Perfect Puppy Care » Puppy Food

Why Puppies Will Overeat If You Let Them

Jeff Van Dalsum — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:25:49 +0000

Puppies are naturally predisposed to eat a lot of food very quickly; in centuries past, when many dogs lived in the wild, they were forced to consume their grub very rapidly in order to satisfy their hunger (before a predator came along and attempted to grab their hard-won sustenance). Today, puppies are served meals by their owners – they don’t need to fight for their fair share; however, the primal urge to overfeed and “wolf” down food is essentially “hard-wired” in many breeds.

Knowing how your puppy thinks- and getting a handle on his or her animal instincts- is the first step to understanding your beloved canine pal and controlling his or her appetite. So, yes, your puppy will overfeed if it is permitted, but there are ways to ensure that your young dog gets all the nutrition that he or she needs, without excess calories (or painful indigestion) that might lead to health problems later on…here are some things you need to know:

Feed Fido at Set Intervals

Your beloved canine pal has a very small “tummy”, and he or she just can’t handle a huge quantity of food at one sitting; this means that overfeeding will result in a sore stomach and potential intestinal distress. To keep your puppy healthy, feed the young dog three or four times a day, according to a fixed schedule.

How much you feed your pup should be dictated by the animal’s body weight. Most pet stores sell dog food just for puppies; usually, this is called kibble, and it is a dry blend of nutrients that must be mixed with water before serving. This type of pet food will feature instructionsfor measuring out a serving based on a puppy’s body weight – just be sure to weigh your puppy frequently to be certain that you’re following the directions properly.

By giving your pup the proper amounts of kibble puppy food at set intervals, you’ll control his or her insatiable appetite as best you can -and you’ll make it easier for your puppy to feel satisfied. Never go too long without feeding your puppy – he or she is growing at an amazing rate, and your pet needs constant nutrition to support this important phase of development.

If you don’t feed your dog at set intervals, he or she may begin to eat things that are decidedly unhealthy, including dirt and rocks.

Of course, proper hydration is also a vital component of caring for your loyal puppy friend. A healthy and hydrated pup will have rosy pink gums, rather than dry and pale-looking gums. Give your pup access to water during the sunlit hours, and reduce access during the moonlit hours – this sensible approach tends to work very well. Always make sure that your puppy has access to clean, fresh water during the day, as this type of hydration supports his or her general health and well-being.

If you’re still concerned about exactly how much food and water to give your puppy, be sure to ask a licensed veterinarian for advice.

Start With Kibble at Four Weeks

Puppies should be nursed by their mothers until they reach one month of age – at this point, it’s time to move on to commercial puppy food. Healthy puppies will display intense hunger that hardly ever seems to dissipate; however, three or four bowls of kibble per day (mixed with water) should fulfill all of their caloric and nutritional requirements. It may be tempting to augment kibble puppy food with other treats, such as chicken, steak and so on – bear in mind that “rewarding” your pet with these rich foods can be a big mistake.

Typically, meat dishes prepared for human consumption feature spices, oils and other additives that react negatively with a puppy’s fragile system – it’s really unwise to offer “people” food to pups – even if it seems pure and harmless. While what you feed Fido is a personal choice, experts seem to concur that dog food formulated for puppies is always the best choice for a growing canine. In some cases, giving a puppy human food that is not ideal for its digestive system may lead to intestinal distress or an expensive trip to the veterinarian.

To help your puppy manage his or her healthy appetite, balance the dog’s lifestyle – build plenty of exercise, proper food, hydration, and affection into Fido’s daily schedule. When your puppy is getting all he or she needs to grow well and thrive, you will know that you are caring for your pet responsibly – and compassionately.

When Should a Puppy Be Weaned?

Jeff Van Dalsum — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:21:49 +0000

A commonly asked question by those new to the world of dogs is when should a puppy begin to eat solid food?

For at least the first three weeks of life, a puppy needs its mother’s milk (or a milk replacement) to survive. It is around this time that the true weaning process should start. Weaning is the process of getting a puppy to eat food other than its mother’s milk or formula.

