CHAPTER FIVE
FEEDING FOR FITNESS
IN THIS CHAPTER
UNDERSTANDING WHAT’S IN DOG FOOD CHOOSING YOUR DOGS DIET FEEDING PUPPIES CONTROLLING WEIGHT I HAVE TI ADMIT I WAS FAIRLY IGNORANT ABOUT DOG FOODS BEFORE I STARTED BREEDING AND SHOWING DOGS. “ A LITTLE OF THIS… A LITTLE OF THAT” WAS THE STATED DOG FOOD IN MY HOUSE WHILE GROWING UP. OVER THE YEARS I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT DOG NUTRITION. I LEARNED FROM READING ON THE INTERNET AND FROM MY COUSIN WHO’S A PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER, WHERE I LEARNED A LOT OF WHAT I’M WRITING ABOUT. SHE TRAINED MY GERMAN SHEPHERD IN PERSONAL PROTECTION, SEARCH AND RESCUE, TRICKS, AND SERVICE WORK. LET ME TELL YOU ALL OF THIS INFORMATION WAS A MAJOR REVELATION. AREN’T ALL THE DOG FOODS BASICALLY THE SAME YOU ASK? NO NOT AT ALL. DOG FOODS ARE NOT THE SAME AT ALL!! THE ONLY TRUE SIMILARITY IS IN THE PERCENTAGE OF ORGANIC COMPONENTS REQUIRED TO MEET A DOG’S DAILY ALLOWANCE, WHICH IS GOVERNED BY THE AAFCO (AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF FOOD CONTROL OFFICIALS). TO PICK THE RIGHT FOOD, YOU’LL NEED TO LEARN HOW TO READ INGREDIENT LABELS. FORMULAS THAT AGREE WITH ONE PUPPY WON’T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH ANOTHER. YOU MAY DISCOVER THAT THE MOST COSTLY, AGGRESSIVELY MARKETED, OR CLEVERLY LABELED FOOD ISN’T NECESSARILY THE BEST. ALSO THE BEST FOOD THAT YOU FIND BY READING THE LABEL MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE WITH YOUR DOG EITHER. I PERSONALLY LIKE THE ALL ORGANIC DOG FOODS THAT DON’T HAVE ALL THE GRAINS BUT FOR SOME REASON MY SHEPHERD GET’S REALLY SICK FROM IT, BUT THE LITTLE ONES ARE OK. YOU MAY WANT TO TRY SMALL SAMPLE SIZE FOODS FIRST. ALWAYS REMEMBER TO SWITCH YOUR DOG SLOWLY OVER TO THE NEW FOOD. MOST DOGS WILL TEND TO GET SICK WHEN THEY’RE SWITCHED OVER WITHOUT MIXING IN THEIR OLDER FOOD THAT THEY’RE USED TO.
READING THE DOG FOOD LABEL:
SIX ESSENTIALS
A GOOD DIET IS LIKE SETTING A STURDY FOUNDATION BEFORE YOU START BUILDING YOUR HOUSE. IF YOU DON’T LAY THE GROUNDWORK, YOUR DOG WON’T LIVE UP TO HIS FULL POTENTIAL, EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE FINEST TRAINING REGIME IN HISTORY.
DOG FOODS ARE NOT ALL THE SAME. LIKE BOOKS AND PEOPLE, YOU CAN’T JUDGE THE CONTENTS BY WHAT YOU SEE ON THE COVER OR OUTSIDE. TO PICK THE RIGHT FOOD YOU’LL HAVE TO CONSIDER (WHO ELSE?) YOU DOG! HIS AGE, BREED, AND LIFESTYLES.
DOG FOODS DO HAVE CERTAIN THINGS IN COMMON, HOWEVER. TO PASS REGULATORY STANDARDS, THEY MUST CONTAIN SIX ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS: PROTEIN, FAT, CARBOHYDRATES, VITAMINS, MINERALS, AND WATER. BUT THAT’S WHERE THE SIMILARITIES USUALLY END. THE MARKERS OF DOG FOODS DIVERGE ON WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE USED TO REACH THE MINIMUM DAILY REQUIREMENTS (MDR). FOR EXAMPLE, SOME USE SOY (A VEGETABLE PROTEIN) TO MEET THE DAILY REQUIREMENTS, WHEREAS OTHERS USE ANIMALS PROTEIN. LET’S LOOK AT THE ESSENTIALS ONE AT A TIME.
