralston Purina, the world's largest dog and cat food manufacturer in the world also has the largest dog and cat feeding study program in the world. Through this research, the information gained has helped countless pet owners around the world. And the dogs and cats involved in the study enjoy excellent care, handling and eventual adoption to carrying homes.

Besides reading the label, Ralston's number recommendations to pet owners is, "stop over feeding your pets. Yes, those treats and table scraps may be causing unnecessary health problems and obesity. Ralston recommends dog owners to feed at the same time, usually in the evening, no less than six hours before the dog has to do anything strenuous.

How To Check Your Dog For Obesity
Place thumbs together, then put them on shoulders and run hands down dog's back. You should feel ribs under the skin. If you don't feel ribs, determine desired body weight and daily caloric intake. Consult your veterinarian and let him or her help develop a safe feeding program for your dog's level of activity. Ralston's Tips On Reading labels Check the label too see if the product has been animal tested. Stick with products with good reputations. Hard-working hunting dogs need nutrient-dense dog food which provides a minimum of 27 percent protein, 10 percent fat and 1,750 calories per pound of feed.

Ralston also warns against feeding canned food. Canned food usually contains 70 percent water and causes gingivitis. Adding warm water to dry food makes dry food 300 percent more palatable {yummy} for your pet.

Remember, your pet is your "best friend." Only you can control what and how much your pet eats. A well balanced diet will make you and your dog happy hunters!