Posts Tagged ‘Adult Dogs’
Every owner these days seems to have their own ideas on what constitutes a healthy balanced diet for their dog. How many of them are reliably imformed though? The following questions are designed to critically assess your dogs diet. Please read them, for your dogs sake.
1) How many times a day do you feed your dog?
There is no set rule for adult dogs but the general consensus is that twice a day is a sensible amount. Some owners feed once a day, some three times a day. How much your dog is fed is far more important than how often really, but it is useful to set guidelines nevertheless. The reason many experts suggest twice a day rather than once a day is that once a day feeding encourages the dog to gorge his or her food as he or she is so hungry, having last had a meal a full 24 hours ago. Eating too quickly can cause reflex regurgitation or vomiting. Also it has been theorized that deep chested large breed dogs are more likely to suffer from a twisted stomach (gastric dilatation and volvulus), a life threatening condition, if they are fed one large meal daily rather than two smaller meals.
Clearly more active dogs will burn far more calories than others but these variables are best reflected in portion size rather than frequency. Some dogs with medical conditions may benefit from multiple meals of smaller portions, for example those recovering from gastroenteritis. Puppies must be fed more often than adult dogs as they have a higher metabolic rate, around 4 times a day from weaning to around 5 months old, then drop down to 3 times a day until 7 months old, then down to twice a day thereafter.
2) Is your dogs diet manufactured specifically for dogs or do you give human food or food from the butchers?
There is a misconception around that human food is higher quality than dog food, and therefore better for them. This is by and large nonsense. Reputable dog foods are formulated after extensive trials by pet food companies to provide the mixture of protein, carbohydrate and fat that suits canine physiology best. Dogs on balanced dog food diets do not get nutritional deficiencies but dogs on human food do. Certain human titbits can play havoc with your dogs digestive tract, chocolate being a prime example.
Your dog need ingest nothing other than a complete dog food and water to have a complete and balanced diet. Remember, dogs do not need variety in their diet! They are perfectly happy having the same boring looking meal every day! So keep it simple and safe, feed your dog either a complete dog food (dry or tinned, dry is better for their teeth) or standard dog biscuits and tinned dog meat together. Of course human leftovers every now and again or a bit of tripe or heart from the butcher is fine, but do not make it the day to day diet.
3) Which is the best dog food to choose?
There are so many different brands of dog food on the market, the best one is basically a matter of opinion. Certainly palatability is a factor, there is no point in purchasing a particular food if your dog cannot stand it, although this is occasionally a necessity in dogs with food allergies, for example. Rather than recommending you a specific brand, we suggest that you choose one which adheres to the criteria below.
Dog foods labeled as complete and balanced must meet standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), either by meeting a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial. There are now two separate nutrient profiles for dogs – one for growth (puppies) and one for maintenance (adults). Maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established for the first time because of the concern that overnutrition, rather than undernutrition, is a bigger problem with many pet foods today. The standards include recommendations on protein, fat, fat soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins, and mineral content of foods. If you are prepared to get technical, you should choose a food that comes closest to AAFCO recommendations.
In summary, consider the following points.
Choose a food that suits your dogs age, breed and overall health. Most big pet food companies will have different foods for small vs large breeds, and puppies vs adults. Dogs with medical conditions may be recommended special prescription diets.
Choose a food that come closest to AAFCO recommendations.
The ingredients contains the truth about a particular food. Everything else is there only for marketing purposes.
There are no legal and scientific definitions for the terms premium, super premium, quality, or natural.
Use dry matter numbers to evaluate and compare foods.
The source of ingredients (e.g. animal vs vegetable) does not matter, except in the case of food allergies.
Avoid supplementation. All commercial dog foods have more than enough protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Too many minerals can lead to severe skeletal problems in growing dogs.
Feeding your dog a good food incorrectly can lead to significant problems. For example, overfeeding puppies can lead to serious skeletal problems. Neutered dogs require portions 20% smaller than unneutered dogs or they will put on weight.
4) How many times a day do you give your dog treats?
