Friday, April 24, 2009
Food and nutrition
Reading dog food labels is something of an exercise in futility unless you know the arcane rules governing what they can say, but here are a few guidelines.
- Ingredients must be listed by amount in descending order. So if meat is the first ingredient (the ideal to strive for), technically the food contains more of that ingredient--chicken, say--than any other ingredient. In reality, chicken is a heavy ingredient because it contains a lot of water, so it's easy for manufacturers to manipulate the label by listing chicken first and following it with various grains, such as wheat meal, wheat middlings, wheat flour, and so on. It's all wheat, though, and if you were to put it on a scale with the chicken, it would probably outweigh the fowl.
- The first ingredient on the label should always be meat with a name--such as chicken, lamb, or beef--as opposed to the generic "meat," which could be anything.
- A food should have more meat protein than grain protein. Unfortunately there's really no way to tell that from the label.
- One or more types of meat, or high-quality dairy products such as eggs, should be listed among the first three to five ingredients. If the first ingredient is a meat, followed by only grains, or if the first ingredient is a grain, check some other brands before buying.
- Marketing terms such as natural or premium have no official legal definition. If you want to know what the manufacturer means by "human-grade ingredients" or "70-percent organic," give the company a call and get some answers. Every can or bag of dog food must list contact information for the manufacturer on the label.
How much to feed your dog
How much your dog eats depends on a number of factors, including age, bone structure, and energy level, as well as the quality of the food you give him.
More important than the amount of food your dog gets is his overall condition. He should look muscular, not fat. If you're unsure whether he's overweight, give him the eye exam and the hands-on test. First, look down at him: he should have a visible waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine and fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs. If you can't feel the last two ribs, he needs less food and more exercise. If you can see his ribs, feed him more.
Keep in mind:
- Your dog will need less food if it's high-quality and contains top-notch ingredients, so don't think you're saving money by buying the cheapest brand or whatever's on sale. That's because foods with high-quality protein are more digestible--that is, your dog can use more of the nutrients they contain--than foods based on grains. You can see the difference in smaller, firmer stools.
- Measure his food and feed him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. Take away whatever's left in his bowl if he hasn't finished it in 20 minutes, and you'll help keep obesity at bay. Giving him plenty of daily exercise should do the rest.
Food facts
- Give your dog healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables: apple slices, carrot sticks, orange segments, banana slices, and frozen vegetables are all canine favorites.
- It's okay to give your dog a little bite of what you had for dinner, but only the bits you'd eat yourself--no fat or gristle, please!
- Some foods aren't good for dogs and can cause serious health problems. These include chocolate, onions, raisins, and grapes.
- Feed your dog at the same time every day.
- Always feed your dog in his bowl or you're asking for a lifetime of your best friend begging at the table and following you around the kitchen.
- Make sure what you buy is high in protein, not grain-based, and that it's AAFCO-tested. The AAFCO, the American Association of Feed Control Officials, is a watchdog group that sets food-testing and labeling standards.
Choosing the right dog !!!!
Size
You may already know you want a little lap dog that you can carry around. Or, you might have your heart set on a large or giant dog breed. If you cannot decide, then perhaps a medium sized dog is a good choice.Remember that small dogs tend to be delicate and vulnerable. Being stepped on or mishandled can cause serious injury. Also, little dogs can be much more sensitive to colder temperatures, so be ready to help keep them warm. Don’t forget that small dogs need obedience training too! Some little dogs can develop “tough dog” attitudes, seemingly to compensate for their small size. Be sure you are prepared for this possibility.
Very large dogs need a bit more space to move around. Big, happy dogs with long, whip-like tails need "wagging space" to avoid tail injury or damage to household objects. Another consideration is expense: the larger the dog, the more expensive things like dog food, dog supplies and medical treatments become. Training is also a key factor here. If you get a large or giant breed puppy that is allowed to act like a lap dog when young, he will grow up to walk all over you – literally!
Activity Level
You probably already know that some dogs have more energy than others. A dog’s activity level is often determined by breed, but it does not mean you can rely on breed alone to determine how energetic your dog could become. Every dog needs routine exercise, regardless of breed or size, so make sure you can to provide this. If you know you can not commit to more than one or two casual walks per day, then you will probably be better off with a lower energy dog, such as a Basset Hound. If you are looking for a dog that can be a jogging partner, agility competitor or “disc dog,” consider a breed like the Border Collie.Be willing to adjust the amount of exercise and attention you give your dog if necessary. A dog that is barking constantly, digging up your yard, destroying your home, or acting out in some other way is most likely in need of extra activities. Many behavior problems are the result of excess energy. Unfortunately, many dogs are given up or even euthanized because of a behavior problem that could have easily been avoided with the proper amount of exercise and attention.
Physical Maintenance
Your dog’s appearance has a lot to do with his maintenance needs. All dogs need basic grooming, but certain types need more based on the type of hair coat. If you get a dog with hair that keeps growing, then advanced routine grooming is essential. Most short haired, smooth-coated dogs are major shedders, so be prepared to do some extra cleaning up. Some grooming tools can help reduce shedding. Be aware that dogs with long, floppy ears are more prone to ear infections and require frequent thorough ear cleanings. In addition, certain types of dogs can do a lot of drooling. Many owners of Mastiffs, Bloodhounds and similar dogs actually carry a “slobber cloth” with them to wipe the drool. If they shake their heads – watch out!What's here!!1
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