PROTEIN
PROTEIN IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE INGREDIENT IN DOG FOODS. ITS SOURCE OFTEN DETERMINES THE QUALITY OF THE FOOD. ANIMAL SOURCES ARE SUPERIOR. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE’S NOT ENOUGH MEAT AROUND TO SATISFY ALL THE PET DOGS IN THE WORLD, SO THE PRODUCERS SUBSTITUTE VEGETABLE PROTEIN. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VEGETABLE AND ANIMALS PROTEIN? VEGETABLE IS OFTEN HARDER RO DIGEST, AND MORE OF IS HAS TO BE CONSUMED TO MEET THE DOG’S NEEDS. MORE FOOD EQUALS MORE STOOL. MY ADVICE IS TO FIND A FOOD THAT USES MORE ANIMAL PROTEIN THAT VEGETABLE PROTEIN AND REQUIRES SMALLER RATIONS TO MEET THE MDR.
MORE PROTEIN IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER. HIGH PROTEIN DIETS ARE SUED FOR SHOW OR WORKING DOGS. IF YOUR DOG’S MELLOW OR SPENDS MANY HOUSES ALONE, FEEDING A HIGH PROTEIN DIET WILL MAKE HER JITTERY AND HYPER. WHEN READING THE LABEL, WATCH FOR KEY WORDS LIKE GLUTEN MEAL AND ANIMAL PROTEIN. THESE INDICATE ANIMAL PROTEIN SOURCES. WORDS LIKE CORN, SOY, AND RICE ALL TELL YOU THE PROTEIN IS FROM VEGETABLE SOURCES.
CARBOHYDRATES
SOME DOG FOOD MANUFACTURES MEET THE MDR FOR PROTEIN BY USING PRIMARILY VEGETABLE MATTER. VEGETABLE SOURCES OF PROTEIN ALSO CONTAIN HIGH LEVELS OF CARBOHYDRATES -- NOT A BAD DIET FOR HUMANS, BUT WHAT’S GOOD FOR HUMANS ISN’T ALWAYS GOOD FOR A DOG. THE REASON WE DIGEST CARBOHYDRATES IS THAT WE START DIGESTION IN OUR MOUTHS, CHEWING AND BREAKING DOWN THE FOOD. DOGS DON’T CHEW, THEY GULP, AND THEIR DIGESTION DOESN’T BEGIN UNTIL THE FOOD GET INTO THEIR STOMACH.
WHY IN THIS IMPORTANT? FOODS HIGH IS CARB CAN CAUSE DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS IN DOGS, SUCH AS BLOATING, UPSET STOMACH, CONSTIPATION, ND EXCESSIVE STOOL. MAKE SURE YOU PICK A DIET THAT CONTAINS MORE ANIMAL PROTEIN THAT VEGETABLE PROTEIN. HOW? READ THE LABEL AND SELECT A FOOD THAT HAS TWO OR MORE ANIMAL SOURCES OF PROTEIN LISTED IN THE FIRST FIVE INGREDIENTS.
MANY DOGS ARE ALLERGIC TO GRAINS FOUND IN DOG FOOD. THE MOST COMMON ALLERGIES ARE TO CORN, WHEAT, AND SOY. CERTAIN GRAINS ALSO MAY CONTAIN FERTILIZER RESIDUE, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ALLERGIC REACTION. IF YOUR DOG REFUSES TO EAT HIS FOOD OR HIS DIGESTION SEEMS ABNORMAL IS ANY WAY, CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN. DAVE THE LABELS FROM YOUR DOG’S FOOD. THIS WILL HELP INDENTIFY POSSIBLE AGGRAVATING INGREDIENTS.
TIPS
* ALSO IF YOU DO OWN CHINESE CRESTEDS THE USUAL CAUSE OF SKIN PROBLEMS IS USUALLY FROM GRAINS. ALSO TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM LAMB IN THEIR DIETS. I’VE ONLY HAD ONE CRESTED IN OUR BLOODLINE THAT HAD A SKIN ISSUE AND IT WAS EASILY FIXED BY CHANGING HIS DIET. HE HAS NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE!
