Posted Mar 21, 2009
Just like humans, it is unhealthy for a dog to be overweight. The American Kennel Club warns that excess weight endangers the heart, lungs and joints and makes a dog more susceptible to other ailments. Here are a few feeding rules every dog owner should keep in mind.
– Keep in mind the three stages of development when preparing a diet and exercise plan for your dog: puppies eat more and are highly active, adult dogs have normal routines and food intake, and older dogs might require special diets and limited exercise.
– Set Regular Mealtimes. An irregular eating schedule can affect your dog’s digestive system and ultimately cause chronic digestive disorders. Digestive problems can usually be improved by a change in diet.
– Dogs don’t easily adjust to a time zone change or to daylight savings time. To prepare your dog for a time change, gradually adjust her eating schedule over a few weeks.
– It is important that your dog’s water and food bowls are kept in the same place every day. If you have more than one dog, make sure each dog has its own food and water bowl.
– Don’t worry about your dog getting hungry pangs between meals. Your dog only needs one or two meals daily, if it is fed on a regimented schedule and receives a balanced diet.
– Set a 30 minute rule. If your dog has walked away from its bowl, it has probably had enough to eat. Discard the remaining food, since exposed dog food is unsanitary.
– Resist giving your dog people food. A begging pooch can be hard to resist, but your dog doesn’t know how dangerous the mal you’re eating can be. Grapes, raisins, chocolate, onions are among some of the foods that can be toxic to your dog in large enough quantities. Sometimes excessive fat in meats or diary products can cause digestive distress.
– Don’t over-treat or over-supplement your dog. Too many treats will lead to unhealthy excess pounds. Too many vitamins can also have unintended consequences. Ask your vet about whether your dog needs any extras before starting it on a regimen of supplements.
A veterinarian should always be consulted to discuss the appropriate diet and fitness plan for your dog.
Date: Mar 18, 2009
Additional tips can be found on the American Kennel Club Web site at www.akc.org.
© 2009, The American Kennel Club, Inc., www.akc.org
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