Weaning is usually a fairly easy process. In fact, many puppies wean themselves as they grow and their appetites increase.

Commercial kennels frequently begin to introduce solid foods around the age of three-and-a-half weeks. One of the reasons for this is that they are preparing the puppies for new homes and a puppy should be completely weaned before he or she is sent to a new place.

Doctors Foster and Smith suggest feeding a puppy mush to start the weaning process. Choose a brand of dry food. Put two cups of dry puppy food in a blender with 12.5 ounces of liquid puppy milk replacer. Fill the blender to the top with hot water. Run the blender until the food mixture is the consistency of cereal. You now have enough to feed six to eight puppies (this is based on a medium-sized breed).

Start by feeding the puppies three or four times a day. The idea now is to gradually increase the amount of mush that they eat. In addition, each week will have you adjusting the puppy mush recipe. Each adjustment will have you increasing the amount of food, decreasing the amount of milk replacer and water and reducing the time in the blender.

The goal is to have the puppy eating dry food by the age of six to eight weeks. It is important to note here that some breeders and veterinarians advocate solid food between the ages of four and six weeks. Others will argue that a puppy needs to get as much of its mother’s milk as possible to ensure that the dog has a well-developed immune system. Thus, there is some leeway in the weaning process.

As you can see, there is no hard and fast rule for weaning. Each situation is a bit different. If you are going to breed your dog, talk to other breeders and your dog’s veterinarian for advice. They can offer professional advice suited to your breed of dog.

Once the puppy is weaned, it should be fed puppy chow at least three times a day. At the age of four or five months, reduce the feeding to two times a day. You can reduce feeding to once a day as the puppy nears the age of one year.

Always feed a good quality food. Brand X varieties rely on lots of fillers that do absolutely nothing for your dog but cause it to make larger piles of feces that have to be cleaned up. Quality food may cost more, but it can actually be a savings if it keeps your dog healthy.

Emergency Substitute Options For Pet Food

Introducing a New Food to a Puppy

Jeff Van Dalsum — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:17:05 +0000

There are several reasons why one might want to change a puppy’s food. The most common reason is that it is time to introduce an adult dog food.

Other reasons may include an allergic reaction to the food you are feeding the puppy. The puppy may lose his or her taste for the food you are feeding. The puppy’s veterinarian may recommend a dietary change. Last but not least, you could have to change your dog’s diet because of a pet food recall.

It is best to make a gradual transition when changing your puppy’s food. Unfortunately, you may have to throw caution to the wind in the event of a pet food recall because no one wants to feed his or her puppy tainted food.

A rapid change in diet can cause stomach upset, indigestion, diarrhea and vomiting. The process of changing a puppy’s food in most situations means taking a week to 10 days to make the transition.

Start by adding a small amount of the new food to the puppy’s diet. Thoroughly mix the new food into the old food your puppy is used to eating. Increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of old food in proportion. Add more new food each day until you are no longer using the old food. This gradual transition should help you make the food exchange without distress to the puppy’s system.

If your puppy develops loose stools during the food transition, try slowing down on the food change. Maintain feeding the same amounts until the puppy is better. Then you can begin to slowly add more of the new food and decrease the old food in equal amounts.

If changing foods causes your puppy to experience an upset stomach, you can add a mixture of boiled chicken and rice or hamburger (be sure it is lean and the fat is removed) and rice for a few days.

Pepto-Bismol can be used to help curtail stomach problems. It is best to check with the puppy’s veterinarian for the proper dosage.

As your puppy grows into adulthood, you will have to decide when to change from puppy to adult food. A general rule of thumb is to make the change when the dog has stopped growing because it takes less nutrition to maintain an adult’s body than a puppy’s rapidly-growing one.

Dog breed and size has a lot to do with when a puppy stops growing, but it will occur in most cases between the ages of one and two years. Dogs that are considered small or medium-sized usually stop growing by the time they reach the age of one. Large dogs that weigh between 80 and 100 pounds usually stop growing by the time they are 18 months of age. Very large dogs weighing more than 100 pounds need the extra nutrition provided by puppy food. It can take up to two years of age until they finish growing.