* ONE OTHER THING TO REMEMBER IN CHOOSING A DIET FOR YOUR FOUR LEGGED SIDE KICK THAT IF YOU DO END UP AT THE VET, THAT THEY USUALLY SELL THEIR OWN BRAND OF DOG FOOD. MOST VETS HAVE PRETTY DECENT FOODS AT THEIR OFFICES BUT IT’S ALSO NOT ALWAYS THE BEST. THEY’RE THERE FOR SELL THE BRAND THEY REPRESENT THERE SO IF YOU READ THE LABEL AND YOU DON’T LIKE WHAT YOU SEE DON’T FEEL BAD ABOUT GETTING FOOD ELSEWHERE. YOU’RE LOCAL PET STORE IS THE BEST TO BUY FROM AND THEY USUALLY HAVE PRETTY GOOD KNOWLEDGE ON THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOOD. REMEMBER TO DESCRIBE YOUR DOG’S BREED, AGE AND ACTIVITY LEVEL. GROCERY STORES, WAL-MART, AND OTHER STORES LIKE THEM USUALLY HAVE FOODS WITH MOSTLY VEGETABLE PROTEINS, ANIMAL BI-PRODUCTS AND GRAINS. SO BE CAREFUL!
FATS
PLEASE DON’T EVER BUY FAT-FREE DOG FOOD!!! I KNOW IT SOUNDS TEMPTING, BUT YOUR DOG NEEDS FAT TO KEEP THEIR SKIN AND COAT HEALTHY AND FOR OVERALL BODY FUNCTIONS. USED IN THE PROPER AMOUNT, FAT WILL GIVE YOUR DOG ENERGY AND KEEP HIM COOL WHEN IT’S WARM AND WARM WHEN IT’S COLD. HOW DOES IT DO THIS YOU MAY ASK? FAT IS AN INSULATOR, PROTECTING THE BODY FROM EXTREMES IN TEMPERATURE. NEAT HUH?!?
FAT SPOILS QUICKLY, HOWEVER, SO READ YOUR FOOD LABEL AND RESPECT THE EXPIRATION DATE. RANCID FAT CAN LEAD TO A WHOLE SLEW OF HEALTH PROBLEMS.
VITAMINS AND MINERALS
HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT VITAMINS DO AND WHY THEY ARE NECESSARY FOR GOOD HEALTH? VITAMINS DO TWO THINGS:
1. THEY UNLOCK NUTRIENTS FROM FOOD.
2. THEY PROVIDE ENERGY.
THE NEED FOR VITAMINS CARIES DEPENDING ON YOUR DOG AND HIS LIFESTYLE. THE AVERAGE DOG FOOD, HOWEVER, DOESN’T TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION. THE TRUTH IS THAT THE MDR WAS SET FOR LABORATORY BEAGLE-STYLE DOGS. TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT, ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT VITAMINS ARE A RATHER UNSTABLE LOT, EASILY DESTROYED BY LIGHT AND HEAT, AND YOU’LL BE WISE TO INVEST IN A GOOD VITAMIN SUPPLEMENT. ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN FOR A SUGGESTION.
VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES CAN LEAD TO POOR GROWTH, DIGESTIVE DISORDERS, ELIMINATION PROBLEMS, STOOL EATING, A WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM, GREASY AND STINKY COATS, ADDISON’S DISEASE (THYROID MALFUNCTION), AGGRESSION, TIMIDITY, AND STERILITY. NOT A PRETTY LIST!
MINERALS ARE A LOT LIKE VITAMINS. THEY HELP THE BODY MAINTAIN ITS NORMAL DAILY ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS CIRCULATION, ENERGY PRODUCTION, AND CELL REGENERATION. ALTHOUGH MINERAL DEFICIENCIES ARE NOT THAT UNCOMMON, DO NOT SUPPLEMENT YOUR DOG’S DIET UNLESS DIRECTED BY YOUR VETERINARIAN. THAT’S BECAUSE TOO MANY MINERALS CAN CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS.
THAT ABSORPTION OF IRON, A MINERAL NECESSARY FOR GOOD CIRCULATION, IS AGGRAVATED WHEN FEEDING A DIET HIGH IN SOY PROTEIN.
WATER
DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR DOG CAN LIVE THREE WEEKS WITHOUT FOOD BUT WILL DIE WITHIN DAYS WITHOUT WATER? WATER IS NECESSARY FOR ALL DIGESTIVE PROCESSES AS WELL AS TEMPERATURE REGULATION, NUTRIENT ABSORPTION, AND AS A TRANSPORTATION MEDIUM, SHIPPING THINGS BETWEEN ORGANS AND OUT OF THE BODY.
