There is no consensus among experts on the dietary rules for dogs. One view is that dogs’ teeth and digestive tract belong to the meat eating type. As a result, dogs have always been and still are carnivorous animals. Others argue that over thousands of years, dogs’ eating habits have changed as a result of their dependence on their owners, and that carbohydrates now form the main part of their diet. However, owners are not only concerned about their pet’s diet, which is needed to maintain its vital functions, but also about its well-being, joy and satisfaction in life.
Basic feeding principles
Physiologists are unanimous that dogs and other animals need protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and some vitamins for their well-being. It is important that some of the protein is of animal origin. They are rich in amino acids, which provide energy for muscles and other tissues. Fish, milk, eggs, liver, kidney and meat are the most abundant in amino acids.
Specialists have determine do more, the protein content of a dog’s diet should be 25-50% of the weight of its food. Young puppies, bitches in heat and lactating bitches need much more protein. Meat may be raw, cooked but not fried. Dogs generally do not like pork. It is dangerous to give chicken: the bones, which are easily bitten through, become thin and sharp.
Canned and cooked fish, with the bones removed, is an excellent source of protein. Puppies should start with one teaspoon of minced meat per day. For medium-sized breeds, this can be increased to one to two tablespoons at the age of six weeks, when milk feeding is finished.
A carbohydrate-rich diet is important because carbohydrates are a cheap source of energy. In addition, some carbohydrates are essential for fat absorption. Boiled potatoes, boiled rice and other whole grains are widely used in dog feeding. However, the dog’s stomach has difficulty digesting raw products and mustinches of starch.
Dogs’ diets should contain much more fat than humans. Some experts recommend a diet consisting of 15% fat. However, it can be as high as 40%. Dogs are more salt-loving than humans and almost all their food should be salted. Finally, a bowl of clean water should always be placed in front of the pet so that it can drink whenever and however much it wants.
The diet should be continuously supplemented for bitches in heat and should consist of 65-75% animal products. Supplementary feeding is also necessary during lactation. During pregnancy and lactation, the bitch uses up a lot of vital energy and therefore needs to receive twice as much nutrients as normal.
The best way to wean puppies off their mother’s milk is to feed them cow’s milk. Puppies should be fed five to six times a day immediately after weaning, gradually decreasing to twice a day until one year of age. It is also suggested that puppies include a small amount of fish oil in their diet, especially for fish.ema.
Briefs on feeding rules
Don’t overfeed your dog, but don’t keep it hungry either. Overeating makes them lazy and can lead to illness or impotence. A pet that is not fully fed will feel dissatisfied and constantly anxious and this can lead to illness. However, overeating is worse than hunger.
The dog should not grow too fast, but gradually gain weight. For this reason, leave it a little hungry. Feed him often, but slowly. Do not give very hot or very cold, fried food. Avoid giving sweets.
A large appetite is not a sign of hunger. dogs will often overeat if they are allowed to. They also refuse to eat useful food to which they are not accustomed to the taste. If this happens, it may be possible to go without feeding for one day until the dog gets used to the useful food.