Feeding
Found [135] Articles :: Page 7 of 9
Digg this article
The Laekenois is well known for being an alert and vigilant breed. It is also widely known that observant behavior and attentiveness is a distinct sign of intelligence. Without these traits, the breed would have never earned their highly regarded reputation in herding circles. Sensing changes in an environment and moving to meet them requires that dogs apply their most critical skills and instincts. The Laekenois was able to develop and exercise these skills by reading the movements of animals in a herd. The Laekenois also has the tenacity and courage to accept almost any challenge that comes along. This is a common trait in dogs that have a good sense of self. [...]
Digg this article
Caring for your Tibetan Terrier is important and his diet is one of the most important ways for you to do this. This dog is highly intelligent so you may have a picky eater if the quality of the food is not good enough, yet they are not overly picky eaters. In addition, he is a very active, high energy dog. This means that he needs a quality diet that is going to provide the nutrition that he needs. You do not have to overspend when feeding the dog, but you should ensure quality ingredients are in his diet.
Every breed of dog has its own history and therefore his own requirement for his diet. With the Tibetan Terrier, it will be important to pay close attention to the following things. [...]
Digg this article
Looking at the Great Pyrenees, it would be easy to assume that feeding such a good sized dog would require several extra large bags of dog food per month. In reality, when it comes to food the Great Pyrenees requires the least of any large breed dog. A number of owners insist that a Pyr eats no more than an average sized Golden Retriever. This is commonly credited to not only a calm temperament but a metabolism that runs efficiently on fewer calories. However, it should be noted that the Pyr is one whose diet should include vitamins and minerals that offer coat support.
Although there is a debate over which is better, feeding a mixture of canned and dry dog food can work just fine for the Great Pyrenees. As many owners have come to find, a Pyr may need less calories but those calories should still be of high quality. Empty calories can leave a dog feeling hungry, leading them to exhibit destructive behaviors such as chewing or barking. [...]
Digg this article
As with any type of pet, there are costs associated with owning a dog. Not surprisingly, the cost of owing a larger dog is higher than the cost of owning a small breed, simply because the larger the dog, the more food they will typically consume. Regardless of size, the basic costs will be the same with regards to spaying and neutering, providing play things, bedding, housing as well as training and routine health issues. In addition, many owners now choose pet insurance, which is an excellent way to reduce vet bills by purchasing a small monthly or yearly insurance policy for your dog. [...]
Digg this article
Getting a new puppy is an interesting time for everyone, and although looking after him or her requires a little bit of work, it is a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. When most people bring a new puppy home, it is already weaned. For those that have a new littler of puppies or one not already weaned, it is important to know the basics. Most people are unsure of what to do when getting ready to wean the puppies. Weaning refers to gradually replacing the mother's milk or formula, by substituting it with solid food. Although this may seem a little confusing at first, weaning puppies is very natural. Usually, between seven and eight weeks of age, the puppies go with their new owners to a new home. Since they will leave their mother behind, puppies' gastrointestinal tracts need to be accustomed to eating solid, commercially prepared food. [...]
Digg this article
Depending on the age, size and type of dog that you have as well as the amount of physical exercise and overall health condition of the pet, different foods may be more or less beneficial. It is important to carefully monitor the quality of food that you buy for your pet as well as how the pet responds to the food, no matter what type you select. Often the highest priced foods are not nutritionally better than the more mid-range priced dog foods however the very low priced foods are typically of poor quality and not nutritionally or economically a good deal. The reason that lower priced foods are not a good nutritional choice is simply because they are made from the cheapest ingredients. These are a lot of by-products and fillers, neither which contribute nutritionally to the dog. The reason they are not a better price in the long run is also due to the filler used in the food. This bulking agent expands in the dog's digestive tract, resulting in more elimination of waste, noticeable at yard clean-up time. [...]
Digg this article
The BARF diet for dogs and cats has been around for a long time however it has recently become more common worldwide as a feeding option. The word BARF is actually an acronym for bones and raw food or alternatively the biologically appropriate raw food diet, depending on where you are located. The BARF diet is an attempt to mimic, as much as possible, the diet that the dog would eat in a natural, wild state. Of course there are limitations on how exact this diet can be, especially on how much the owner is able to pay for the various ingredients in the diet and how accessible these products are. There are a great number of breeders that use the BARF diet exclusively and some sales contracts for puppies require the new owners to also feed the BARF diet to avoid voiding the sales agreement. New owners should understand the BARF diet and determine if they are comfortable with this feeding option before deciding if this is the right puppy or dog for their household. [...]
Digg this article
It is important to shop around and to find the right type of food for your dog, plus most people also have to keep cost in mind. Getting the best possible dog food for your money doesn't always mean buying the most expensive type of dog food. This is true regardless if you are buying kibble, canned or semi-moist. All dog food will typically meet the guidelines of two different agencies in the United States, the Center for Veterinary Medicine of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that is federal regulations and the state based regulations that fall under the Association of American Feed Control Officials guidelines. All pet food producers must follow the FDA rules and in most states the AAFCO rules must also be followed with regards to labeling and identifying the ingredients in the dog food. Other countries will also have similar agencies, usually federal, that monitor the labeling and ingredients that can or cannot be included in dog food. [...]