HOW MUCH WATER DOES YOUR DOG NEED DEPENDS ON HIS PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND THE TYPE OF FOOD HE EATS. PANTING IS YOUR DOG’S WAY OF SWEATING. IF YOUR DOG IS SWEATING, HE NEEDS A DRINK. DRY FOOD ALSO ENCOURAGES THIRST. BECAUSE DRY FOOD CONTAINS ONLY 10 PERCENT MOISTURE, YOUR DOG WILL NEED ABOUT A QUART OF WATER FOR EVERY POUND F DRY FOOD. ON THE OTHER HAND, CANNED FOOD OR HOME-COOKED DIETS CONTAIN MORE WATER AND REQUIRE LESS TO RINSE AND WASH DOWN. THIS QUALITY OF CANNED AND HOME-COOKED FOOD DOES NOT NECESSARILY MAKE THEM A SUPERIOR FOOD SOURCE, HOWEVER.
WATER IS VITAL FOR SURVIVAL. MAKE SURE CLEAN WATER IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR DOG. PROVIDE CLEAN WATER I A STAINLESS STEEL DISH AND CHANGE IT REGULARLY. EACH TIME YOU FILL YOUR DOG’S BOWL, RINSE IT TO CLEAN OFF DIRT AND OTHER NASTY PARTICLES THAT DON’T BELONG IN A FRESH BOWL.
CHOOSING YOUR DOG’S DIET
DECIDING ON A DIET FOR YOUR DOG IS NO SMALL ORDER. COMMERCIAL, DRY, CANNED, HOME-COOKED… THE CHOICE IS YOURS, AND IT ISN’T AN EASY ONE. NOT EVERY DIET SUITS EVERY
DOG , SO BE A CONSCIENTIOUS SHOPPER. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT EACH OPTION.
COMMERCIAL FOODS
HERE ARE FOUR CONSTANTS TO HELP YOU MAKE YOUR SELECTION:
1. LOOK FOR THE AAFCO (AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF FEED CONTROL OFFICIALS) STAMP OF APPROVAL ON THE DOGS FOOD PACKAGING.
2. NOTE THE SUGGESTED DAILY RATION. IS IT REALISTIC?
3. STOP USING FOODS THAT CAUSE WEIGHT LOSS; PRODUCE LOOSE, SMELLY STOOLS; OR LEAD TO POOR COAT AND SKIN CONDITION. TRANSFER TO NEW DIETS SLOWLY, OVER A COARSE OF TEN DAYS. YOU’LL NOTICE ANY STOMACH UPSET WITHIN THIS TIME. TALK TO YOUR VETERINARIAN.
4. RESPECT YOUR DOG’S JUDGMENT. REFUSAL TO TOUCH THE FOOD CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO STUBBORNNESS, BUT IT’S OFTEN A SIGN OF SPOILED INGREDIENTS OR ALLERGIES.
NEXT, CONSIDER YOUR LIFESTYLE. DO YOU HAVE A LOT OF FREE TIME TO TRAIN YOUR DOG AND ENGAGE IN HIGH-ENERGY ACTIVITIES? PERFORMANCE FOODS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF CRUDE PROTEIN PROVIDE LOTS OF ENERGY TO BURN. PUPPIES ALSO NEED HIGHER AMOUNTS OF PROTEIN FOR THEIR GROWING BODIES.
HOMEMADE DIETS
HOMEMADE DOG FOOD HAS ITS PROS AND CONS. FOLLOWED RESPONSIBLY. THE HOME DIET CAN BE MODIFIED FOR YOUR DOG’S AGE, BREED DISTINCTIONS, AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. PERSONALIZED DIETS WILL ENHANCE YOUR DOG’S HEALTH AND VITALITY.
THE DRAWBACKS? THESE DIETS CAN’T BE FUDGED. YOU MUST COMMIT TO PREPARING BALANCED MEALS AND TO SHOP FOR PRODUCTS REGULARLY TO ENSURE FRESHNESS. IF YOU WANT TO TRY A HOMEMADE DIET, PLEASE REFER TO THE HOLISTIC GUIDE FOR A HEALTHY DOG BY WENDY VOLHARD AND KERRY BROWN, DVM, OR NATURAL FOOD RECIPES FOR HEALTHY DOGS BY CAROL BOYLE (BOTH FROM HOWELL BOOK HOUSE, NEW YORK)
IF YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR SWEET DOG A BONE, PLEASE AVOID POULTRY OR PORK, AS THEY SPLINTER AND CAN HAVE FATAL CONSEQUENCES. BEEF KNUCKLE AND MARROW BONES ARE BEST; JUST ASK YOUR BUTCHER. PARBOIL THEM IN MEAT BROTH TO ENHANCE THEIR FLAVOR AND KILL PARASITES.