It is hard to resist those puppy dog eyes begging you for a little piece of what you are eating. Indeed treats promote a special bond between you and your dog and it gives such pleasure when they have a delicious morsel to savor. The key word is MODERATION. If you are giving your dog regular treats, you must subtract this amount from the portion given at meal time to maintain a appropriate calorie intake. As a rule of thumb the amount of treats should never exceed 10% of your dogs daily food intake. It is far easier to make your dog obedient if you reserve treats for rewarding good behavior rather than just giving them willy nilly, where they become meaningless.
5) What do your dogs treats consist of?
Quality dog treats are usually far healthier and lower in calories than table scraps. Many dogs are fed scraps habitually from the table while families are eating, particularly by children. This only encourages further begging and feeding with often unsuitable high calorie treats which are forgotten about when it comes to measuring the dogs daily portion(s).
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Dr Matthew Homfray is one of the veterinary pet experts at www.WhyDoesMyPet.com. Our dedicated community of caring pet experts are waiting to offer you advice, second opinions and support.
You are what you eat. We have heard this saying so many times. It can even be applied to our dogs. A dog that eats a healthier diet will in fact be healthier.
But, what is a healthy diet for a dog? Many of us don’t have a clue. If you walk into a store to buy dog food, you will find hundreds of choices. So, how do we pick the best one and what makes one brand better than another. The simple answer is “read the label”.
The label will hold the most information available to determine what your dog is eating. The average person probably wouldn’t think to read the label ingredients, but if you have done research into this and want the healthiest food for your dog, this is your starting point. By reading the label you will learn a lot about foods.
First of all, you want to see some type of meal listed in the ingredients. It doesn’t matter if it’s chicken meal or lamb meal, although chicken is considered the best choice since it is most easily digested. Make sure it doesn’t just say meat meal, but an actual meat name. Whole meat without meal is mainly water. Also make sure the ingredients include a variety of vegetables and fruits.
You don’t want to see a lot of filler ingredients. Grains should be at the bottom of the list. Some dogs may have problems with corn. Wheat and soy are also common irritants and allergens. Try to avoid labels with chemical preservatives. Food should be preserved with mixed Tocopherols, which is Vitamin E.
Also look for AAFCO (Association of American Feeding Control Officials) and feeding trials. This will mean the food was actually fed to dogs to see if they meet nutritional needs. It will mean the food is complete and balanced for adult dogs. Also, be aware that a manufacturer has up to six months to notify the consumer that it has made a change in its ingredients. So, keep checking the label even if you have been using a particular brand for a while. If you notice your dog is having problems with the food, there may very well have been a formula change.
If you obtained your dog from a breeder, then this is your best source of information regarding the best, healthiest food to feed your dog. If this is not the case, then you are pretty much on your own in finding the best food and your dog will be the food critic. When you feel you have found an appropriate dog food for your pet’s diet, buy small bags at first. Test it on your dog and see how he reacts to it. If it doesn’t sit well with him, then you aren’t throwing out a large package that cost a lot. Once you have found the right food for your pet, avoid switching to different brands. Their systems take time to adjust to new foods and this will wreck havoc on their digestions.
Highest priced foods do not always mean they are the best. Remember, the best foods contain real whole familiar ingredients. It is always wise to avoid foods that contain many by products and preservatives. And, a dog food company is not required to list preservatives they did not add. In the end, studying labels, and trial and error, will be the best indicators of what is healthy and nutritious for you pet.
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
More Dog Food Articles at Dogs-Today.com. Get Your Own Successful Niche Website Network at eWebCreator.com. Matthew Hick has been designing a profitable Online Website Builder for over 5 years.
Your choice of dog food makes a huge difference in the health of your dog. Pet foods range radically in quality from the supercheap to the highly expensive. They are geared for diverse ages, stages, sizes, and even breeds. How the heck do you discern which pet food to select from amongst the many that decorate pet and grocery store shelves?
With the assistance of your vet, you can establish what your dog needs to eat. If your dog is healthy, a first-rate adult maintenance diet is most likely just fine. Read the label, look for identifiable meat protein sources listed among the first few ingredients, and get assistance from your vet. If you are not positive about which food is best for your dogs, puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs, and dogs with special needs.
