Feeding. Where do I even begin? It is quite possibly one of the most controversial topics in the dog industry. Everyone seems to have differing (and often very strong) opinions regarding what we should feed our dogs, how much we should be feeding them, how many times a day… etc, etc, etc. Hopefully you will find the information in this blog useful, and it will help you to make your own informed decisions regarding your dog’s feeding routine.
The pet food market is a minefield; there are so many options which makes choosing an appropriate dog food extremely difficult. So, what should we be feeding our dogs? Is raw food better than kibble? Should we be feeding dry food or wet food? Dogs are facultative carnivores, which means that they are able to digest both meat and plant material, however, they thrive on a protein rich diet. To put it simply, dogs can survive on pretty much anything, but they thrive on a diet that comprises of a high meat content. There are suitable options for all diet types (i.e. raw, kibble, wet, fresh, freeze dried etc), but what you choose to feed your dog is dependent on several factors. These include whether your dog has any allergies or intolerances, your own personal feeding preferences and also your budget. Typically, the more expensive pet foods contain the highest meat content, however, there are some good budget-friendly options that contain a good percentage of protein. You should be able to check the ingredients of your dog’s food by reading the ‘Composition’ section on the outer packaging or by checking online.
At Moss Croft, we are very experienced when it comes to feeding dogs – as one of the team who gets to clean the mountains of empty bowls, I can vouch for this! Over the years, we have been perfecting the art of feeding our four-legged guests, and now I am going to share some of the tips we have found most useful.
- It is recommended that an average adult dog should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. Please note that young dogs, senior dogs, or dogs with certain health problems may need to be fed more regularly than this.
- Dogs thrive on a routine, feeding dogs at set mealtimes helps ensure they are getting the correct number of calories each day, while also managing their weight and improving toileting habits.
- When feeding dogs, it is advised to NOT leave a bowl of food down all day. This is sometimes referred to as ‘graze feeding’ and can encourage picky eaters. Giving a dog access to food at all times makes it incredibly difficult to ensure they are getting an appropriate amount of nutrients, and it is almost impossible to track how much they are eating per day. Most dogs also tend to avoid food that has been sitting for a great length of time – would you like to eat food that has been sitting out on the floor all day?
- Giving a dog access to their meal for a short amount of time encourages them to eat more consistently. For example, if a dog knows that you are going to remove their bowl after 10 minutes then they are going to want to eat the food before you remove it. If you are wanting to introduce this step into your dog’s routine, it is important to note that once you have decided how long you are leaving the bowl down, you must remain consistent – even if your dog hasn’t eaten some/all of the food. If they haven’t eaten the food, then withhold all food until their next mealtime and repeat the process again. If your dog is used to grazing, it may take a few days before they understand the process, but don’t worry - they won’t let themselves go hungry. While it may seem harsh initially, controlling your dog’s diet will benefit your dog both physically and mentally.
- Ensure that dogs have a plentiful supply of fresh water available to them at mealtimes, especially for those who are fed kibble.
- For fussy eaters, refrain from adding processed meats like ham to a dog’s diet. These products are full of salt and preservatives which can cause health problems if consumed regularly. Instead, perhaps try and soak the food in warm water, this can often make the food more enticing as it releases the aroma and makes it a more palatable temperature.
So, there we have it, a simple guide to improve your dog’s eating habits, which in turn will have a positive influence on their wellbeing. This advice is by no means exhaustive, but it has been tried and tested on all of our four-legged friends and works a treat - pun intended :)
Until next time,
Beth