DRY VS WET FOOD
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DRY FOOD AND WET FOOD? COST IN SHIPPING AND COST TO THE CONSUMER. WET FOOD CONTAINS 65 PERCENT TO 78 PERCENT WATER; THE WEIGHT OF THE CAN AND WATER INCREASES THE COST OF SHIPPING.
WET FOOD IS LESS LIKELY TO FILL UP YOUR DOG WITH GRAIN FILLERS THAT HE CAN’T REALLY USE ANYWAY. DRY FOOD IS BETTER FOR HIS TEETH. NO STUDIES HAVE PROVEN EITHER WET OR DRY TO BE NUTRITIONALLY SUPERIOR. SO WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO SUGGEST A COMBINATION OF THE TWO.
WHEN SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT DIET, PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR DOG. HOW IS HIS DIGESTION? FOODS WITH LOW-QUALITY INGREDIENTS AREN’T ABSORBED WELL AND CAN GIVE YOUR DOG LOOSE STOOLS.
TIP
* TOY BREEDS AND SMALLER DOGS IN GENERAL SOMETIMES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH WET FOOD AND CAN GIVE THEM SERIOUS DIGESTIVE ISSUES. I HAD A TOY DOG THAT HAD TO HAVE A LOT OF WORK DONE AT THE VET BECAUSE OF WET FOOD. IT WAS A COSTLY BILL AND THE VET SUGGESTED WITH A SMALL DOG THAT IF I FEEL THE NEED TO HAVE THE FOOD SOFTER TO EITHER WET THE DRY FOOD DOWN WITH A TOUCH OR WATER OR A LITTLE BIT OF SKIM MILK. WATCH THE MILK PRODUCTS THOUGH FOR WEIGHT GAIN, GAS, DIGESTIVE ISSUES, ETC… OR TO USE ABOUT A THIRD OF A CAN OF WET FOOD MIXED IN WITH DRY FOOD. WET FOOD USUALLY GIVES DOGS GAS AS WELL.
FEEDING PUPPIES
IM A SUCKER FOR YOUNG PUPPIES, AND THOUGH I SPOIL THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WITH KISSES AND HEAD SCRATCHES, I NEVER FUDGE ON THEIR DIETS! LIKE A HUMANS BABY, THEIR DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS ARE VERY FRAGILE. AFTER WEANING THEY SHOULD BE KEPT ON THE SAME PUPPY FOOD FOR A LEAST EIGHT WEEKS. IF YOU DECIDE TO SWITCH BRANDS OF FOOD, DO IT INCREMENTALLY OVER A TEN-DAY PERIOD.
THERE ARE SOME KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PEOPLE’S DIETS AND PUPPIES’ DIETS. NUMBER ONE, DOGS DON’T DIG FIBER. A HIGH-FIBER, LOW-FAT DIET FOR A DOG OF ANY AGE CAN BE DISASTROUS -- STOOL CITY! REMEMBER, DOGS ARE BORN CARNIVORES, AND NO NEW AGE D DIET WILL CHANGE THAT! MONITOR PROTEIN AND CALORIES IF YOU WANT TO RAISE A HEALTHY PUP. THEY NEED MORE OF BOTH, AS THEY’RE GROWING MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.
HOW MUCH FOOD YOU PUPPY EATS DEPENDS ON HIS SIZE AND WEIGHT. OFTEN THE PORTIONS LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE BAD ARE EXAGGERATED OR ESTIMATED FOR AN AVERAGE DOG. AND WHO HAS AN AVERAGE DOG? NOT YOU! TO DECIDE ON THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FOOD, ASK YOUR PUPPY. GIVE HIM AS MUCH AS HE CAN EAT IN 15 MINUTES AND THE FEED HIM THAT MUCH AT EACH MEAL. IF HE EATS IT ALL, DON’T OFFER MORE. IF HE DOESN’T EAT ANYTHING, DON’T FRET. DOGS ARE JUST LIKE THAT.
HOW OFTEN YOU FEED YOU PUPPY WILL DEPEND ON HIS AGE AND YOUR TIME SCHEDULE. I LIKE TO FEED A YOUNG PUP (ONE THAT’S UNDER 12 WEEKS) FOUR TIMES A DAY; 7AM. NOON. 4PM. AND 10PM I KNOW I KNOW -- LOTS OF STOOL, LOT’S OF STOOLS!! BUT THAT’S HOW I AM AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MY GROWING PUPPY KEEPS HEALTHY AND KEEPS GROWING PROPERLY.
