Allegedly, fast is instinctively practised by both wolfs and wild dogs. This has led many people to that assumption, that our dog on the couch should, once in a while, be fasting as well. A wild animal surely knows what it is doing, nature is wise, you would think. But is it true? Will it benefit the health of your dog, or rather harm it?
That wolfs and wild dogs don’t eat for a day or two is determined by the fact, that they are not successful in catching something every day. And not that it is necessary. Since when they get to their prey, they stuff their belly full and it takes them even several days to get hungry. Fort this time, they don’t feel the need to eat. People often mistake the process of digesting for a fast. But our dog at home gets a regular and adequate dose of food. So there’s no reason to deny it to them for one day.
Nobody is hungry voluntarily, an animal is refraining from food only due to a compulsion in case the hunt hasn’t been successful or when it’s ill. Such situation can therefore arise on one hand due to the inability to procure food, on the other because of lack of appetite caused by a disease.
Wild animal needs plenty of energy for the preservation of its kind, so it isn’t logical for it to fast on purpose. On the contrary, in the period from summer to autumn, it stuffs itself with anything it can find, so that it has enough subcutaneous fat reserve to weather the winter. Moreover, a predator weakened by hunger will not hunt much. If you start with a fast, for example, with a puppy, you will deprive it of the much needed energy for a healthy growth and for the growth of new teeth. In older dogs, diabetics, lactating or gravid female dogs, this for sure won’t help with their fitness.
And you say that the dog will not gain weight, if they fast one day a week? Well, whether you feed it with granules, BARF or you cook for it, you will modify the dose in such way, so that it is proportionate to its size, activity and form. The necessity of one day a week without food is not based on any veterinary or nutritional research. To the contrary: from health point of view, dog should get food every day at regular times and not even the content of it should change radically. Therefore, if you, for example, feed your dog with a single type of granules, it is not suitable to exchange them for a different type from day to day.
Therefore, if you’re thinking about starting a fast with your dog, first consult your veterinary and take a listen to an expert opinion on this issue.
When we have to spend most of our time at home, we as well as are pets may be easily bored. How can you avoid stereotype and use free time effectively by working with your companion? How can you tire your dog even without long walks outside?
Staying home because of quarantine means a lifestyle change. There is much more time for hobbies, we finish things we didn’t have time for before – however, it all happens in a limited space. We spent a lot of time with our dogs and we get to learn...
The spring is here, so it’s also time to support immunity and focus on body detoxification. In winter, most toxins accumulate in our body and the weather change is also a burden. What should you do in order not to burden the dog’s immunity and to...
In the USA and some European countries, you can register a dog, a cat or any other pet as an emotional support animal. A registered pet than has some advantages over regular pets. However, it isn’t an assistance dog.
Sometimes you encounter a story of a stray dog that joins people during their greater or smaller adventures. Mera had quite an enviable adventure. Moreover, she has become the first dog that ascended a 7,000 metre high mountain. So, it means she has...
Cats are often said to be very empathetic and some believe they can sense how people feel or if they’re suffering from any pain. It’s clear that living with them improves the quality of our lives as well as our health. However, can our cat companions...
Hoopers is a relatively new canine sport. Therefore, you might have never heard about it. Obstacles are designed with minimum requirements for the musculoskeletal system of both the dog and its handler. So, it’s also good for older four-legged pets as...
It’s clear you need to take care of white hair so it doesn’t turn yellow or brown. But have you ever wondered that it might be possible to help the white hair to shine with food and food supplements?
The European Shorthair looks like a common cat and its nature is not as stable as other breeds’. That’s why it’s not extremely famous in the world except for Scandinavia, where it’s still quite popular.
This always active and playful companion is the oldest dog breed in central Europe. Its ancestors include even the dogs from the Stone Age. It is an extraordinary learner and a great watchdog. Its characteristic feature is very rich hair, sticking up...