Basic Rules for Feeding Your Dog
Proper, complete nutrition is essential to your dog’s health, and it’s an unbalanced diet that is the root of most ailments. If he’s malnourished, your dog doesn’t get the elements he needs to function properly, he’s weakened and vulnerable to illness. While a well-nourished dog is always energetic and active, with a strong immune system, excellent metabolism, healthy teeth, ears, coat and skin, he needs little or no complicated grooming, because a healthy body naturally forms a well-groomed appearance.
The concept of “good nutrition” includes not only quality balanced feed, but also the optimal portion size and optimal daily amount of feedings, as well as the time and place of feeding.
Unfortunately, not all owners know that we should feed our dogs after, and never before, a walk, because the dog needs peace of mind, not active play, to digest comfortably.
A plate for food should be comfortable and should be placed on a special stand, not on the floor.
Ideally the plate with the food should be at the level of the chest during the feeding so that your dog does not tilt his head too low and his posture is not affected. If possible, purchase a stand with an adjustable height, this is very convenient as you will be able to change the height of the stand as your pet grows. It’s best if the food bowls are in a cozy, quiet place so that nothing interferes with the food intake. Don’t forget that fresh, clean water should always be readily available to your dog. But uneaten food container should always be put away, so your dog understands that he only eats when he’s supposed to.
Dogs are carnivores, not omnivores like humans, and of course they eat mostly meat. Food should be kept at room temperature, because hot or cold food can cause digestive upset.
The main rule when it comes to feeding the dog is: don’t overfeed!
Mild undernutrition will not do any harm, while overweight will cause your dog to feel unwell, get sick and live a shorter life. A good meal is when your dog finishes all his food, enjoys licking his bowl and walks away from it calmly. If he’s nibbling around it, licking it thoroughly and trying to pick up any crumbs on the floor, increase his portion. Start making changes at his next meal, don’t give him enough to eat immediately, otherwise he’ll know he’s had enough, and he’ll turn up and beg for more.
Never force your dog to eat.
If your dog refuses to eat, think about what could be causing it. Perhaps the food has gone bad or the previous meal was too abundant. Don’t encourage him to eat what you feed him by palming it on his hand, he’ll be less likely to resist your handler’s offer, but if he’s got no appetite then he’s better off without it. It’s okay if the dog skips one meal and eats the next. But if the pet has missed two feedings in a row without touching food at all, he’s probably not feeling well and the cause of the ailment needs to be identified.
How often should I feed my dog?
It should be kept in mind that the nutritional standards for different dog breeds are also different. It is best to check with the breeder’s club of your particular breed for detailed nutritional information and to follow the recommendations of professionals. In addition, by watching your dog, you will learn over time to adjust the amount of food to his individual needs.
The number of meals per day will vary depending on your dog’s age. Puppies eat frequently, up to six times a day, while an adult dog needs only two or one meal a day.
Approximate correspondence between the age of the dog and the frequency of meals:
- 1-2 months. – 6 meals per day;
- 2-4 months. – 5 feedings per day;
- 4-6 months. – 4 feedings per day;
- 6-9 months. – 3 feedings per day;
- From 9 months of age and beyond – 2-1 feedings per day.
Fromm vs Orijen dog food mashup
Puppy feeding
When it comes to feeding puppies there are nuances. The diet of dogs up to 10 months of age should be enriched with mineral supplements and vitamins, so that the puppy grows strong and healthy. Tablets can be given by hand, placed on the root of the tongue, or added to food.
If possible, give puppy a little bone meal daily (at an amount of ? tsp. per 10 kg. weight), it is very good for the body.
When buying a puppy, be sure to check with the breeder how often and what he was fed, as in the first days of your puppy’s stay with you, you must ensure that he has the same nutrition as the breeder, even if it was not quite correct. He should be introduced to his usual food from the start and the transition should be gradual and unobtrusive as this can lead to irritations and sickness.
fromm dog food feeding guidelines – basic rules
Up to two months old puppies are fed on their mother’s milk or on a special formula that’s a complete alternative to mother’s milk. From practically the first weeks of life, it’s advisable to feed puppies small amounts of lean beef, grated raw vegetables and fermented dairy products. Increase the meat size over time and from two months of age we recommend meat with fat and streaks to aid digestion.
What can I feed my dog?
- Natural nutrition
Remember that raw foods are easier for dogs to digest, so feed your dog raw meat (beef, offal, udder etc.) and wash off offal thoroughly before feeding. But pork and lamb should not be fed to dogs because the meat is very difficult for the body to digest.
Contrary to what many people think, the meat should be lightly salted. Yes, in the natural environment of course dogs eat meat without salt, but together with the meat in the dog’s body a large amount of prey blood, and the blood just contains mineral salts. So it is possible and necessary to salt the meat for the proper electrolyte metabolism in the dog’s body. But the various spices should not be sprinkled on the meat in any case. Also can not feed the dog spicy, smoked and other foods, so as not to provoke the development of gastritis and not to spoil the sense of smell.
Another inappropriate food is soup. Soup is poorly digested by the dog’s body, practically does not bring satiety, and only stretches the stomach. In addition, any smoked meats, fried foods, pasta, sweets, boiled bones (it is better to give the dog raw, not tubular bones, preferably gristle) are not healthy. You must be very careful with bones in general: don’t give your dog chicken bones, they can get stuck in his throat or damage his mouth, so don’t risk your pet’s health!
It is recommended to “postpone” the meat ration mainly to the second feeding, when the dog comes home after the evening walk, because the meat is quietly digested during the night.
In addition to meat, the dog’s diet should include dairy products, dried bread (both white and black), cereals (millet, hercules; rice is not recommended). Raw eggs and sea fish are also good for the dog, but they should not be given more than once a week.
When it comes to ready-made dog food storage container, good quality full-foods are practical and convenient, so you don’t have to worry about balancing vitamins and other nutrients. No matter how good the quality of natural food is, you can never exactly balance the nutrients it contains, and therefore you can’t fully meet your pet’s nutritional needs. Balanced dry and wet food solves that problem, because it contains all the vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to grow properly, and in just the right amounts that his body can absorb. It is important to choose high-quality super-premium food, which is based on meat. Economy class feeds have negligible meat content, and the main component is cereals, which does not match the physiology of the carnivore.
For healthy jaws and teeth, it is imperative that the dog chews and chews cartilage, bones, etc. Bones can be replaced by special tough treats, which are safer than natural bones and cartilage.
Your breeder or vet can help you find the right food for your dog. These are experienced people who will tell you what kind of food is right for your pet. But remember that if you’re converting your dog to ready-made pet food, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s advice and feed him the exact amount and frequency listed on the pack. Do not feed your dog prepared foods from different manufacturers at the same time and do not mix prepared foods and natural food, this will cause a serious imbalance.
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