If your dog doesn’t seem to fit into the general guidelines, consult the puppy’s veterinarian for advice.

Size Does Matter

Jeff Van Dalsum — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:00:36 +0000

Have you ever wondered why dry dog food comes in many different sizes and shapes?

While it may be partly due to marketing, one of the main reasons is that the different sizes and shapes of the food are designed to comfortably fit in the mouths of dogs of varying sizes.

Choosing the right dry kibble is important to the health of your dog. Small breeds are better off when fed kibble that is small in size. Larger breeds prefer bigger pieces of food.

The size of food you feed to your dog is most important during the puppy stage. If you choose food that is too large, smaller dogs may have trouble chewing it up and digesting it. For example, a toy poodle’s kibble should be much smaller than that of a Great Dane puppy’s dry food.

Small breed puppies have less nutritional requirements than larger breeds. This does not mean that you don’t have to pay attention to the nutritional value of foods that you feed your puppy. You need to choose a size kibble that is designed for your size dog.

Puppy food formulas must provide adequate nutrition to support and maintain good health. Too much of some nutrients can lead to health issues. The requirements for different size dogs vary. For example, food suitable for a small breed can provide too much calcium and excess calories that can cause harmful spurts of growth among large breed dogs.

Kibble is formulated to provide the best nutritional options for adult dogs. Small or toy-sized breeds require small pieces that are easy to chew. These smaller food pieces are packed with calories that help the dog maintain their energy levels. Frequently, smaller adult dogs eat twice day while larger breeds are best fed once a day. That means larger pieces of kibble are more apt to contain few calories per serving.

Kibble for giant breed dogs is often larger because the food contains nutrients that are not vital to small breed dogs. Chondroitin and glucosamine, which are important for the maintenance of healthy joints and cartilage, are often included.

As your dog ages, it may be necessary to buy kibble that comes in smaller pieces so that the canine can more easily chew and digest it. The condition of your dog’s teeth will have a great deal to do with the type of food you should be feeding Fido.

When choosing a dry food for your dog, consult with the veterinarian and/or reputable breeder. They can help you select the type and size best suited to your furry canine friend. Of course, you will have to change kibble when the puppy reaches adulthood and again when the dog is elderly. You may find it necessary to change food types more frequently. Watch your dog closely while he or she eats. If you detect that the dog has trouble dealing with the size of kibble you are feeding, you may have to try another brand of food.

Not All Human Foods Are Bad For Your Dog

Jeff Van Dalsum — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:10:44 +0000

We have all heard experts in the field of animal health care tell us that dogs should never get table scraps. They should be fed a consistent diet of kibble and/or canned dog food to maintain optimal health.

There are a host of reasons for experts to preach “no human food” as the gospel for dog care. One is that some human foods are very toxic to dogs. Another is that table food can spoil a dog’s appetite and make him or her unhappy with their dry dog food. In addition, many processed human foods contain a high amount of sodium, which is not good for our four-legged canine friends.

While some of this advice is good, there certainly are exceptions to the “no table food” rule. In fact, some human foods are quite nutritious for canines and can be used every day to promote good health. However, remember to always consider the potential for food allergies with your puppy. Start by offering a minimal amount to your puppy and then waiting 24 hours to determine if your puppy reacts adversely to the new food.

Let’s take a look at a few of the healthy options:

Apples – There’s an old human adage that says “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The same may be true for dogs, but caution must be used because apple seeds contain cyanide, which should not be consumed by canines because the harmful effects can accumulate over time and cause illness. However, apples are full of vitamins A and C and they are also a good source of fiber. When feeding apples to your dog, be sure to thoroughly wash them to remove any harmful spray residue. Don’t bother peeling them. The skin is chocked full of phytonutrients that are believed to be a preventative for some types of cancers. Simply cut them into quarters, remove the seeds and offer them to your furry friend, who will most likely enjoy the natural sweetness of the treat.