Puppies need a high-quality puppy food, but large breed puppies, even the skinny ones, must grow slowly, therefore after the first few months of life, most of these dogs need to be weaned off puppy food. Large breeds like Labs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and large mixed breeds are suceptible to bone and joint abnormalities as they get older. If they grow too quickly bones will not be as dense, and joints will not develop well. Feed large-breed puppies a high-quality food with modest amounts of protein, fat and calories.
Senior dogs and dogs with special needs, for instance injuries or diseases, may have specific nutritional needs. Dogs that develop kidney problems might need a low-protein food, but other seniors must have enough protein to keep their muscles nourished. Many good prescription foods focus on specific health problems and chronic diseases. Consult your vet, who can advise you best about prescription diets to meet your pets individual needs.
To a large degree, price is a good indication of quality, but more high-priced premium foods are actually more of a good buy than you might think. Cheap pet foods are packed full of fillers, such as protein sources that are not as digestible, where as the more pricey protein sources include quality muscle meat. When dogs eat cheap foods, their stools are large, soft, messy, and quite bluntly, stinky. When they consume premium foods, their stool is smaller, tighter, easier to clean up, and scarcely smell at all. That is because dogs actually digest more of the food and that means you will not have to feed your dog as much food to get the similar or greater nutritional value.
Quality diets come in dry kibble, canned, frozen raw meats, or dehydrated patties. Every one has its specific benefits, and your decision usually depends on what you are able to spend, how much time you have to take preparing the food, and if your dog in fact eats it. Dry kibble contains greater fiber and helps keep teeth clean, but it contains less water, so dogs might need to drink more water to compensate. Canned food may taste better and contain more water, but some vets think it may donate to tooth decay. It also gets pricey for large dogs because it is less concentrated than kibble, so you feed your dog more of it. For some dogs, frozen and dehydrated raw diets may be healthy, if they are from a reputable company, but they can be costly and need to be defrosted or rehydrated. Raw food is controversial, debate rages over if it is more nutritious or more likely to harbor harmful bacteria, so consult your vet about whether raw food is a good diet for your dog. One type of food that the majority of vets will not recommend is semimoist. While these chewy kibble pieces might taste good to dogs, they are usually packed with sweeteners and artificial colors and are not a good nutritional choice, semimoist dog food would be considered junk food for your dogs.
Your choice of dog food makes a huge difference in the health of your dog. Pet foods range radically in quality from the supercheap to the highly expensive. They are geared for diverse ages, stages, sizes, and even breeds. How the heck do you discern which pet food to select from amongst the many that decorate pet and grocery store shelves?
With the assistance of your vet, you can establish what your dog needs to eat. If your dog is healthy, a first-rate adult maintenance diet is most likely just fine. Read the label, look for identifiable meat protein sources listed among the first few ingredients, and get assistance from your vet. If you are not positive about which food is best for your dogs, puppies, adult dogs, senior dogs, and dogs with special needs.
Puppies need a high-quality puppy food, but large breed puppies, even the skinny ones, must grow slowly, therefore after the first few months of life, most of these dogs need to be weaned off puppy food. Large breeds like Labs, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and large mixed breeds are suceptible to bone and joint abnormalities as they get older. If they grow too quickly bones will not be as dense, and joints will not develop well. Feed large-breed puppies a high-quality food with modest amounts of protein, fat and calories.
Senior dogs and dogs with special needs, for instance injuries or diseases, may have specific nutritional needs. Dogs that develop kidney problems might need a low-protein food, but other seniors must have enough protein to keep their muscles nourished. Many good prescription foods focus on specific health problems and chronic diseases. Consult your vet, who can advise you best about prescription diets to meet your pets individual needs.
To a large degree, price is a good indication of quality, but more high-priced premium foods are actually more of a good buy than you might think. Cheap pet foods are packed full of fillers, such as protein sources that are not as digestible, where as the more pricey protein sources include quality muscle meat. When dogs eat cheap foods, their stools are large, soft, messy, and quite bluntly, stinky. When they consume premium foods, their stool is smaller, tighter, easier to clean up, and scarcely smell at all. That is because dogs actually digest more of the food and that means you will not have to feed your dog as much food to get the similar or greater nutritional value.