OVERFEEDING OR SPRINKLING YOUR PUPPY’S DIET WITH TABLE SCRAPS IS A BAD THING. PUPPIES WHO OBSESS OVER FOOD AT MEALTIMES ARE LIKELY TO BECOME PUDGY AND FAT. THAT IS BAD FOR THE GROWTH OF THEIR BONES AND MUSCLES AND IS LIKELY TO CAUSE DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD.
AFTER 12 WEEKS I PHASE OUT THE LATE NIGHT FEEDINGS AND CONTINUE THREE MEALS A DAY UNTIL MY PUPPY STOPS EATING ONE OF THOSE MEALS OR REACHES 6 MONTH (WHICHEVER COMES FIRST) AT THIS POINT, THERE SHOULD BE ONE MORNING FEEDING AND ONE LATE AFTERNOON. THIS SCHEDULE GOOD TO GO THROUGH YOUR DOG’S LIFE. YOU CAN ALSO CHOOSE TO ONLY FEED ONCE A DAY. I KNOW MANY BREEDERS THAT ONLY FEED ONCE A DAY AT AROUND 4PM. I KNOW THAT SOUNDS SCARY TO SOME PEOPLE, BUT IF YOU THINK BACK TO WHEN THEY WERE IN THE WILD, WHICH IS WHERE THEY CAME FROM IN THE BEGINNING THEY USUALLY ONLY ATE ONCE A DAY IF THEY WERE LUCKY IF NOT EVERY OTHER DAY. SO IT’S YOUR CHOICE IN WHAT YOU DO. I LIKE THE TWO TIMES A DAY PERSONALLY. I CAN REST ASSURED THAT MY PUP’S STOMACH CAN RETAIN THE FOOD FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME. ADAPT YOUR SCHEDULE TO YOUR PUPPY’S NEEDS.
IMPORTANT TIP:
IF YOUR DOG DOES HAVE LOOSE STOOLS YOU CAN ALWAYS GIVE THEM OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS THAT PEOPLE USE FOR LOOSE STOOLS SUCH AS IMODIUM AD. CALL YOUR LOCAL VET FOR THE CORRECT DOSAGE. ALSO IF THE LOOSE STOOLS LAST OVER THREE DAYS YOU SHOULD TAKE HIM TO THE VET AND MAKE SURE THAT HE’S GETTING PLENTY OF WATER. LIKE HUMANS THEY CAN EASILY SUFFER FROM DEHYDRATION ISSUES.
SCALING DOWN AN OVERWEIGHT DOG
PUTTING ON EXTRA POUNDS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME IN A DOG’S LIFE, ALTHOUGH IT MOST OFTEN OCCURS IN OLD AGE. METABOLISM SLOWS, AND SO DOES THE INTEREST IN EXERCISING. FORTUNATELY, WE LIVE IN AN AGE OF LOW-CAL DOG FOOD THAT IS PERFECTLY BALANCED FOR THE SEDENTARY DOG. ADD A HEALTHY WALK OR TWO DAILY, AND YOUR DOG WILL BE SWINGING THOSE HIPS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN NO TIME!
HERE’S A QUICK CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR DOG’S GOT ONE TOO MANY LAYERS. STAND HIM UP AND FEEL HIS RIBS. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE FINDING THEM, IT’S TIME FOR A DIET!
NOURISHING OLDER DOGS
AS YOUR DOG AGES, HE’LL NEED A DIFFERENT BALANCE OF NUTRITION TO KEEP HIM GOING. LIKE US, OLDER DOGS NEED FEWER CALORIES. IN ADDITION, BECAUSE THE DIGESTIVE PROCESS TAKES LONGER IN OLD DOGS, YOU MAY WANT TO FEED SMALLER MEALS MORE OFTEN.
SPEAK TO YOUR VETERINARIAN ABOUT AN APPROPRIATE DIET FOR YOUR AGING PAL. SOME DOGS HAVE SPECIFIC AILMENTS THAT REQUIRE A PRESCRIPTION DIET. YOUR VET WILL GUIDE YOU IN YOUR SELECTIONS AND PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATE FOOD TO KEEP YOUR DOG WELL. THESE DIETS WILL HAVE A GUARANTEED ANALYSIS THAT BREAKS DOWN EACH INGREDIENT TO ENSURE THAT YOU’RE GETTING THE IDENTICAL FOOD SOURCES IN EVERY BAG OR CAN.