Brewer’s yeast – A word of caution in necessary. Do not confuse brewer’s yeast, which is available in health food stores, with baking yeast, which can make canines very ill. The two are not the same! Double check that bag before you buy it! Brewer’s yeast, which is a byproduct from making alcohol, has been used for years as a natural means of preventing dogs from becoming infested with fleas. Supposedly, once brewer’s yeast enters the dog system, it gives off an odor that is unpleasant to fleas. In addition to providing a deterrent to fleas, brewer’s yeast is full of vitamin B, which is quite beneficial to the skin, coat and metabolism. Brewer’s yeast is thought to stimulate the canine immune system and it contains biotin, zinc and high-quality proteins that assist in reducing the shedding of hair. Some folks say that brewer’s yeast works well to boost a dog’s appetite. Simply sprinkle some on the dog’s food.

Eggs – Eggs are a good source of protein for both humans and dogs. However, there is a debate over whether or not dogs should eat raw eggs. Some veterinarians say raw eggs are good for a dog’s coat. Others say raw eggs should be avoided because the uncooked egg whites can cause a biotin deficiency. You should talk to experts that you trust so that you can make your own decision concerning the feeding of raw eggs. Cooked eggs are a low fat treat and a good source of digestible protein. Cooked eggs can provide some relief for dogs that are prone to digestive problems. Lightly-scrambled eggs are ideal for mixing with a dog’s dry food. Not only do they make the meal more attractive, cooked eggs are a good source of riboflavin and selenium, which is a substance found in natural sulphides.

Flax seeds – Flax seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids that are essential to maintaining a dog’s healthy skin and coat. Flax seeds are beneficial whether ground or processed for oil. Because the oil can quickly turn rancid, flax seed oil, which is also known as linseed oil, is best fed prior to a meal. The seed is a good source of fiber. Flax seed oil provides a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, but does not provide the fiber. Some people choose to feed flax seed oil rather than fish oil because it doesn’t smell nearly as bad as fish oil and it has more alpha-linolenic acid, which is beneficial in reducing immune system disorders, while also supplying omega-6 fatty acids. Once opened, flax seed oil should be stored in a dark container in the refrigerator.

Green beans – Thinking of putting your dog on a diet? Green beans could be just what the doctor ordered. They are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins K and C and manganese. Owners who have dogs that are overweight have had excellent results with supplementing some of the canine’s regular food with green beans. If you choose canned green beans, make sure to buy those with a lower salt content.

Oatmeal – Oatmeal contains soluble fiber, which can be quite beneficial to older dogs that may experience irregularity when it comes to moving their bowels. Frequently used for dogs that cannot tolerate wheat, oatmeal should be served cooked. Do not add sugar.

Pumpkin – Pumpkin is an excellent diet food for dogs. Canned pumpkin can be mixed with a dog’s dry food to reduce the caloric intake. Pumpkin is also a good source of beta carotene, which provides vitamin A, and fiber. It can help keep a dog “regular.”

Salmon – Salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids because of its high fat content. While high in fat, it is a good source of useable fat that can help boost immune system health. Salmon is good for both the skin and dog’s coat. It is best to feed cooked salmon or to use salmon oil. Raw salmon can contain parasites that can cause illness in dogs.

Yogurt – This is something you shouldn’t be without. Feeding yogurt to dogs is extremely beneficial because it is high in calcium and protein. Choose yogurts that have live bacteria and little or no sugar. Refrain from buying those that contain artificial sweeteners. Yogurt can help with the digestion process, especially when a dog is taking antibiotics. If you like to share a snack with your dog, trying freezing some yogurt. You can have your ice cream and Fido can have his yogurt.

Whenever one introduces new foods to a dog’s diet, it is best to do so gradually to minimize any intestinal stress.

Grapes Can Be Toxic to Your Dog

Jeff Van Dalsum — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:05:06 +0000

For years, folks considered the news flash that dogs should not eat grapes as an old wives’ tale, but recent research has indicated that grapes can be hazardous to your pet’s health. Research is still being done to establish if there are safe limits for the feeding of grapes, which were frequently used as training treats for canines.

