How To Have A Happy Dog

RESEARCH: Dogs require 37 essential nutrients for a complete diet. A diet lacking in just one of these nutrients is considered inadequate. Most dry foods are ‘complete’, as are many wet foods. However, some wet foods need dry biscuit mix added, so always check food labels carefully.

Although your dog will readily wolf down human food, wagging his tail and looking excited when it’s offered to him, such a diet will not provide all the nutrients he needs and may lead to health problems. So, what exactly should you be feeding him?

To keep your dog happy and healthy, he will need different foods during each life stage. His nutritional requirements will change as he grows from a puppy into an adult and then into a senior. Thankfully, it is easy to cater for these changing needs, as retailers stock a huge range of scientifically developed, palatable pet foods. Breed-specific food is also available. If in doubt, ask your vet for detailed advice.

FOOD TYPES

Two broad types of dog foods are available:

Wet foods: Conveniently packaged in cans, packs or pouches, these can contain up to 70 per cent moisture, making this a relatively expensive way to feed. Although dogs usually love these meaty foods, some owners are put off by the smell and appearance, especially in hot weather!

Dry foods: Packaged in plastic cartons or bags, dry food is easy to store and has a longer shelf life than wet. Less messy to use, it generally contains less than 10 per cent moisture and is therefore more economical. On the downside, because dry food is high in calories it is easy to overfeed. Constant access to fresh, clean water is essential.

RAW DEAL

Because dogs are descended from wolves, many people think it is healthier and more natural to feed them a diet of raw meat. There are arguments both for and against this sort of diet, but it is worth noting that many domestic breeds of dog are unable to chew or digest raw food very efficiently and feeding bones is always risky as splinters can pierce the intestines.

Although certain essential nutrients are lost in cooking, the cooking process will reduce the risk of bacteria being present. Because of the intensive farming methods commonly used today and the increased likelihood of contamination, it is safer to give your dog cooked meat or commercially prepared pet food.

Dogs that are fed on meat alone are likely to suffer from calcium and other deficiencies, so to keep your dog well and happy ask your vet’s opinion on feeding him raw meat and the effects this may have on his health.

FOODS TO AVOID

Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which can be fatal to dogs in large quantities. It can cause vomiting, restlessness, palpitations and seizures. Pet chocolate is high in fat, so feed only as a treat.

Raisins and grapes: Can be toxic to dogs and may cause renal failure.

Onions: 5-10 kg (11-22 lbs) of cooked onion per kilo (pound) of bodyweight may cause anaemia.

Garlic: Part of the onion family, and if eaten in large quantities may cause skin problems and asthma. If fed as a natural flea repellent, it may be advisable to feed for five days followed by a two-day break.

Lactose: Found in dairy products, this is not well digested by weaned dogs.

Fruit: High sugar levels and acidity may cause gastric upset.

Potatoes: Cooked potatoes are not poisonous but are not easily digested. Raw green potatoes contain solanum, which is toxic to dogs.

WATER

Dogs cannot store water easily and dehydration can soon be fatal. Around 60 per cent of an adult dog’s body is water, and even a small loss of fluid can be serious. Dogs need about 45-50 ml of water per kilo (1 fl oz per pound) of bodyweight per day, but weather, exercise and diet also influence water intake.

Happy dog tip: Dogs can be greedy and don’t always instinctively know what’s good for them - so take control of your pet’s diet.

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 26th, 2007 at 3:57 am and is filed under What Makes Dogs Happy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.