Skip to main content

Tips for Feeding Your Dog



Tips for Feeding Your Pet
Guest Post Courtesy of Lynne Choate, Pet First

The rattle of a bag or the opening of the pantry door and here they come. Does your pet knows the sound and always comes running in hopes of a nibble no matter what it is? And even worse, your dog just finished up what was in their bowl. So why do they always seem hungry? Are you feeding your pet enough? Is their food nutritious?

Let’s start with reading the ingredients listed.The first ingredient listed should represent the highest valued food in the mix, but that isn’t always the case. The weight of the food may have been taken prior to being cooked or processed. For example, chicken when raw weighs about 80% more than it does when cooked. 

The word “meal” in the ingredient list is something that has been weighed after being processed.  For example, "chicken meal" is chicken which is weighed after it has been cooked and the water has already been taken out, giving you more meat and protein per weight volume.

How much food and how often should you feed your pets?
First, always talk with your vet and follow his/her recommendations. Your vet knows your pet’s medical history and their breed-specific needs. Here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind:

For grown dogs (over the age of one year) most vets recommend feeding them twice per day and to stick to a specific routine on timing. As far as how much, it depends on the weight of your dog.  Smaller breeds (25 lbs and under) need one cup or less per meal; medium breeds weighing between 25 – 50 pounds need 1 – 2 cups of food per meal; large breeds weighing 50 – 75 pounds need 2 – 2½ cups per meal; and the larger breeds such as Great Dane, Malamute, St. Bernard or Mastiff, may need 2 – 4 (or more) cups of food per meal. 

Last, but certainly not least, what about the begging? Is your dog or cat a beggar while you are enjoying a family meal or when you go to grab a snack?  To tell the truth, you (or those in your home) are most likely to blame. Begging is a learned behavior. What started out as innocent sharing has now become an annoying habit, a habit that is much harder to break. But rest assured, it can be done!  Start off by only feeding your pup (meals, treats and snacks) in their food bowl. Train your dog to sit a couple of feet away from the bowl while you prepare the food and not to move toward it until you give the command. Also, never feed your dog while they are begging. Treats are your idea, not his (or hers).

Image: Flickr

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

10 Strangest Items Swallowed By Dogs

My mother’s Schnauzer mix, Sha Sha, eats just about anything.  I didn’t quite believe just how often she would quickly snap up everything in her sight until a few weeks ago when she swallowed a quarter and a nickel in the blink of an eye. The vet advised my mother to watch her for the next few days as the coins would likely pass. It’s a very common issue among dog owners and it doesn’t only happen with puppies. The majority of dogs do grow out of the need to eat inedible objects. It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what a puppy would eat so it’s best to be vigilant about where you dog is allowed to freely roam. Many dogs and puppies have been known to swallow seemingly unsuitable items, which  you might not find in any way enticing or preferable, but they do. Check out this list of the strangest things swallowed by dogs as witnessed by the  ASPCA :

Tips To Help Your Child Bond With Your Dog

Courtesy of Pet 360: Growing up with a family pet is a great way for kids to learn two of life’s most valuable lessons: respect and responsibility. To help parents create and foster a special bond between their human and fur kids,  Pet360.com  has pulled together the following tips for each stage of a child’s development:

What to Do if You Find a Stray Dog

Dogs are part of the family. The unique personalities and characteristics our dogs possess are irreplaceable, and it can be heart-breaking to lose their company. Stray dogs are a growing problem in the United States, and a majority of these strays are forced to wander the dangerous streets or begin a new life in an animal shelter. Learning how to properly bring a stray dog to safety is vital for your safety, as well as the stray’s safety. When trying to care for a stray, safety is always first. It is easy to become swept up in emotions when you see a stray dog hurt or in a dangerous situation — like running in traffic.   Even if you have good intentions, it is important to consider all options before taking action to keep the situation from becoming even more hazardous. There are numerous ways to encounter a stray dog, but the most common scenarios are on foot or in vehicular traffic. Remaining calm is the key to keeping a clear mind and deciding the best option for the st