You are what you eat – and the same goes for your dog.
If you eat a low-quality diet or consume too much food, chances are you are going to put on weight and not feel so good. When a dog is showing stress or anxiety-based behaviors, such as aggression or is highly reactive and unable to settle in certain situations, the first thing to look into after taking the dog for a thorough medical check-up is what the dog is eating.
A dog’s nutrition is critical to his overall well-being and is even more important if you have a dog that participates in dog sports or is highly active. Even an inactive dog will benefit in multiple ways from proper nutrition.
How to choose the right dog food
Finding the right food to feed your dog has never been more difficult. Ironically, this is because we live in an era when we have never had so much to choose from in the dog food aisle.
If you learn to read labels, you'll be better able to navigate the marketing language and land on a good, nutritious food for your dog. But that can be more challenging than it may appear.
Why it can be challenging to pick a good dog food
- The majority of low quality food contains byproducts, cereal fillers, additives, artificial colors and preservatives.
- If the first three ingredients of the food you feed your dog are corn, soy, wheat or byproducts, chances are the food is low grade and not giving your dog the good nutrition he needs.
- If one of the first three ingredients contains a good meat source, the ingredient list is short, and the food is naturally preserved, then there is a greater chance that the food is of reasonable quality and will include the kind of things you want to be feeding your dog.
- Some scientists and veterinary behaviorists believe that the level of protein in a dog's diet may contribute to aggressive and/or reactive behavior while others believe that protein content has no impact on general behavior.
- If you are feeding a high performance food to a dog that does nothing more than lie on the couch all day, this might contribute to his discomfort if he doesn't get the outlet he needs to burn off the food throughout the day.
Should I feed my dog raw, dry kibble or meat?
There are many great foods on the market from raw food to kibble and because there is so much choice, it really is a matter of finding a good quality food your dog likes. Some dogs do very well eating raw food, for example, while others become constipated and need to have a slightly lighter diet. Most people like to feed their dogs a mixture of meat and kibble that makes up a complete diet, while others prefer to home cook for their dogs.
- Dogs should be fed twice a day with puppies under the age of six months being fed more regular meals.
- Small dogs tend to like to eat little and often, while larger dogs like to consume large quantities very quickly.
- If your dog eats too quickly you can either feed him his meals in an activity toy such as a treat ball or purchase a bowl with dividers that help slow the act of eating down. It is much better for dogs to chew their food than to inhale it.
On the upside, feeding your dog a good quality food that is free of corn, soy, wheat and other cereal fillers as well as artificial colors and preservatives like BHT, could mean that your dog spends less time at the vet and lives a longer, healthier life.
Preventing dog obesity
Pet obesity is a growing epidemic around the world, and it is causing previously limited health issues to become more and more common. It is estimated that over half of the dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. Fortunately, you can prevent pet obesity and help your dog lose weight if he is overweight or obese.
What health risks do overweight dogs face?
- Decreased life span
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Respiratory distress and disease
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Muscle injuries
How can I prevent my dog from becoming overweight or obese?
- A healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise will help keep your dog in great shape.
- Feed dogs separately in a multi-dog home, or monitor their feeding so that one dog doesn’t steal out of another dog's bowl.
- Do not free feed throughout the day and night.
- Choose a high quality food for your dog.
- Always provide your dog with access to fresh, clean water.
How can I help my dog lose weight?
- Do not free feed your dog. Feed your dog a set amount of food once or twice a day (depending on your vet’s recommendation) at the same time each day.
- Work with your veterinarian to develop a plan for reducing your dog’s food intake to a healthy level.
- Exercise your dog daily. For an obese dog, you may have to build up the duration and intensity of the exercise gradually.
- Swimming is a great way to help a dog lose weight. Utilize the help of an expert to make the most out of your dog’s swim experience.
- In a multi-dog household, feed dogs separately so that one dog does not get more food than another.
Alternatives to traditional dog food
If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional kibble or canned dog food, feeding your dog a raw diet or a mixture of raw and kibble are popular choices. Raw feeding consists of a diet of raw meat, bones, and organs and is intended to simulate the types of food your dog would be more likely to eat in the wild. There are two main variations of raw diets:
The Prey Model
- The prey model is focused on replicating what a dog’s food might look like in the wild.
- The diet usually recommends 80% meat, 10% bone, and 10% organs.
- Typically, dogs on the prey model diet will eat almost solely meat, while some owners choose to supplement with small amounts of vegetables as well as fish oil supplements.
The BARF Model
- The BARF diet (which stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food) tends to be less meat-centered.
- A typical BARF diet is made up of 60-80% raw meaty bones (bones with about 50% meat), and 20-40% fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy, or other foods.
- Owners of dogs on the BARF diet tend to use more supplements than those with dogs on the prey model.
Before changing your dog’s diet, consult your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist to decide whether or not a raw diet is a good idea for your dog.
Know what to look for
Just as you would not feed a child fast food every day, you should not consistently feed your dog low-quality food. Do your research on dog food brands and make sure that the food you choose is free of by-products, fillers, additives, artificial colors, and preservatives.
Some dogs may have food sensitivities and allergies, so talk with your veterinarian if you need advice on a nutrition program for your dog. Others may benefit from a raw food or BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). You must do your research and consult with your veterinarian to determine which type of food is best for your dog.