Quality diets come in dry kibble, canned, frozen raw meats, or dehydrated patties. Every one has its specific benefits, and your decision usually depends on what you are able to spend, how much time you have to take preparing the food, and if your dog in fact eats it. Dry kibble contains greater fiber and helps keep teeth clean, but it contains less water, so dogs might need to drink more water to compensate. Canned food may taste better and contain more water, but some vets think it may donate to tooth decay. It also gets pricey for large dogs because it is less concentrated than kibble, so you feed your dog more of it. For some dogs, frozen and dehydrated raw diets may be healthy, if they are from a reputable company, but they can be costly and need to be defrosted or rehydrated. Raw food is controversial, debate rages over if it is more nutritious or more likely to harbor harmful bacteria, so consult your vet about whether raw food is a good diet for your dog. One type of food that the majority of vets will not recommend is semimoist. While these chewy kibble pieces might taste good to dogs, they are usually packed with sweeteners and artificial colors and are not a good nutritional choice, semimoist dog food would be considered junk food for your dogs.
Article Source: http://www.articlewarehouse.com
This author is a huge dog lover, she has several dogs herself, you are invited to visit a couple of her websites at Dog Supplements Dog Food
Choosing a healthy dog diet can be perplexing and challenging if you let it. The attractive packaging and marketing can blur our assessment of a product. Your dog’s diet is the most fundamental way to keep your pet healthy and happy for the years to come. It is elemental that you find a diet that will provide critical nutrients to let your pet to thrive rather than merely survive.
Here are some easy guidelines to abide by when you are selecting a food for your dog’s diet. Realize that every dog is special. A dog diet that is terrific for your neighbor’s dog may not be exactly what your pet needs.
The first action when considering your dog’s diet, is to talk to your veterinarian. This trusted individual has your pet’s interest at heart, just like you. The vet’s recommendations can steer you in the right direction.
Find a reliable brand of dog food to be the key component of your dog’s diet. It is not impossible to stumble across a high-quality dog food that you have never heard of, but a well-known and major manufacturer provides an amount of safety and confidence about the decision to feed your dog a healthy diet. Recognized and trustworthy dog food manufacturers take the time to research the topic of animal nutrition. let your pet to benefit from the company’s wealth of information rather than going it alone.
Select a dog food that is age appropriate. If your dog is grown-up and shows signs of aging, contemplate a dog diet that is specially formulated for senior dogs. Puppies have different nutritional needs than do adult dogs. Find a mixture of food that meets your dog’s needs. Even the class and size of your pet can make a difference in the type of diet you should feed your pet. Diets formulated specially for small dogs and large breeds exist. You may want to keep this in mind when selecting your dog’s diet.
Activity level and weight are other factors to think about when making the determination of what to feed your dog. If your dog is very active or overweight, you may need to pick a type of dog diet that accommodates such situations.
When you decide on a specific diet for your dog, pay attention to the portion size. Obesity is a serious problem in pets. It can lead to hip troubles and take years off your pet’s life.
Table scraps are definitely out for a healthy diet. Your dog’s diet should consist of a high-quality food specially designed to meet your pet’s dietary needs. Begging is encouraged with table scraps and obesity is likely to result.
Only supplement a high-quality diet when recommended by a veterinarian. Giving your pet too many supplements in the dog’s diet can lead to a lower quality of health.
Always consult your vet for advice on what to feed your dog. Your dog’s diet will fuel his health, so pick your dog’s diet wisely. Select a brand of food that is reliable and suited to your dog. Finding the right diet for your pet will promote good health and permit your dog to succeed.
Choosing a healthy dog diet can be perplexing and challenging if you let it. The attractive packaging and marketing can blur our assessment of a product. Your dog’s diet is the most fundamental way to keep your pet healthy and happy for the years to come. It is elemental that you find a diet that will provide critical nutrients to let your pet to thrive rather than merely survive.
Here are some easy guidelines to abide by when you are selecting a food for your dog’s diet. Realize that every dog is special. A dog diet that is terrific for your neighbor’s dog may not be exactly what your pet needs.
The first action when considering your dog’s diet, is to talk to your veterinarian. This trusted individual has your pet’s interest at heart, just like you. The vet’s recommendations can steer you in the right direction.
