WHAT TO FEED YOUR PET DOG?

       whenever a pet lover or the one who owns a pet approaches me, the first thing they ask  is what to feed a dog and when to feed and how to feed a dog? This is the major question i had came across in my 16 years of professional life . so ,i decided to give some suggestions for them which can help them feed the pet a healthy and balanced food. 
      Dogs are basically carnivorous animals which prefer meat and meat products, however domesticated dogs are adapted to omnivorous feeding habits, and can survive on a vegetarian diet as long as it contains sufficient protein and is supplemented with vitamin D.

    It is important that the diet you feed your dog is complete and balanced in every meal. Every dog’s unique nutritional requirement depends on its size, breed, stages in their life. 

     A better understanding of how dogs use the various nutrients in food and how much of them they need can help you choose a healthier diet for your pet.

      Dogs eat larger , less frequent meals. It is fine to feed an adult dog 1 or 2 times per day. Puppies however need 2 to 3 daily meals.

     Dogs need aminoacids from protein , fatty acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, water to survive.

Here are some guidelines for feeding your dog.

COMMERCIAL DOG FOODS.

          In a variety of forms- dry,semi-moist, canned food. It generally contains much higher levels of animal products. It is necessary to see the pet food labels which contains the list of percentage of protein, fat, fibre, water in the food. Consult your veterinarian and get advice about the breed specific, age specific food for your pet.

 MEAT AND OTHER ANIMAL PRODUCTS.

         It should always make up atleast half of the diet. Meaty bones include chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, pork, venison, ostrich, buffalo etc. Be sure the meat is fresh. Feeding fish is occassionally good but not as a main food. Egg is also nutritious.

DAIRY PRODUCTS.

     Plain yoghurt, curd, is well tolerated by dogs. Cottage and ricotta cheese are also good options. Milk should be avoided.

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS.

      While this is not a significant part of evolutionary diet of the dog and wolf, these provide fibre that supports digestive health and can be used as treats for your pets.

       Vegetables like Pumpkin, carrot, peas, beets, sweet potato, green beans, zucchini, can be steamed, chopped and fed.

        Fruits include berries, melon, papaya, banana, apple are good option.

GRAINS.

      Good choices include oatmeal, brown rice, barley which must be well cooked. Use of rice, wheat, corn should be limited.

       Dogs lack the digestive enzymes to break down carbohydrates. so, it should be restricted to avoid the pets from diseases.

WINTER CARE TIPS FOR DOGS.

       Winter is here and we need to pay close attention to the weather and to our pets. Here are some tips to help ensure your pets safety this winter season. 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR BREEDS SUSCEPTIBILITY TO COLD.    

   Dogs that are great in the cold climate include  Siberian husky, German shepherd, collie, saint Bernard, bull mastiff, Labrador, Golden retriever, chow- chow, Tibetian mastiff etc.

     Dogs that find harder in cold climate include Doberman, Boxer, Grey hound, Beagle, Pointer, Weimaraner, Great dane, Pug, Maltese and other Toy breeds.

PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SHELTER.

       If you have dog which is placed outdoors ensure that it  has a warm place to sleep off the floor.

      You can provide with a dog bed, cushions, blankets, quilt etc and make a warm bedding.

    Clean and change the bedding regularly.

    While taking your dog for a walking it can be provided with dog jackets, snuggies, sweaters, booties etc.

FEEDING.

     Pets who spend most of time outdoors needs more calories of food in winter because keeping warm depletes energy. But don’t overfeed your dog.

     Routinely check your pets water dish to make sure that water is not too cold.

    Talk to your vet doctor about your pets energy needs.

 GROOMING.

     Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as longer coat will provide more warmth.

      If  your dog is long haired , simply trim the hairs but don’t neglect the hairs between the toes.

      Take  out for shorter walks during cold months.

      Bathe your pets as little as possible during winter or use  sprays.

      Consult your vet about the moisturising shampoo for bathing during winter.

      Maintain a good grooming regime, combing out knots & brushing the coat thoroughly.

HEALTH PROBLEMS.

    As with humans dogs can fall ill during colder months.Respiratory infections in damp climates is the principal concern.Frost bite can be a problem for some dogs especially hairless varieties.

  Arthritis ,osteo arthritis, lameness, especially in aged dogs can be aggrevated during cold months.

   Exposure to winter can cause itchy, flaking skin, cracks in the paw pads, redness between the toes and fleas infestation.

    Consult your veterinarian for proper medication if you came across any of the illness during winter.

    Paying special attention to your dogs wellbeing during winter season will ensure you both enjoy the winter to its fullest.

                                                                          

FACTS ABOUT DOGS

• Dogs  was one of the first animals to be domesticated by humans.
• All dogs are direct descendants of wolves.
• An adult dog has 42 teeth.
• Dogs sweat through the pads on their feet. The only way they discharge heat is by panting.
• Dogs do not have many taste buds as humans, but have over 200 million scent receptors in their noses
• Dogs see colours but not as vivid as humans.
• When a puppy is born, it is blind, deaf and toothless.
• Dogs do not have an appendix.
• With the help of their swivelling ears they can locate the source of sound in 6/100 th of a second. They can detect sounds in the frequency of app. 67 to 45,000 Hz.
• Dog whiskers found on the muzzle, above the eyes and below the jaws are called vibrissae, which  are touch sensitive hairs that can sense minute changes in the airflow.
• All breeds of dogs have pink tongue except chowchow and sharpei which have black tongue.
• Basenji is the barkless dog in the world.
• Greyhounds can reach a speed of upto 45 miles per hour.
• Irish wolf hound is the tallest breed and Chihuahua is the smallest breed.
• The world’s oldest breed of domesticated dog is the saluki, believed to have emerged in 329 BC, revered in ancient Egypt , being kept as royal pets and mummified after death.
• Other ancient breeds are Alaskan malamute, akita, basenji, afghan hound, chowchow, tibetian terrier, Lhasa apso, shiba inu ,Pekingese etc.