What to do for a proper nutrition of dogs? The most common sins with regard to nutrition

“You look so sad, you’re definitely hungry, here you are.” This is the sentence I often hear when my dog shows one of its dog faces. And he deserves “little something to eat” doing it before I even manage to do anything against that. To feed a dog resting at a table or to feed it with human food are not the only sins we should avoid in the context of dog nutrition. What are the others and why should we avoid them?

It was once completely normal to feed the dog with leftovers. The dog wasn’t even considered a pet. But as its social role evolved and doggies became equal members of many households, the approach to their proper nutrition have changed. I tried to write down eight most common mistakes dog owners still unconsciously make and vets and nutrition specialists both here in the Czech Republic and in the world warn us about. Besides others, it is because of the ongoing trend of increasing obesity of dogs.

#1 Unbalanced diet

If you wish to provide your dog a full-value nutrition, I recommend you to look for the so-called holistic dog food. Some dry dog food may not contain everything a dog organism needs for a healthy development. Holistic, or in other words complex, dog food should fully replace the natural diet of a dog. One of the variants is the so-called hypoallergenic dog food which does not contain gluten.

#2 Too many rewards

Rewards are an inseparable part of a dog’s upbringing. But there shouldn’t be too many treats and their caloric value shouldn’t exceed more than 10 % of the daily caloric intake. And we should also pay attention to the quality of the treats. Your pack of treats definitely shouldn’t be full of sponge biscuits your dog likes but which also contain a lot of sugar. Dried meat may be the perfect option.

#3 Overfeeding

To be sure you don’t overfeed your dog, put a proper portion of one food ration in a cup. And make a mark on the container using a marker. You will find the recommended daily amounts on each package of the dog food. If you feel your dog’s losing weight, do not only start to give it more dry dog food. The problem may have a different cause and you risk your dog’s obesity. It can be caused for example by an increased energy expenditure. A vet can recommend switching to high-energy dog food in such cases.

#4 Dog food not considering the age of dog

For dog nutrition, we should also take into account the dog’s life stage and physical condition. We should adjust the diets of our dogs as well as we adjust our own diet during our lives. There are many types of dog food which are not only adjusted for puppies who need a completely different composition in first few months of their lives than an adult dog or a senior dog. When selecting the right dog food, check that it corresponds to the age of your dog as well as to its size

#5 Feeding with human food

Sometimes, we may want to give our dogs more. If you give it a few slices of a cucumber or a carrot, you will definitely do no harm. Our doggie loves a teaspoon of a quart treat from time to time. If you cook for your dog, it should be according to your vet’s instructions, e.g. rice with carrot for a reduction diet, and it should not replace normal dog food. And it can happen that your dog refuses to eat anything else. Definitely avoid anything dangerous for your dog, e.g. chocolate and citruses.

#6 A bowl which is always full

Some may feel that if a dog has enough dry dog food in its bowl all the time, it will give up begging. I heard some dog owners practice the so-called free-feeding also to make their dogs stop gulping. But a dog doesn’t count how much it ate, and this way, you also lose control of that. The whole routine of feeding is also an important part of dog’s upbringing. It’s not only about the health of your dog but also about strengthening of your mutual relationship. Your dog should eat only after you finished your meal yourself and not dive into the bowl until you give the right command (e.g. “come eat”).

#7 A sudden change of dog food

If you suddenly change the food for your dog, e.g. because the one it was used to is no longer available, it can cause your dog digestive problems. The best way to prepare your dog for this change is a gradual mixing of both types of dog food with increasing ratio of the new one. Observe your dog’s reaction to this change. By this, you’re giving your dog enough time to get used to new food. And you may see if the food is not good for your dog and you need to find another.

#8 Feeding before walks

You shouldn’t definitely overfeed your dog before going for a walk. It increases the risk of stomach torsion which often leads to the death of animal. Your dog shouldn’t go for a walk with an empty stomach either. If it’s hungry you can give it a handful amount of dry dog food. But it shouldn’t become a habit. You should feed your dog regularly and in a perfect case, at the same time every day. Do not give food to your four-legged sidekick immediately after a walk, wait until your dog’s organism rests a little. Its stomach could be irritated and it could throw up the food.

If you are not sure about how to feed your dog, for example if you can give it a bone because you heard cooked bones may be dangerous for dogs and have a negative impact on digestion, always consult your vet. First-time dog owners should get advice from a breeder about dog food he/she finds good and what the nutrition needs of the parents of their new doggie are at least for the start. You can also search the Internet to get tips and advice from vet associations and organizations.