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.
Choosing the right dog food is a beginning and the end of caring for your pet dog. We, as dog lovers, also know that quality dog food is not only positive for the health but also for the overall well-being of the animal. When choosing the dog food,...
Do you have any favourite books you would recommend your friends to read? Are any books about pets among those? Today, I will share with you the names of six books about dogs any animal lover shouldn’t miss in my opinion.
Who didn’t want an animal companion as a child? Keeping pets can be valuable experience for children. An animal companion also brings a lot of joy to the household. But taking care of a pet also brings many duties and responsibility. How to choose...
“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...
Do you like travelling? And do you like travelling by plane? You don’t have to leave your dog or cat at home during your holidays. Some airlines allow small pets on the board if they are in a crate. What other conditions you have to meet?
We, as cat lovers, can’t get enough of cats and that’s why we also like to read books about them. Look at some of them you shouldn’t really miss.
Miniature dog breeds have specific requirements for nutrition and care in general. Their physical development is much faster. Besides from their subtle composition of body and jaws, it is therefore also necessary to take into account their fast...
It would probably entirely unnecessary to describe the appearance of the German Shepherd. Probably everyone, even non-dog-lovers, have seen the German series Inspector Rex.
Getting a cat doesn’t mean only buying a cat toilet, bowls, a bed and a couple of toys. You also have to realise that the animal will also need certain care and count with this already before getting it. Each breed has its own specifics. While some are...
The Persian longhairs have most likely descended from the Turkish Angoras, were bred in England at the end of the 19th century. Since then, they have undergone great changes, and today they have a much more compact body in comparison to the original...
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a dog, with which you will definitely won’t get bored. The owners say that it’s often a great adventure with them. They are mesmerising animals and they definitely can’t deny their wolf ancestors. What is typical for all...
Do you take your dog or cat regularly on trips and holidays across the Czech Republic? Is travelling with your dog or cat fun for you and not a horror? Have you got a destination in mind, where you’d like to stay for longer or you’re even planning a...
