The Benefits Of Feeding Your Dog Meals Vs Leaving Food Out
Taking responsibility for sharing your life with a dog brings many choices: How to train, what equipment to use, what are the best toys? When it comes to feeding a dog, the options are just as varied: Kibble or raw, with grain or without, meals in a crate or loose in the kitchen, free feed or meals served only at a certain time? In my years of teaching manners classes, the last question has come up a lot.
Free feeding is the practice of making food available to your dog at all times. Some people who free feed offer the dogs full daily ration at the start of the day, while others make sure the bowl is never empty, adding more food whenever it starts to look low. Its the canine version of a Vegas buffet there is always something being served, at any time of day or night, and the dog can eat whenever he chooses.
Convenience is typically cited as the reason some owners choose the free-feeding method. Others believe that constant access to food can prevent food guarding, particularly with adopted dogs who might have come from a situation where food was limited. In reality, constant access to food can create ongoing stress in a guarding-prone dog, as he potentially feels he must always be on guard to protect his buffet.
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Dog Articles: Health
Puppy, adult and senior: all three stages are important times in your furry pals life when its appropriate to ask your veterinarian about your dogs diet.
Growth foods necessary at the puppy stage have higher protein levels and calorie counts to meet your pups developmental needs. But once your pup is six to 12 months old those needs change.
Thats usually when your puppy is nearing his adult height and can transition to adult food. Spaying or neutering usually occurs at this age as well, lowering your dogs need for increased energy hence a reason to switch from puppy to adult dog food.
Breed size matters
Switching to adult food coincides with maturity, but due to the large variety of breeds, different dogs mature at different rates. Smaller breeds tend to mature faster than larger breeds:
Dogs up to 30 pounds mature around 10 to 12 months of age.
Some toy breeds can mature as early as seven to nine months old.
Medium breeds, up to 80 pounds, mature between 12 to 16 months.
Large breeds can mature at 12, 13, or even 14 months old.
Giant breed dogs can take up to two years to reach full maturity.
No more three squares a day
Most pet parents feed two half-portions of adult food when their dogs are over a year old.
Eyes on your furry friend. Not his food.
Switch slowly
Avoid Kibble With Air And Water For Fillers
Some brands of dog food will make their kibble look larger by puffing them up with air during their heating process. This type of kibble can make your dog feel full quickly, but also make your dog hungry again in no time, as he burps out the air. Foods that are high in water can also create a placebo effect, making your dog feel more satisfied right after eating, then hungry again after he urinates.
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Easy Healthy Homemade Dog Food And The Sweet Pug
Wild rice, split peas, and lentils, in particular, have the advantage of also being high in protein. These complex carbs provide energy and aid in Rating: 4.5 · 58 reviews · 40 min
Jun 29, 2021 How to Prepare Homemade Puppy Food · Protein, such as chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef · Carbohydrates, like rice, pasta, potatoes · Vegetables,
What Human Foods Can My Puppy Eat

There are many foods that your puppy can eat, and some of these foods are even healthy in small quantities. Just be sure to research and look into ingredient labels before you make any decisions. Here are some safe human foods your puppy can eat:
- Peanut Butter: Healthy and safe treat for your pup given in moderation! Always make sure the peanut butter is not one of the few that contain Xylitol, or have salt and sugar. There are a lot of natural peanut butters that will do the trick.
- Greek Yogurt: Plain greek yogurt is better and safer for dogs than any other type of yogurt. The high levels of protein are great for your pup, as well as the probiotic which helps fight yeast infections.
- Lean Proteins: Chicken and beef are one of the most common ingredients used in dog foods, since its an excellent source of protein. Your pup should eat these lean proteins without any seasoning or sauces, which may contain ingredients harmful for your pup.
- Apples: Sliced apples provide a significant amount of vitamins, minerals and fiver, which benefits your pups digestive system. Always remember to remove the seeds before!
- Pasta: Pasta is really nothing more than flour and water, which is safe for dogs. Make sure not to include any pasta sauce!
- Bread: Plain white or whole grain bread is safe for your pup as an occasional treat.
- Corn: Dogs can eat corn in moderate amounts, since its a good source of vitamins.
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Ever Run Out Of Pet Food And Not Know What To Do
We can all agree that life is crazy and full of distractions.
