Nutrition for your Dog
Nutrition is an essential part of your dog's health. There are several factors, such as age and weight, to consider when choosing a proper diet for your dog. Your veterinarian can help you make the proper
decision.
Switching Diets
The Anti-Cruelty Society provides all new adopters with food that the dog is accustomed to eating, but you may want to change to a different type or brand of food. Anytime you switch your pet's diet,
you should do so gradually. Start with about 25% new food and 75% old food for a few days, then 50/50 for a few days, 75/25 for a few days, and then 100% new diet. Some dogs have more sensitive
stomachs or palates and it may take longer to make the switch. It is critical to make sure your dog continues to eat, so monitor the changes very closely.
Feeding Your Puppy
All puppies adopted from The Anti-Cruelty Society are weaned and are able to eat solid food. We suggest that you feed your puppy a premium-brand food labeled for puppies until the age of one.
Feeding Your Adult Dog
Adult dogs should eat enough of a high-quality, nutritious adult dog food to meet their energy needs and to maintain their optimal weight. The amount you feed your adult dog should be based on his or her size and energy output. Activity levels vary between dogs and will play an important role in determining your dog's suggested caloric intake. A lazy lap dog that mostly sleeps and doesn't get a lot of exercise may require about 10% less food, whereas an active dog that plays all day may require 20 to 40% more food than the average dog. Take a look at your dog's energy level and talk with your veterinarian to determine the right amount to feed and frequency of feeding.
Feeding Your Older Dog
Dogs begin to show visible age-related changes at about seven to twelve years of age. Smaller dogs generally live longer than larger dogs, so size is used to determine when it's time to feed your canine a senior diet. Some age-related changes can be managed with a proper diet. The objectives are to maintain health and ideal body weight, slow or prevent the development of chronic disease, and minimize the clinical signs of disease that may be present.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Dogs at a healthy weight should have an hourglass figure. Obesity is a common problem in dogs; certain breeds of dogs appear more prone to obesity than others, and older dogs are particularly susceptible. An overweight dog has many added stresses to his or her body, including an increased risk of diabetes, liver problems, and joint pain. Most dogs become overweight due to overfeeding
and lack of exercise.
If you feel your dog is overweight, make sure you consult your veterinarian to determine your pet's caloric requirements and exercise abilities before starting on a weight-loss program. Too rapid a weight loss can be detrimental to your dog's health. A healthy and controlled diet and exercise in any form can be one of the easiest ways to keep your dog healthy. And remember, no table scraps-human food is not good for dogs.
- Remove the pet from the room when the family eats
- Feed all meals and treats in the pet's bowl only
- Feed your pet several small meals throughout the day
- Reduce snacks or treats
- Walk and play with your dog
Dog Treats
We love our pets and we love to give them treats. However, treats should be given in moderation. Consider only one or two treats or less per day to keep your dog healthy. Your dog's nutrition should
come from a high-quality dog food, not treats.
Giving Bones to Your Dog
Real bones of all types can be dangerous to your dog. For example,round bones commonly get stuck on the bottom jaw, pork and chicken bones often get lodged in the rectum, rib bones can become stuck in the roof of the mouth, and knuckle bones can be swallowed whole, causing an obstruction in the throat.