Find a reliable brand of dog food to be the key component of your dog’s diet. It is not impossible to stumble across a high-quality dog food that you have never heard of, but a well-known and major manufacturer provides an amount of safety and confidence about the decision to feed your dog a healthy diet. Recognized and trustworthy dog food manufacturers take the time to research the topic of animal nutrition. let your pet to benefit from the company’s wealth of information rather than going it alone.
Select a dog food that is age appropriate. If your dog is grown-up and shows signs of aging, contemplate a dog diet that is specially formulated for senior dogs. Puppies have different nutritional needs than do adult dogs. Find a mixture of food that meets your dog’s needs. Even the class and size of your pet can make a difference in the type of diet you should feed your pet. Diets formulated specially for small dogs and large breeds exist. You may want to keep this in mind when selecting your dog’s diet.
Activity level and weight are other factors to think about when making the determination of what to feed your dog. If your dog is very active or overweight, you may need to pick a type of dog diet that accommodates such situations.
When you decide on a specific diet for your dog, pay attention to the portion size. Obesity is a serious problem in pets. It can lead to hip troubles and take years off your pet’s life.
Table scraps are definitely out for a healthy diet. Your dog’s diet should consist of a high-quality food specially designed to meet your pet’s dietary needs. Begging is encouraged with table scraps and obesity is likely to result.
Only supplement a high-quality diet when recommended by a veterinarian. Giving your pet too many supplements in the dog’s diet can lead to a lower quality of health.
Always consult your vet for advice on what to feed your dog. Your dog’s diet will fuel his health, so pick your dog’s diet wisely. Select a brand of food that is reliable and suited to your dog. Finding the right diet for your pet will promote good health and permit your dog to succeed.
Article Source: http://www.articlewarehouse.com
I love my dogs and want to share how to take care of your dogs and pets. Dogs, Dogs and Dogs
Now that you’ve decided to get a puppy or dog, the next few weeks will be busy and at times, more than a little bit crazy. That’s why it’s important to plan in advance for the arrival of your new pet. If possible, get as many necessities ready before your puppy comes home.
The Basics
* Travel crate: Even if you don’t plan on crate training your dog, consider the benefits of owning a crate for other reasons, like transporting an ill or injured puppy to the veterinarian.
* Food and water bowls: If you have a puppy, keep the bowls low and shallow. Tip-proof works well, too. As they grow, you’ll likely need to upgrade to larger dishes to accommodate your pet’s size.
* Food: Choose an age-appropriate food. Ask your vet or local pet store for recommendations if you’re not sure what kind to purchase. Remember that high quality dog food keeps your puppy healthier and happier.
* Collar: Pick a collar that fits properly now. You can always upgrade later if necessary.
* Leash: A six-foot lead works well. Choose the right thickness and strength for your dog. A Chihuahua’s needs are very different from the needs of a Rottweiler.
* ID tag: As one of the first things people search for when finding a stray dog, an ID tag can help make sure your puppy makes it home safely. At a minimum, have your phone number engraved on the tag.
* Grooming supplies: Different breeds require different levels of grooming. However, every pup can benefit from a good weekly brushing. It’s also a great way to have quiet, bonding time with your new dog.
* Housebreaking supplies: Even adult dogs have accidents, so be prepared with good cleaning supplies.
* Veterinarian: If you don’t have a favorite vet already, ask family, friends and neighbors for a recommendation. Have an appointment scheduled within the first few days of bringing your puppy home, so your vet can check for worms, other health conditions, and start her vaccination regimen.
* Flea and tick control: Ask your veterinarian what age your new puppy should be before administering any flea and tick control products.
The Extras
* Obedience classes: Every dog can benefit from learning some basic obedience skills.
* Puppy treats: Yummy treats are the perfect reward when you’re working on obedience. Or for when they’re just being adorable.
* Toys: Chew toys help satisfy your new puppy’s teething needs. If you’d like to teach your dog to retrieve, look at purchasing a few balls, but make sure they’re not so small that your dog chokes. A lot of people swear by Kong, an awesome rubber toy you stuff with treats to keep your new pal busy.
* Sour apple spray: Use this product to spray on spots your puppy loves to chew on. It’s a terrific deterrent for naughty puppies.