The idea that grapes potentially caused kidney failure in dogs surfaced in 1989. Veterinarians saw a trend develop in the relationship between dogs that consumed grapes and those that suffered from acute renal failure. A computerized animal toxicity database showed that there is a relationship between kidney failure and the consumption of grapes just prior to the onset of the illness.

The kidney failure phenomenon was first identified by the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), which is run by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

When veterinary toxicologists went to work to study the kidney failure issue, they found that dogs that consumed between nine ounces to two pounds of grapes began vomiting and showing jittery or hyperactive behavior within the first 24 hours of eating the grapes. After the first 24 hours, dogs that are suffering kidney problems from the consumption of grapes can become lethargic, anorexic and depressed. They may show signs of abdominal pain. It is not unusual for the dog to stop drinking and urinating, leading to total kidney failure and death.

The key to successfully treating dogs that consumed a harmful amount of grapes or raisins is to get veterinary care within two hours of the dog eating the fruit. The veterinarian will most likely induce vomiting to rid the dog’s body of the toxin. As a follow up precaution, the veterinarian will administer charcoal, which is a good means of absorbing body toxins. In addition, the dog’s doctor will introduce IV fluid therapy, which is required to keep the kidneys working. Depending on the circumstances, veterinarians may choose to add other medications. In extreme cases, dialysis may be necessary.

Research is continuing in an effort to learn what it is in grapes that causes kidney failure and if there is a safe limit on the amount of grapes a dog can consume. It has been proven that raisins are much more concentrated than grapes, so the risk seems to be greater with raisins.

Researchers are also checking to see if pesticides or herbicides play a role in the toxicity of grapes and raisins. They are studying whether or not it could be a fungal toxin or a result of heavy metals in the fruit. To date, the actual toxin remains unknown.

Until further research answers the unknowns surrounding canine consumption of grapes or raisins, it is best to refrain from introducing your dog to the fruit. There are other healthy treats that you can feed to your dog.

If your dog is already eating grapes, consider cutting the amount back. Better yet, stop the practice and find an alternative treat.

Feeding Tips for Puppies

Jeff Van Dalsum — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:01:37 +0000

If you have never before had a puppy, it can be pretty confusing when it comes to choosing which food to feed. Grocery and pet store shelves are lined with many varieties, but not all are created equal.

Reputable breeders and veterinarians are good sources of information when it comes to choosing the appropriate food. Nutritional requirements of different breeds of dogs do vary somewhat. Choosing the right food can mean the difference between a healthy and unhealthy adult dog.

Keep in mind that pet stores and grocery stores are in business to make money. Not all of the employees who work in these stores are well versed in the nutritional needs of dogs. Get your information from a pro!

The first important tip is to introduce any new food slowly. Don’t expect to take a puppy from its mother and have it begin eating a commercial puppy food product without some stomach upset or intestinal distress. Start by adding a small amount of the new food into the diet daily. Increase the amount of solid food over a couple of weeks for an optimum transition from the mother’s milk to solid foods.

Many young puppies do best on a combination of canned and dry food. A young puppy’s teeth may not be up to the task of chewing up dry food unless it is softened by adding some canned food. The canned food can be phased out as the puppy gets older and its permanent teeth develop.

If you have a pet store near you, visit it. Generally, pet stores tend to carry better quality foods than do grocery stores. Expect to pay more at a pet store. However, the additional cost of the food can be a real bargain in the end because feeding a healthy, nutritional diet can mean less in veterinary bills.

Become a label reader. Not all foods are created equal. It is up to you to find one that is best suited for your breed of dog. This is where reputable breeders, trainers and veterinarians can be a big help.

Deciding how much to feed can be a difficult task that takes a little trial and error work. Dog food labels often recommend a larger amount of food than is needed. Your puppy can take a lot of the guess work out of this task. Start by offering the puppy the amount of food recommended on the can or bag. The manufacturer’s recommendations are usually based on a dog’s weight. Watch the puppy closely during feeding time. A puppy should eat as much as it wants within 10 to 15 minutes of your offering the food. If the puppy gobbles up all of the food in that time period, you will want to offer a little more at the next feeding. If the dog does not eat all of the food offered within the 10 to 15 minute time period, throw the excess away and cut back a little at the next feeding.

