When we got our dog she was 10 weeks old and the breeder told us what food they were feeding her and that it was best if we kept to the same as a sudden change in diet can cause sickness. The first thing we did was to take her to the vet to be checked out. As it happened the vet recommended the same food that the breeder had been giving her so we were happy to carry on using it.
If you have recently got a puppy or dog or you feel that the diet for your dog isn't right the first place to go is the vet. There are so many varieties available and each one seems to provide the best for your dog - according to the suppliers anyway.
Your vet has no hidden agenda they want whats best for your dog. Isn't it lovely that vets become vets because they love animals - shame the same can't be said for our doctors! Your vet will want to discover your dogs perfect diet.
Most vets recommend a dry food and there is good reason for this. (see my post). Having dry food as your dogs main diet will help provide good dental care for your dog.
Did you know that treats can be good for your dog and some treats are specifically better for certain breeds? I didn't know that.
Since each dog is different your vet needs your input on what best to advise. Your dogs lifestyle will affect whats best. How much exercise they get or whether they are a working dog is important for your vet to know.
Some breeds are known to be prone to putting on weight - hmm I wonder if my greedy Labrador is one of those! Also after being neutered or spayed a pet is more likely to put on weight.
Therefore its possible that your vet could recommend smaller portions than they suggest on the packet of your dogs food. Older dogs can often have trouble chewing and so need a special diet.
Supplements
I would never give my dog supplements without first asking my vet.
I'm sure most of us have heard of the benefits of Glucosamine for healthy joints but even this I would first check with the vet.
Remember that you need to think about your dogs diet every now and then to make sure it is right. No dog eats the same food through out its life. Their needs change. Our dog was 8 last year and officially is considered a senior (shame she is going grey too!) and so she now needs a different diet geared towards an older dogs nutritional requirements.
If in doubt speak to your vet and make sure you know what to look out for that might indicate a change of diet is needed.
Weight gain
Dull coat
Teeth problems
Going off food
Sickness
These could all indicate that all that is needed is a change of diet.
My dog is sick after drinking or eating. This is how I have stopped her vomiting. Also general dog health issues.
Showing posts with label dog diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog diet. Show all posts
How many times a day should you feed your dog?
Usually you will find information about this on your dogs food but often it will state an amount for the day and not if you should divide the amout up a number of times each day.
By the time you are allowed to take your puppy home it will be on solid food and the breeder should tell you what food it is having and how many times a day it has some. If the breeder doesn't give you this information then ask for it because changing a dogs diet suddenly whatever the age of the dog can cause stomach upsets and illness.
Most dogs get fed 2 or 3 times a day. Use your common sense. We used to give our labrador 2 meals a day but this proved no good for her as her stomach couldn't cope with that quantity of food in each meal. We now fed her 3 times a day as she is fine with that.
Fortunately food in the pet shops will state how much you should be giving your dog to eat and also what type of food depending on their age and how active a breed you have. Different dogs have different nutritional needs so make sure you get the right food for your dog.
By the time you are allowed to take your puppy home it will be on solid food and the breeder should tell you what food it is having and how many times a day it has some. If the breeder doesn't give you this information then ask for it because changing a dogs diet suddenly whatever the age of the dog can cause stomach upsets and illness.
Most dogs get fed 2 or 3 times a day. Use your common sense. We used to give our labrador 2 meals a day but this proved no good for her as her stomach couldn't cope with that quantity of food in each meal. We now fed her 3 times a day as she is fine with that.
Fortunately food in the pet shops will state how much you should be giving your dog to eat and also what type of food depending on their age and how active a breed you have. Different dogs have different nutritional needs so make sure you get the right food for your dog.
Stop giving your dog table scraps
Why do dogs have to look so cute when they are begging for food from the table? I'm sure we've all done it though and accidentally dropped food on the floor! The truth is that human food is not good for a dog! Our dogs nutritional requirements aren't anywhere near the same as ours. If you read the labels on our food you will find loads of stuff in there and a dog does not need all thees extra things that are put in our food. (We probably don't either........!)
As with us, dogs can also suffer from obesity. I get really sad and cross when I see a dog so fat that they can't play ball anymore. If your dogs food is made up of your leftovers it is likely that your dog'll have difficulty keeping a healthy weight especially if they have been spade or neutered. My vet says that even a few extra pounds can make a real difference in your dogs length and quality of life.
One of my friends has chocolate Labradors too and they let them eat all the leftovers. Its like their dogs are moving garbage bins. Needless to say both their dogs are very overweight. I have mentioned it but its hard when they are your friends. Whats important to remember is that some people foods can actually make your dog ill. Most people know that chocolate is toxic for dogs but did you know that grapes have caused serious illness for dogs, even death. Any small bones like chicken bones can cause choking as can popcorn. (see my post for advice on stopping your dog choke ).
How many times have you picked up your dogs poo and noticed they must have got hold of something they shouldn't! If you notice any of these it could indicate that your dogs diet is not what is should be.
Bigger poo size, worse than usual smell and more messy.
So giving a proper diet will be beneficial not only for your dogs health but also to you picking up the poo on your walks!
Sometimes it might be necessary to give your dog a supplement if recommended by your vet but not in excess. Bizarrely some people just have to give food to their pet at the table! If this is you then try this. Give your dog ice cubes or bits of carrot to chew on. You could but a little treat inside the ice cube! Just make sure you are not to blame if your dog is sick - do your best to give them a high quality diet.
You might also be interested in:
My dog is sick after drinking
Dog vomiting and diarrhea
Diet and Oral Health
As with us, dogs can also suffer from obesity. I get really sad and cross when I see a dog so fat that they can't play ball anymore. If your dogs food is made up of your leftovers it is likely that your dog'll have difficulty keeping a healthy weight especially if they have been spade or neutered. My vet says that even a few extra pounds can make a real difference in your dogs length and quality of life.
One of my friends has chocolate Labradors too and they let them eat all the leftovers. Its like their dogs are moving garbage bins. Needless to say both their dogs are very overweight. I have mentioned it but its hard when they are your friends. Whats important to remember is that some people foods can actually make your dog ill. Most people know that chocolate is toxic for dogs but did you know that grapes have caused serious illness for dogs, even death. Any small bones like chicken bones can cause choking as can popcorn. (see my post for advice on stopping your dog choke ).
How many times have you picked up your dogs poo and noticed they must have got hold of something they shouldn't! If you notice any of these it could indicate that your dogs diet is not what is should be.
Bigger poo size, worse than usual smell and more messy.
So giving a proper diet will be beneficial not only for your dogs health but also to you picking up the poo on your walks!
Sometimes it might be necessary to give your dog a supplement if recommended by your vet but not in excess. Bizarrely some people just have to give food to their pet at the table! If this is you then try this. Give your dog ice cubes or bits of carrot to chew on. You could but a little treat inside the ice cube! Just make sure you are not to blame if your dog is sick - do your best to give them a high quality diet.
You might also be interested in:
My dog is sick after drinking
Dog vomiting and diarrhea
Diet and Oral Health
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