* Baby gates: Want to keep your dog in one area of your house? Use baby gates to corral him. Let’s face it; for a lot of us, dogs are our babies anyway!
* Dog house: If your pup will spend any time outdoors, he’ll love having his own little house. Fill it with great chew toys and a cozy blanket, and it will be the perfect home away from home.
* Doggie door: Training your dog to use a doggie door when she needs to go outdoors makes life easier for you and your pal.
* Clothing: Depending on where you live, sweaters or snow boots may be required outdoor gear for your dog.
Now that you have the basics on hand, don’t forget the most essential items for your new puppy: lots of hugs, kisses, and sweet talk. Best of all, they’re free!
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
Jennifer McVey, wants to make life easier for you and your new dog. At Favorite Puppy Names.com, you’ll find a collection of thousands of common and not-so-common puppy names, great tips on naming your new dog, and other helpful advice.
There is much to recommend feeding your dog homemade dog food if you have the time to prepare it, and make sure you have recipes that give the correct ratio of nutrients, as well as the vitamins and supplements you’ll need to add. These can be mixed up in a bag, stored, and sprinkled in every meal.
Dogs should have a minimum of 18% protein for maintenance when they are adults, and 22% for reproduction and growth. Fat should be a minimum of 5% for adult dogs, and 8% for reproduction and growth. But the more fat that is in the diet, the more protein there should be. Fat makes dogs, as well as people, eat less by making them feel fuller. If they eat less, and there are less of other essential nutrients like protein and vitamins and minerals, the dog will not get the nourishment it needs.
Generally, commercial pet food is made according to the appropriate guidelines, but care should be taken if significant amounts of other food is added to the diet, and it is high in fat.
But whether you’re feeding your dog commercial dog food, or home made dog food, there are a few things to keep in mind so you don’t end up with a fussy dog:
* dogs should be fed once a day once they are no longer puppies, or two small meals, no more. Feeding your dog too frequently when he is older can turn him appear like a fussy eater, when he is actually full.
* feeding your dog too regularly can get him into the routine of expecting to eat at those times, too, and may lead to weight gain. Letting him get hungry, and feeding sensibly, will not harm him. In the wild, dogs would eat for once a day until they were completely full.
* Don’t stand and stare at your dog waiting for him to eat. He will likely think something is wrong, or something else is coming, and won’t eat.
* Don’t give into your dog and give him something else straight away if he refuses his meal, as he’s effectively training you and not the other way around!
* There’s nothing wrong with feeding your dog a varied diet, but don’t keep changing the food because he seems fussy and won’t eat it. Make sure nothing is wrong with him physically first, then if he is healthy, take charge of the situation. Put his food down, leave him to it, and then 30 minutes later go and check to see whether it’s been eaten. If it hasn’t, take it away, then at the end of the day put down some fresh food. Repeat the process, and take it away 30 minutes later if it still isn’t eaten. This way you’ll train your dog to eat his food, and not reinforce his behaviour.
Brian Kilcommons has a very interesting method for teaching dogs to eat their food. When the above fails, he prepared the dog food in front of the dog, making lots of ‘yummy’ noises whilst he did it. He made it slowly, and when the dog still wasn’t interested, he put it down in front of his face, then took it straight away and threw it out. He did this first at breakfast, then at dinner. At dinner, the dog in question was more interested, but he still threw it out after putting it in front of him. The next morning, the dog was jumping up and down whilst the food was being prepared. He put it down, pulled it away, then looked at him for about a minute, then left it for him to eat. That dog now eats anything put down for him.
* If your dog suddenly goes off his food, it could be because he has dental problems, or a stomach problem. Get him checked out by the vet.
* Some dogs do actually prefer a certain type of food, just as people do. Try your dog with a variety of foods, and if he only eats one type, and will starve himself if he doesn’t get it, the best solution can simply be to feed him that type of food.
* Don’t feed your dog a high fat diet, or junk food, including chocolate. It’s not good for them.
References: Brian Kilcommons, Good Owners, Great Dogs
Article Source: http://www.hobbyarticledirectory.com
For more information on feeding your dog a natural dog food diet, see this article. For information on commercial v’s non commercial dog food that might shock you, see this article.