▷ Correct dog nutrition: what to give and what not to give?

All dog owners want a healthy, happy and energetic pet. In addition to daily maintenance, vaccinations, deworming and training, the dog’s nutrition is also very important. Correct dog nutrition can guarantee a quality and long life for the puppy.

How is dog nutrition classified in the veterinary world?

The dog’s diet is a complete dry food
Dog nutrition – BARF, during which the animal receives the necessary nutrients not only from meat, but also from vegetables, berries and fruits
Raw meat for dog food – RAW

When choosing the most suitable nutritional principle for your dog, it is very important to follow the recommended doses so that the animal receives all the necessary nutrients. As in human nutrition, the balance between quantity of food, age and physical activity is also very important in dog nutrition.

It is also very important to ensure that the animal has the right amount of clean water and that the feed received is suitable for consumption (not spoiled).

Dry dog food

When choosing dry dog food it is very important to pay attention to its composition. The majority of the feed composition must be meat and must be listed as the first number in the feed composition.

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Some of the most famous dry fodder producers divide fodder into three classes:

economy
prize
super prize

Feeds of different classes indicate the ratio of meat to grains and other additives. The higher the meat content in the dry feed, the higher the quality of the feed. It is better to choose a super premium or premium class feed. Super Premium class dog food contains at least 50% meat.

When choosing a dry food diet for your pet, it is also important to pay attention to the type of meat from which the feed is made. This is especially important if your pet is allergic to certain meat proteins.

When and how to train dogs to dry food?

It is recommended to introduce puppies to dry food from six to eight weeks of age. Proper dog nutrition will ensure normal and healthy development of the animal.

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Puppies should be trained on «puppy» food, then from the age of 8-12 weeks the puppy should be trained on «junior» food and from one year old the dog should be fed with «adult» food intended for adult dogs.

All daily rates for dog feeding are indicated on each package of food based on the weight of an adult dog.

Most veterinary diets, also known as medicated dog foods, are in the form of dry food. However, it is very important to know that all medicated feed is produced according to special technologies, during which meat proteins are broken down into small amino acids, so as not to cause allergies.

BARF food for dogs

Although the dog is a carnivorous predator by nature, analyzing the diet of wolves living in the wild, scientists have repeatedly emphasized that wolves love to eat various berries, grasses and other vegetation.

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According to the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) principle of dog nutrition, the diet does not only include raw meat, but also vegetables, berries and fruit. During the BARF diet, the dog receives a lot of proteins and other nutrients from meat, vegetables, berries and fruits, in addition, the dog receives substances useful for the immune system, which are not available in any other source of nutrition.

Furthermore, plant-based foods supplement dogs’ nutrition with antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamins C and B and other vitamins that are very important for the body.

Leafy green vegetables (again, spinach is a great substitute) are rich in magnesium, which is often lacking in a RAW diet. Another very important nutritional benefit of BARF is that vegetables and berries help maintain the right balance between acidity and alkalinity.

BARF dog food manufacturers indicate the daily rate on the packaging, just like kibble manufacturers, based on the age, weight and activity of the dog. To ensure the happiness and health of the animal, it is very important to follow the recommended doses to avoid nutritional deficiencies and excesses.

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BARF dog food: bowls filled with meat, vegetables and eggs

Raw dog food

RAW food for dogs takes our four-legged friends back to the times of their ancestors, when attempts were made to replicate the diet of wolves in the wild. The principles of RAW nutrition are to feed the dog with meat and its offal. However, this principle of nutrition from a veterinary point of view is often wrong, especially when such nutrition is prepared by non-RAW nutritionists.

When feeding a pet with RAW food, the meat is not cut – conditions are created so that the dog can eat as naturally as possible, chew, gnaw, etc., which is very beneficial for the dog’s teeth.

The biggest disadvantage of feeding your dog raw – «meat syndrome» (lack of calcium). Therefore, it is very important to note that this type of diet should consist of 80%. meat (including some offal such as heart), 10% organs (offal, half of which is liver), 10%. mineral powder and sometimes eggs.

When choosing the principle of RAW nutrition for dogs, it is also very important to guarantee the amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and micro and macro elements in the daily routine. Veterinarians advise owners who have chosen this nutritional principle to carry out an annual health check of their pet and blood tests to check whether the animal’s nutrition is complete.

Products and related accessories that cannot be administered to dogs

1. Alcohol

2. Avocado

3. Raisins and grapes

4. Chocolate

5. Caffeine

6. Sugar and xylitol

7. Salt

8. Yeast

9. Coconut

10. Macadamia nuts

11. Citrus fruits

12. Garlic and onion

13. Full-fat dairy products

14. Bones

The biggest mistakes in dog feeding

Improper ratio of calcium and phosphorus in the diet, which disrupts bone development;
The treats and food that the dog receives from the table are too salty and too fatty;
General and long-term deficiency of minerals and vitamins.

Many owners don’t realize that the digestive tracts of dogs and humans are different and what works for humans may not be suitable or even poisonous for dogs. Different ways of feeding dogs are selected individually, taking into account the dog’s allergies and the sensitivity of the digestive tract.

Can you give bones to dogs?

It’s always a hotly debated topic, can you give bones to dogs? Many veterinarians and gastroenterologists have a common opinion. They do not recommend bones for dogs and even give several reasons why.

Raw meat bones are not very nutritious. Bone splinters from raw meat can injure not only the mouth, but also the entire digestive tract. Bones can also get stuck in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines.

Often, failed bone grafts in dogs end up in the veterinary clinic’s operating room when a surgical procedure is attempted to remove the stuck bone.

Is it possible to give cottage cheese to a dog?

Dairy products usually cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs due to the lactose they contain. Veterinarians recommend avoiding products rich in lactose in the animal’s diet and preferring fermented milk products, as they often contain less lactose.

Cottage cheese can be fed to dogs. You can also give kefir, natural yogurt to dogs. It is very important that these products are free of added sugars or other additives.

Veterinarians recommend avoiding high-fat dairy products in your dog’s diet. Fatty foods can cause liver and pancreatic problems in dogs of all ages. By choosing low-fat, additive-free dairy products for dogs, you will increase the amount of protein in your pet’s diet and provide natural good bacteria for the gut.

When to consult a vet about dog nutrition?

The veterinary clinic in Vilnius Begemot and its staff remind you that if you have a question about your dog’s diet or if you see that your dog has eaten a small amount of food that is useless or poisonous for him, you should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Behemoth Veterinary Medical Center uses all the most innovative and modern poisoning treatment methods to ensure the easiest and fastest possible recovery for your pet’s condition.

Correct dog nutrition: what to give and what not to give?

How is dog nutrition classified in the veterinary world?