We make lists and have reminders everywhere about EVERYTHING in hopes we wont forget to be somewhere or get something. If you are like me, these dont always help. I so often forget things on my list, and sadly sometimes that is my dogs food.
Unfortunately, dogs and cats arent like us and cant just change up what they eat from meal to meal. Sudden changes in a pets diet can cause them to develop some not-so-pleasant digestive issues that often require a visit to the veterinarian.
Ask any vet, and theyll tell you that abrupt food changes are a common cause of digestive upset in both cats and dogs.
To help paint the picture of what the sudden change in diet feels like to your pet, I will “cook up” this scenario.
Picture eating only bland and easy-to-digest foods. Then one day, you decide to eat a huge spicy meal or a giant pizza with all the toppings. Your tummy aches, you feel nauseated, you have heartburn, etc. Are you now able to relate to how bad your pet may feel when you suddenly switch their food?
I know, I know, our pets eat all sorts of things off the ground. BUT that is only small amounts and not several main meals. And in reality, many do suffer digestive issues when they have been naughty sneaking extras here and there. They just arent always as obvious or messy.
Typically, when dogs or cats have a sudden change in their diet, they will experience one or more of the following symptoms:
When Can Puppies Eat Dry Food
Feeding Your Puppy: Whats the best dry puppy food? Healthiest puppy food? Best puppy food grain for sensitive stomachs? Our guide.
Theres nothing quite like the early days of puppyhood. Its the start of your journey together a special friendship that lasts a lifetime. At the start, you teach them new tricks, watch their confidence grow and spend countless hours cuddling up to them on the sofa. These moments make the sleepless nights worth it.
In these early stages, youll start to notice your pup developing a tendency to think with their stomach and let their appetite do the talking a trait that stays with most dogs. Watch out for those puppy eyes at dinner time.
What they eat at the beginning has a big say in things like the growth of muscles, teeth and bones. Thats why when it comes to food, its important they have everything they need to support them through their early development. Its our job to make sure we get dinner time spot on.
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My Puppy Is Begging Should I Feed Him People Food Or Table Scraps
One little French fry will invariably lead to another, and another. Before long, an obese dog will be crowding you off the love seat. Also, a steady diet of table scraps can create a nutritional imbalance, and certain ingredients and spices in your favorite dishes can cause upset stomach in dogs.
The pleading gaze of a begging dog can be irresistible. This is no accident. During his long partnership with man, the dog has perfected cunning methods of exploiting the human habit of associating food with affection. In prehistoric times semi-domesticated canines first cultivated human beings as a food provider. As the two species grew closer, dogs modified begging behaviors to maximize results: The more pathetic a dog seemed, the more scraps were tossed his way. Dogs have since refined this approach into a low-risk, high-reward hunting technique.
But dont be fooled: Begging is not an emotional crisis or a test of your love. Its what scientists might call an evolutionary survival strategy, or what the rest of us might call a scam. Allowing your dog to guilt you into overfeeding him, or serving him a steady diet of table scraps in a misguided show of affection, can have harmful or even fatal results.
Human Foods Dangerous For Dogs What You Should Never Feed Your Dog
In general, you should avoid feeding your dog highly sweetened, salted, spicy or oily foods, as well as processed, packaged foods which are likely to contain artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives. While many human foods are lacking in necessary nutrients think treats and fast foods others can be downright dangerous, and even deadly, to dogs.
The foods listed below are all common human foods that are dangerous foods for dogs and should never be fed to them, even in tiny amounts. However, this is by no means a comprehensive list, so if you are unsure about the safety of a particular food, please check the Pet Poison Helpline or other online resource before adding it to your dogs bowl.
Alcohol Wine, beer and other alcohol can be toxic, and even deadly, for to your dog. Logically, all foods or drinks containing even a small amount of alcohol are bad for dogs. Alcohol is rapidly adsorbed into the dogs bloodstream and just a drop can cause dangerous declines in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature, with the effects being even worse in smaller breeds.
Avocados Although super healthy for us humans, avocado contains persin, which is known to give dogs an upset stomach, while ingestion of the pip can potentially cause an obstruction in the digestive tract, which can be fatal.