Some puppies are apt to gorge themselves. If your puppy tends to do this, try feeding less food at more frequent intervals. It also helps if you place spoons in the dish on top of the food. This will slow down the puppy’s food intake.

Experts say it is not a good idea to free feed, which means leaving food down all of the time. There are several reasons for this. One is that left over food attracts ants in the house. If you feed the puppy outdoors, leftover food can attract unwanted animals that carry diseases that can affect your dog.

Dog food does spoil. Canned food will turn rancid faster than dry food, but both do have the potential to make your puppy sick.

Another good reason to avoid free feeding is that it makes it harder to monitor the puppy’s appetite. A loss of appetite is one of the first things to go when a puppy feels sick. If the food dish always contains food, it will be harder for you to monitor what the puppy is eating.

Following these basic tips can help you get your puppy off to a good start.

Pet Food Recalls

Jeff Van Dalsum — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:11:11 +0000

One of the first massive pet food recalls took place in March 2007 when the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) found a substance known as melamine in some already manufactured pet foods as well as in the wheat gluten used to make pet food products.

The melamine problem first came to light for the FDA on March 15, 2007 when employees of the agency learned that China was shipping products contaminated with melamine in products that were used to make pet food.

Melamine is a chemical that is rich in nitrogen. It has many industrial uses, including as an industrial binding agent, flame retardant and as part of the plastics used in cooking utensils. Melamine is often included in the manufacturing of fertilizers. However, it is not permitted for use in fertilizers made in the United States.

Melamine is not a substance that anyone would describe as healthy to eat. This was proven by the deaths of some dogs and cats that ate the food tainted with melamine.

Numerous products were pulled from the shelves of stores. Both inexpensive and expensive dog and cat foods were affected by the addition of melamine.

At first, it was hard to get information about the tainted foods. Once the knowledge became public, a lot of information was published in media worldwide, as well as at many online Internet sources. Two sites that provide up-to-date information are:

http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/default.asp
and
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/newpetfoodrecalls/

It is a good idea to routinely monitor both sites to make sure you are aware of the latest recalls.

Federal law mandates that the FDA is responsible for monitoring drugs and food for both dogs and humans. When the first pet food recalls happened in 2007, it became known that the FDA had not been all that active in regulating the ingredients in pet foods due to a lack of funding and manpower.

In fact, the government agency did little to monitor pet foods until a complaint was filed.
Unfortunately, the FDA does not have the manpower and resources needed to monitor all pet foods while doing their part to regulate the other human and animal products under their jurisdiction.

The good news is that many dog food companies have changed their own rules for what is acceptable to include in pet foods. Fortunately for the pets and their owners, the rules have become more stringent and pet food manufactures have learned that they must also monitor the ingredients they purchase.

The FDA and the United States Department of Agriculture conducted a comprehensive investigation into the melamine crisis. On February 6, 2008, the FDA announced that several parties from China and the United States were indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in importing wheat gluten contaminated with melamine.

Since the big pet food recalls, many people have opted to make their own pet foods. That is okay if you know what is needed to provide your pet with a nutritionally balanced diet.

It is a good idea to consult with your pet’s veterinarian before embarking on your own pet food-making endeavors.

Recommended Foods/Treats For Different Size Dogs

Jeff Van Dalsum — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:26:29 +0000

The nutritional needs of dogs vary depending on size and breed. The optimum diet for a large breed dog will not necessarily meet the needs of a smaller dog.

That is because small breed dogs actually have faster metabolisms and burn energy at a faster rate than large breed dogs. A Pomeranian needs twice as many calories per pound as a Great Dane.

Small breed dogs require smaller pieces of food because of the limited size of their mouths. The same is true when it comes to feeding snacks and treats. A Pomeranian cannot wrap his or mouth around large treats manufactured for large breed dogs.

