Looking after your
best friend - The things you need to know
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Feeding
Time
Dog Care - How To Select Food For
Your Dog
There is a very wide choice
of dog food available in pet shops, supermarkets and from your vet, so
how do you decide which is best?
Premium dog food and reputable
name-brand products from your grocery store will contain protein, carbohydrate,
fat, vitamins, and minerals, five of the six basic nutrients necessary
for your pet's good health. These foods do not usually need the addition
of any feed supplements.
When buying dog food you should select premium meat or fish based dog
food with 20 percent to 28 percent protein and 10 percent to 15 percent
fat for both puppies and adults so as to give good growth and optimal
nutrition.
Extremely active dogs may
even need a two point percentage higher for both of these items. You should
select the lower percentage for an older dog which is healthy, but which
is not so active.
Dry
dog food
This is usually the most
convenient to use. It will normally be in the form of biscuit or kibble
(a small roundish dry biscuit 10mm dia. approx.) Dry food is sold in bags
of various sizes/weights and with feeding recommendations printed on the
side.
Kibble is usually soy bean,
corn or rice based. Some of the better brands have meat or fish meal as
the first listed ingredient. Although often more expensive, they are worth
serious consideration. Dogs will eat less of this higher quality product,
and therefore reduce the overall feed cost.
It is very important to read what is printed on the package because many
of the better quality feeds give nutritional details and information on
feeding dogs of different ages.
Most reputable brands of
feed are balanced diets and do not need be mixed with anything else, so
they are an easy and convenient way of meeting all your dog’s nutritional
needs. However, you may find it necessary to develop a balance between
a wholesome rich diet containing all essential vitamins minerals carbo-hydrates
and proteins and an ingredient that has less of these ingredients.
Too
Rich?
You would think that the
diet containing the most goodness would be the best for your dog but this
may not always be the case.
Sometimes you can change
to a very wholesome rich feed for your dog. Then after a few days the
dog starts to be sick frequently. Investigation may indicate that the
new diet, although excellent, is just a little too rich for your dog.
A change to a slightly less rich diet should solve the problem with no
adverse effects.
You will find that there
are many brands of dog biscuits that have a very low nutritional value.
These are normally intended as a “mixer” to be added to tinned
(wet) food. Unfortunately some people feed this type of biscuit to their
dog believing it to be a complete food, which it is not.
Remember experimentation
will probably be necessary and you may eventually obtain the best results
by mixing two different brands of feed.
Dental
Considerations
Just to make things a little
more complicated you can contribute to the dental good health of your
dog by including certain types of feed in the mix.
There are brands of dog feed
that claim to help keep a dog's teeth clean and free from build up. This
works because the individual kibbles have a normal centre but also have
a thin coating of slightly abrasive food substance.
The theory is that as a dog
bites through the kibble the tooth is lightly scoured by the coating thus
cleaning the tooth. Obviously this action is only gentle but you will
probably notice an improvement in yours dog's teeth (and breath) when
using such a feed as part of a mixture.
Wet
dog food
This is normally in tins,
foil trays or pouches. It is usually palatable but smells stronger than
dry food.
Remember that open packages
will attract flies in warm weather unless covered and refrigerated, therefore,
wet food can be inconvenient if you forget to store open packs properly
or if you are travelling.
Some wet foods are complete
and so do not need anything added, but others are complementary and need
to be combined with a mixer biscuit or meal. Read the package carefully
to determine which type you have.
Water
Please ensure that your dog
has constant access to clean drinking water. This should be changed at
least every day to be certain that it is fresh and has not become contaminated
with dust or insects etc.
When feeding dry biscuits
or kibble, restrict your dog's water intake just before and after meals
(45 minutes each side of mealtime) to assist in reducing the expansion
of dry dog food in the stomach.
If your dog prefers a softer
meal, pre soak dry kibble for 10 or 15 minutes before serving. Otherwise,
the dry crunchy kibble is better for healthy teeth and gums.
Finally, remember NOT TO OVERFEED your dog.
A fat dog is not a happy dog!
Kennel
Talk
Caring For The
Mature Dog
Your
faithful friend has been with you for quite a few years now and is just
starting to show a little bit of age. Nothing serious, and there are still
many miles left on the clock, but should you start to treat your dog differently.