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Why Dog Food Matters
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Make no mistake, food is the most important factor in your dog’s life. Through diet, he has to get everything his body needs: from the energy needed to keep chasing those balls to the incredible array of nutrients that form every tissue and keep every cellular process going, it must all be delivered through his diet. Too much or too little of any one nutrient can quickly cause upsets and if something gets into your dog’s diet that shouldn’t be there, you can be sure that problems won’t be far away. From weaning right through to old age, it is diet more than any other factor that will determine the quality and the length of your dog’s life.
You owe it to your dog to get his food right but don’t fret, we’re here to help all the way!
Why Is Diet So Important
Feeding your dog the correct diet is really important for their health. Just like us, your dog needs to eat a balanced diet each day to give them all the nutrients they need to keep them fit and active.
Diet also plays a big part when it comes to your dogs weight, and with the right exercise, diet can go a long way towards helping your dog stay in perfect shape. Being overweight or obese is harmful to your dogs wellbeing, as it can stop them from being as active as they need to be and put them at risk of certain, serious health conditions.
To find out whether your dog is an ideal weight, take a look at our weigh-up campaign.
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Deflect Your Dogs Attention From Food
Most dogs overeat, because of the same reasons most humans do – because they enjoy eating, and food is delicious. One way to stop your dog from begging for food is by diverting their attention to something more exciting.This can also help you feel less guilty for not giving into their adorable demands. Instead of re-feeding your dog, try taking them outside for a long walk, play with them on the ground, or spend some time brushing their fur out. It only takes about 15 minutes of spending quality time with your puppy to make them completely forget they wanted more food in the first place.
Try Feeding Your Dog Vegetables

Have you already fed your dog all of their meals for the day? Try treating your dog with raw cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, or celery. You can also try boiling them first to break down some of the insoluble fiber. However, before feeding your pet vegetables from the bottom of your fridge, make sure you wash off any pesticides and chemicals first to avoid giving them an upset stomach.
Before completely changing your peckish pups diet completely, its a good idea to consult your vet. We can help you make informed decisions on the best meal plans for your dogs breed, activity level, size, and other health factors.
Providing the very best in veterinary care, and the ability to establish innovated programs.
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Can My Dog Eat This 50 Human Foods Dogs Can And Can’t Eat
We love our fur babies. Per the American Pet Products Association, 68% of American households, as of 20172018, had a pet. Dogs tend to be the most common pet, appearing in 60.2 million American households.
Dogs are amazing animals. One of the smartest domesticated animals, the typical dog has the intelligence and emotional capacity of a 2-year-old human. Dogs have been shown to not only understand a limited vocabulary, but also the ability to be trained to respond to specific commands, to recognize tones of voice, and to respond to danger. Dogs have also shown the capability to be intimidated and show fear, to protect the vulnerable and incapacitated, to recognize right and wrong and show shame, to be grateful, and to offer emotional support and love. Most dogs can also recognize items by name and do simple math. It is no wonder that many dog owners come to recognize their dogs as members of the family.
Given this, it is tempting to share with our dogs the food we eat. Dogs are meat-preferring omnivores unlike cats, which must eat an almost meat-exclusive diet, dogs can and sometimes prefer a starch-rich diet. Unlike other omnivores, like humans, dogs cannot simply forego meat. Dogs need a regular supply of taurine, vitamin D, and arginine, which are usually derived from meat.
Keep reading to learn why Fantastic Mr. Fox was right about blueberries and hounds.
Can You Feed Dogs Raw Chicken
Considering how many dog foods contain chicken as an ingredient, its a safe bet that you can feed your dog chicken. Most sources recommend against raw chicken, due to the risk of salmonella or bacterial infections, although the movement toward raw food, including raw chicken and raw chicken bones, is growing.
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Choosing The Best Dog Food
The best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.
Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. They know more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dogs food.
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Active And Working Dogs
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Dogs that are actively exercised for several hours a day naturally burn a huge amount of calories, and their diet needs to represent this. There is a wide choice of working dog foods available, the majority of which are cheap, low grade feeds that, instead of providing extra energy, rely on the owner feeding a lot more to get enough calories in to the dog. There are exceptions, however, but since the best source of calories for dogs is meat, and since meat is expensive, good quality, working dog foods can be fairly expensive. Take a look at our our Dog Food Directory and filter for working dog foods to see what options are available.
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