Dog Feeding

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

The feeding hour is undoubtedly the most enjoyable and one of the most important moments in a dog's life. A dog's nutrition, or rather its diet, has been the subject of many scientific studies in recent decades, mainly due to the fact that the dog has become an object of commerce. This area of cynology has advanced significantly, and specialists related to it have come to more or less the same conclusions.

As in humans, malnutrition leads to various diseases in the dog, mainly caused by overfeeding, imbalanced diet and improper preparation for feeding.

In the course of long-term domestication, radical changes have occurred in the dog's body, and it would be wrong to give him the opportunity to choose food on her own, relying on her instinct. Thus, if you want your dog to reach old age in full health, it must be properly fed.

Basic feeding rules. A dog is primarily a predator, and the basis of its diet, that is, approximately 40-50% of all food, depending on breed, age and activity, should be meat.

There is no typical, or ideal, feeding regime. You can identify more useful and recommended foods, but at the same time take into account that each dog has its own individual habits and tastes.

In general, it can be said that young dogs are fed, as a rule, a little more, and adults are slightly underfed, in order to prevent the underdevelopment of the former and obesity of the latter.

The frequency of feeding is set depending on the age of the dog. Feeding an adult dog too often usually leads to various diseases or disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

Regular feeding is absolutely essential. This rule is often neglected, although it is just as important as the feed volume. A dog that is fed at a strictly designated time has a good appetite and absorbs nutrients better.

Try not to give the dog bones (why - this will be discussed below).

The dog needs to be walked well before feeding. Digestion takes at least six to seven hours, and during this period, the dog should not be tired or physically challenged.

It is especially important from a very young age not to give your dog anything between feeds. Take the will and adhere to this rule. Sweets, chocolate, biscuits and other "treats" stress the dog's digestive system without any benefit to the dog.

The dog's body needs for food. A dog, like all mammals, must receive with food those substances that are necessary for its growth, development and maintenance of life. These include: water, the content of which is not the same in different feeds (for example, fresh lean meat contains about 55% water); proteins rich in nitrogen compounds, which are part of animal products, primarily meat; carbohydrates, which the dog receives mainly in the form of sugars and starch, and fats, which perform an energetic function in the dog's diet. In terms of the content of minerals, the food must fully satisfy the dog's need for them. In terms of the dry matter of the feed, table salt should be 2%, phosphorus - 1, calcium - 1 and magnesium - 0.5%.