Here are a few ideas to help you prolong your dog's active life
Changes
in Older Dogs
As a dog matures it's hearing
and vision, can become impaired also the ability to smell and taste can
be affected.
Problems with the digestive system of older dogs are common. Poor dental
hygiene can prevent the food from being processed properly before it enters
the digestive system. Infections in the mouth can cause a build up of
toxins in the body resulting in digestive upsets which cause diarrhoea
and vomiting.
Joints and muscles can ache preventing the dog from getting around as
nimbly as before. It will probably need less exercise. Where once ,your
dog was were eager to chase a ball or Frisbee, a sedate walk may now be
sufficient.
In older dogs the efficiency of the lungs decreases causing less oxygen
to enter the body. Oxygen is essential for the renewal of body cells so
older dogs can be more likely to develop respiratory infections.
Older dogs are more inclined to become stressed. Changes in routine or
diet can contribute to this as well as illness and neglect. If there are
young children in the house help them to understand that your dog needs
some peace and quiet and can not be expected to play as a puppy would
play.
Is There Any Action You Can
Take?
You bet there is. A good
quality balanced diet with special vitamin supplements and regular gentle
exercise, can be of vital important to prolonging an active healthy life
for your dog.
Feeding
Older Dogs
As dogs get older, nutritional needs change.
In general, they need fewer calories and may also require other changes
to their diet especially if they are starting to develop any illness associated
with ageing (such as kidney or heart disease). Your vet will be able to
advise regarding specific illness but, in general, you need to feed less
food and should consider changing to a complete food specifically for older
dogs.
This is a time when you will need to watch your dog’s weight carefully
to prevent middle age spread! Older dogs should not be any fatter than young
adults. Because they are more prone to arthritis and other conditions, being
overweight is very bad for the older dog.
Giving your dog treats during the day, especially as a reward for good behaviour
or training is good, however, remember to compensate by slightly reducing
the quantity of the main meals each day.
Don't change your dog's diet suddenly, consult your vet for the ideal food
and any supplements needed for older dogs.
Preventing
Arthritis
Feeding your dog a good quality
balanced diet will go a long way towards reducing the risk of arthritis.
Try to find a feed that contains a natural source of Glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate which provide the body with necessary nutrients for cartilage
repair and function. Such food usually also contains antioxidants to encourage
a strong healthy immune system.
Remember try to keep your
dog at an ideal weight. Arthritis is much more of a problem in obese pets.
If your dog is overweight a strict diet can be beneficial by helping to
reduce the workload on the bones and joints but check with your vet as
how to achieve a healthy weight reduction.
Dealing
With Arthritis
Like us, dogs are at risk
of developing joint problems- especially arthritis. This is more prevalent
in some breeds such as Labrador retrievers, German shepherd dogs, Golden
retrievers, and Rottweilers.
When dogs have arthritis
they display symptoms such as being less active, have trouble getting
up or lying down, they are reluctant to climb/descend stairs, or they
become lame. Some dogs become much slower when they move around.
Exercise
for Arthritic Dogs.
Provide moderate amounts
of exercise daily. Modest exercise can actually help some dogs by strengthening
muscles and ligaments thus reducing the potential and risk of injury.
With arthritis special care is needed, so check with your vet, who will
recommend an appropriate exercise programme.
Helping a dog with joint
problems
Slip-free Flooring. Hardwood and tile floors are slippery and can be very
difficult for dogs with arthritis to navigate. Statergic placement of
carpet and/or rugs will help secure your dog's footing. This can help
prevent him from slipping and injuring himself - cheaper than a vet's
bill
Soft bedding can help support
the bones and joints, making your pet more comfortable. This can be especially
important in thin dogs in which bony prominences are likely to rub on
hard surfaces. Some beds are made especially for dogs with arthritis,
such as water-beds, hammock beds, and beds with plenty of extra cushions.
More
General Tips
1) Your dog may need a little
extra grooming to help maintain a healthy coat and skin
2) Older dogs need to be
kept inside where it's warm at night and not left outside to face the
elements.
3) Usually the changes,
as a dog gets older, are gradual but it's important to be aware of these
changes as soon as possible because early diagnosis and treatment can
prolong your dog's ability to have a good quality active life well into
old age. Regular physical and dental check ups by your veterinarian can
keep a look out for ailments that can occur at this time in their life.
4) Dog training is still important to keep your dog interested and alert
I hope these suggestions
help you and your dog.
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