Small breed dogs have smaller stomachs and this means that they are not capable of digesting a lot of food at one time. That is why it is best to feed smaller amounts of food two to four times a day.

There is no denying that big dogs can have large appetites. However, they require fewer calories and less fat because their metabolisms are much slower than that of small breed dogs.

Larger dogs have a large skeletal system and they need strong joints to support it. Thus, larger breed dogs need more minerals such as calcium and phosphorus than small breed dogs do.

It is important to avoid obesity in larger dogs because the excess weight is very taxing on joints, ligaments, muscles and bone. It is important that the food you choose for large breed dogs has extra vitamins and minerals to promote the healthy development of muscles, joints and bones.

Foods devised for large breed dogs help control rapid growth of puppy bones. Rapid growth can lead to bone and ligament deformities.

Large breed dog foods do not contain as much fat as those manufactured for small breed dogs. This is because larger dogs have a slower metabolism and do not need as much fat in their diets as do small breed dogs.

It wasn’t that many years ago that only a few kinds of dog food graced the pet and grocery store shelves. Today, thanks to a lot of research and development, those same shelves have been expanded to hold a much bigger array of pet food products. A trip to a well-stocked pet store can be mind-boggling. There are so many products to choose from that you can spend a good bit of time reading labels.

Many dog food manufacturers are now offering foods that have been created to meet the needs of different sized dogs.

Most dog treats come in sizes that accommodate the needs of different breeds. Not only are the treats themselves sized differently; the nutritional content can differ depending on the size of the dog they are made for.

When feeding commercial foods, use the manufacturer’s feeding guidelines as a reference. You may need to increase of decrease the recommended amounts of food. Each dog is different and you have to find what works best for your pet.

In general, large breed food and snack products have lower feeding recommendations per unit weight of the dog.

Sharing Food and Water Bowls

Jeff Van Dalsum — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:45:38 +0000

Life in a house with more than one dog is a lot easier if each pet has his or her own food and water bowls. Even though the dogs may get along when it comes to play and exercise, sharing food and water bowls is asking for trouble. Why take the unnecessary risk?

It is best to physically separate dogs during feeding times. Failing to do so could cause a bloody fight, and if you’ve ever been in the middle of a dogfight, you know it is something you would rather not repeat.

Try putting the dogs’ food dishes in different rooms at feeding time. It is best if you can close a door to keep the dogs from trying to get to each other’s dishes.

If you cannot put the dogs in separate areas during feeding time, plan on monitoring the eating session so that one dog cannot intimidate the other into giving up its food. Place yourself between the two food bowls and do not allow the dogs to cross the invisible line that you set.

It is especially important to establish separate feeding habits if you have an older dog that has lived with you for a while and you choose to introduce a new puppy into the household. The dog that was there first is quite likely to show his or her dominance at the feeding site. This can cause the puppy to become insecure and that can lead to a host of behavioral problems.

Puppies need to eat more frequently than adult dogs. In order to curtail jealousy in the older dog, you may want to offer him or her a snack every time you feed the puppy. Be sure to choose nutritional snacks that will not promote obesity. Gradually cut back on the treats for the older dog as you decrease feeding times for the puppy.

Some dogs will gobble up every item of food in sight and look for more. If one of the dogs in the household has this personality trait, he or she could become drastically overweight while the other dog gets barely enough food to survive.

Sharing food bowls can cause dogs to eat too fast as they compete for their share of the food. This can lead to some foul-smelling flatulence.

Diseases such as kennel cough and other respiratory infections can be spread through the sharing of food and water bowls. Saliva and food bits cling to the bowl, turning them into a breeding ground for bacteria and disease.

Depending on your living situation, it may not be feasibly possible to always provide separate water bowls due to a lack of space or the fact that the dogs share the run of the house or the yard. Since it is important that dogs have access to water whenever they want it, you may have to choose the lesser of two evils and allow the dogs access to the same water dish. Although it is not ideal, sharing water dishes is not as bad as sharing food dishes.