Digg this article
Other than the BARF diet or bones and raw foods diet, there are options for dog owners that want to take careful care of ensuring that their pet gets a balanced diet. Often dog owners of pets with severe food allergies, diabetes or digestive problems find that is it too expensive or cost prohibitive to buy the specialty diets and food items on the market so they choose to make their own at home.
Making your own dog food at home really isn't all that difficult and can be a great activity for the whole family. Kids can get involved in measuring, mixing and even helping with the baking and cooking if they are old enough. Home made dog food can be cost saving especially if you have your own garden and are able to by the other ingredients in bulk lots as many stores now offer. [...]
Digg this article
Have you ever stopped to actually read all the ingredients on the side of the bag of dog food? Do you find yourself wondering exactly what some of those things are? If you do, you are not alone. The wording on the ingredients list on dog food cans, bags and pouches is confusing and many people have a lot of misunderstandings about what they are actually feeding their dogs, it may not be anything like what they think they are.
It is important to keep in mind that dogs, unlike cats, are not just carnivores. Dogs are actually omnivores, which means they need to eat a variety of food types including meats, fruits, vegetables and even grains. All of these foods are digestible and necessary for the health of the dog, although not all forms of these foods are equal. [...]
Digg this article
There are almost as many specialized diet dog food products on the market as there are typical dog food diets. Usually these specialized diets are only found in the dry kibble and canned foods, however there may be some found as frozen products as well as in the semi-moist formulations. These specialized foods are usually for dogs at different ages and stages of growth as well as for dogs with dietary restrictions or requirements due to health or allergic problems that the dog is experiencing.
The specialized diets, like human diets, will work well with some dogs and not as well with others. Often a bit of shopping around and a lot of research is required to ensure that you find the right diet to match the issue you are wishing to address with your dog. Carefully read the label including the ingredients and guaranteed analysis to verify what the label is indicating is actually what is contained within the feed it the correct ratio for your pet. A vet or animal nutritionalists can often recommend a few different brands that may work for your dog, plus they can also advise on types or ingredients to avoid in specialized diets. [...]
Digg this article
Making your own dog treats is simple, fun and easy to do with just a small amount of equipment and a few basic ingredients. Many of the commercially available dog treats are full of added sugars, salt, preservatives and artificial flavors and making healthy, wholesome dog treats at home can ensure that your dog is eating healthy and avoiding foods that may lead to obesity and other digestive and health related problems.
There are some very simple ways to make dog snacks or treats that are ideal for training rewards. One of the easiest ways is to purchase a package of all beef, low sodium or no salt added hot dogs. Cut the hot dogs cross wise into small, thin circles, then microwave for a few seconds until the fat and moisture are removed, leaving you with dry, crispy, healthy dog treats. These treats can be stored for several days in an airtight container such as a freezer bag. If they are not stored in an airtight container they should be discarded after the first day to avoid any possible bacterial contamination. [...]
Digg this article
Caring for a dog's teeth is a routine that many breeders have used for years, but that is just now becoming common with dog owners. Just like people, different dogs and different breeds of dog will have stronger and healthier teeth than others. In addition some foods, especially soft foods such as canned and semi-moist foods may not provide the scraping action needed to remove tartar and plaque from the teeth, resulting in poor dental conditions that can result in early tooth loss, problems with infections in the mouth, gum disease and even digestive disorders. [...]
Digg this article
Dogs, like people, can have sensitive stomachs that are easily upset or they can literally be able to eat anything without having any troubles at all. Some breeds are known for having problems with digestion and if you have a dog that does seem to be very sensitive to changes in foods or with problems with vomiting or diarrhea it is important to talk to your vet immediately to determine if this is just a simple food related problem or if it may be the signs of problems such as worms or more serious health conditions.
Most puppies and dogs will have some problems when types, amounts and even brands of foods are being changed or adjusted. Typically these conditions include food refusal, diarrhea and excessive flatulence. While unpleasant, there is little that can be done to correct these issues until the dog's digestive system has adjusted to the new food, which can take as little as two or three days or as long as a week or more. One way to minimize the chance of these conditions occurring is to very gradually change foods, rather than just suddenly feeding a new food or brand. [...]
Digg this article
Many dogs are in great shape, they are athletic, healthy and within the weight range recommended for the breed. There are many dogs, however, that are simply obese based on both their individual size as well as their ability to be athletic and active. Obesity in dogs is more common than most owners think, and is not usually due to how much the dog is eating at meals, but rather due to the amount of human food, table scraps and even treats that the dog is receiving between meals or on top of the dog food they are eating.
A good rule of thumb is that treats and snacks, designed specifically for dogs, should only make up 5% of the total daily food intake for the dog. This five percent should also be subtracted from the total food amount for day, so the total food amount stays the same, it is just spread out more. Obese dogs are often fed 10-20% of their daily food intake amount in high caloric treats that contain sugar, lots of carbohydrates in various forms, and very low fiber. In addition these dogs then receive 100% of their food ration at meals, and often some table scraps added in for an extra treat. [...]
|
Feeding
Comments
Email to a Friend