Feeding Your Dog - Part 1
Your dog, like you, needs good nutrition and a balanced diet both of which are essential elements for good health and a long happy life. Your dog needs plenty of fresh water and should be fed good quality food in amounts that are appropriate to meet its specific energy requirements. Inadequate or excess intake of nutrients and their corresponding calories can be equally harmful to your dog and can lead to obesity.
The choice of dry vs. canned vs. semi-moist food is an individual one. Generally, larger dogs (those greater than 30 pounds) should be fed a dry or semi-moist food. Most dry dog foods on the market are made from a base of soybean, corn or rice. Some of the better brands have added meat or fish meal and it is listed as the first ingredient on the label. Even though these foods are higher priced, they are worth considering as dogs will typically need to eat less of the higher quality products. Dry dog foods also have a greater “caloric density” which means that there is less water in a cup of dry food as compared to a cup of canned food which contains higher water content. This is not a big issue for smaller dogs, but large dogs may have difficulty eating a large enough amount of the canned food to give them enough calories simply due to the amount of water in the food. Another added benefit of dry food is that it helps to clean your dogs??teeth removing plaque and tartar as the dog?? teeth break up the food.
Dietary requirements of proteins, fats and carbohydrates for dogs vary according to several factors including activity and stress level, and medical history. Dogs expend energy in many different ways. Outdoor dogs are likely to experience increased levels of exercise and thus require more protein and fat for energy production than dogs that stay indoors most of the time. Dogs in various life stages including puppy (growth), adult (maintenance) and senior (geriatric) require different amounts of nutrients just as people do. Special situations such as illness, pregnancy and nursing puppies can also greatly affect nutritional needs. In general, the more active your dog the more energy it needs and it gets that energy through its food.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) was formed in 1909 to establish a framework for uniform regulation of the feed industry. Although not a government agency, AAFCO operates within the guidelines of federal and state legislation including laws administered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Your pet?? primary food should conform to minimal AAFCO standards. Diets that fulfill the AAFCO regulations will state on the label: “formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for??(a given life stage). Conforming to AAFCO standards is optional so read labels carefully.
General Recommendations:
* AAFCO Standards: All primary foods should conform to AAFCO standards as indicated on the label. This indicates the manufacturer is following the national consensus recommendations for dog foods.
* Food Type: The choice of dry, canned or semi-moist is an individual one, but if your dog is more than 30 pounds, dry food is preferred as the base diet for its greater caloric density.
* How Often to Feed: You should feed your dog once or twice a day. Put the food down and take it up again after ten to twenty minutes regardless of whether your dog has finished eating it. This discourages “picky eating” and lets you be certain of exactly how much food your dog is eating. Frequently, a problem is first noticed when your dogs appetite changes, so scheduled feeding like this (rather than free feeding) will tip you off to potential problems right away. If changes in your dogs feeding habits occur, it is important to consult with your Veterinarian.
* Water: Always provide plenty of fresh water for your dog.
Taking Age into Consideration:
* For puppies (less than 8 to 9 months and less than 30 pounds): Feed your puppy a consistent canned, semi-moist or dry dog food designed specifically for puppies. If your dog weighs more than 30 pounds, dry food is preferred for greater caloric density.
* For adult dogs (8 to 9 months to 6 years): Feed your adult dog a consistent dry, canned or semi-moist dog food designed for an “adult” dog.
* For senior dogs (over 7 years): Feed your senior dog a consistent dry, canned or semi-moist dog food designed specifically for a “senior” dog.