When you see the ‘Puppies for Sale’ sign in your local pet shop it is important that you know how to care for the animal and diet is essential for the well-being of your dog. An increasing number of pets for sale have been brought up on a poor diet and when you purchase a pet you must know about their dietary requirements in order to help them back to health. This post focuses specifically on dogs but the main point of the piece is that all pet owners must do their research before taking ownership of a pet.
It has recently been reported that the obesity levels of dogs in the UK has reached epidemic proportions. It seems that Britons are feeding their pets an atrocious diet of junk food. Fatty foods, such as cheese, chips and crisps, are being given to dogs as treats but they are creating severe health problems in our Dogs. Pets are increasingly suffering from diseases associated with obesity in humans. Malaise, asthma, diabetes and heart disease are becoming more and more common amongst our household pets. Some owners are even feeding dogs chocolate, which can cause fatal heart attacks for our canine brothers.
There have been recent calls for pet owners who over-feed their pets to be prosecuted under the Cruelty to Animals Act (1876). Like humans, good health is the result of a balanced diet. Here are some tips when considering your dog’s diet.
Milk is a fantastic source of Calcium but beware. A dog only needs a moderate amount of milk and therefore milk should never substitute water in a dog’s diet as this may cause severe diarrhoea. Puppies and pregnant dogs do need extra calcium in their diet but this can be added to their diet by other foods such as, green vegetables and fish. If you do give your dog fish make sure that it is cooked thoroughly as the consumption of raw fish has been attributed to vitamin deficiencies in dogs. A further result is possible abnormal posture, loss of appetite, weakness, and even seizure.
The protein content that is recommended for dogs is 20-30 percent. You should include protein-rich foods such as Chicken, Lamb, and Salmon. Dog’s also need fats and oils in their diet for taste and for digestive reasons. Egg’s are also an excellent source of protein but any foods which contain raw eggs should be avoided as this may lead to Dermatitis, loss of hair and poor growth in your pet.
Carbohydrates are also important to provide energy and fibre to improve the digestive capacity of the dog.
Dogs, like humans, should be fed at scheduled times at regular intervals. If you do give your dog treats be careful. Keep a check on what treats you are giving your dog and adjust their ‘standard’ diet accordingly. Don’t feed your dog table scraps, as it will result in the dog developing the bad habit of begging. Remember a Dog is smaller than a human. One chip is the equivalent of a whole portion of chips.
Pet shop dog-food is an easy way to provide your dog with the nutrients that it requires, but be sure to buy high-quality dog food that is appropriate for your dog’s weight, breed and age.
This advice is not all-encompassing but it provides a good framework for ensuring that your dog is receiving its essential nutrients without becoming obese. The important message is that, like humans, Dogs need a balanced diet in order to lead happy healthy lives but always remember that dogs are not humans and react differently to certain foods.
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February 10th, 2010 at 3:06 am
Thanks for the nice post. I totally agree that dogs should be fed at regular intervals so that they can digest their food well.