Natural feeding for dogs. How to feed your dog natural food Feeding large dogs

Proper nutrition is the key to the health and longevity of every dog, and improper nutrition is a direct path to its illnesses, but due to various circumstances, many owners are in no hurry to understand this issue. Some people are used to feeding their animals with leftovers from their own table, some prepare food separately, but do not think about whether they are choosing the right food, while others are quite happy with dry food. But we decided to figure out what veterinary experts advise to feed your dog.

What should a dog's diet be?

A proper diet must be balanced and meet the biological needs of the animal. Both a large dog and a pocket-sized dog are predators, so the basis of their diet should be proteins, and not just any protein, but of animal origin. They are responsible for the fact that your pet will have strong bones, developed muscles, and healthy coat. Therefore, meat must become the main component of dog nutrition - it is allocated approximately 50%, or even 60% of the daily diet.

Dairy products are in second place - about 30%. Next come vegetables and fruits - 10-20%, and then some cereals - about 15%. We'll talk more about each product group a little later.

But before we get too far ahead, let’s note: the diet should first of all be shaped taking into account the breed of your dog. The following recommendations, almost unchanged, will suit you if you don’t know, for example, what to feed a mongrel yard dog. But if you have a pet of a certain breed, then you cannot do without adjustments: you will have to study the individual characteristics of your dog (intolerance to certain foods, physiological characteristics, etc.) and tailor the pet’s diet to them as much as possible, taking into account the experience of the breeder, information from special literature, the Internet and other owners of dogs of the same breed.

Factors such as the dog's age, size, gender and level of physical activity also affect the quantity and quality of food. If your dog is no longer young and mostly stays at home, then its energy requirement is lower than that of young and active pets who spend a lot of time outside. A large dog eats more than a tiny one, a growing puppy needs a different set of vitamins and minerals than an adult dog, and the diet of a pregnant dog also needs some correction. All these details should definitely be taken into account if you are concerned about the health of your four-legged friend.

Meat and offal

We have already said that dogs are predators, so they cannot do without meat. But what kind of meat should you feed your dog - raw or processed? Many experts believe that it is best to bring your dog’s diet closer to nature, that is, feed it raw meat. But in this case, there is a risk that you will buy low-quality meat, and your friend will become infected with worms and dangerous bacteria. To do this, all raw meat and bones must be frozen in advance for at least 2 days, preferably 3, and only then given to the dog. Some owners simply pour boiling water over the meat, but this is of little use, since this will only help kill those bacteria that are on the surface of the product.

Why not give your dog boiled meat right away, you ask? Of course, the dog will happily eat it boiled, but during heat treatment some of the beneficial microelements and vitamins contained in raw meat are lost. Therefore, the ideal option is a compromise consisting of alternating cooked and raw meat so that the animal receives all the necessary substances in full.

• Types of meat. Lean lean meat is suitable, ideally beef, also veal, rabbit, poultry - turkey and chicken, if your pets are not allergic to it. Fatty meat, for example, pork, is prohibited.

• Offal. Of course, dogs can also be fed meat by-products - stomachs, hearts, tripes, liver, kidneys, chicken necks - only cut into smaller pieces, and always boiled. But don’t try to completely replace meat with them! Also monitor the dog’s reaction to such food, because in individual cases such foods may not have a very good effect on the animal’s well-being and stool, and then they will have to be abandoned.

• Ground meat. Opinions vary on this issue, but most experts do not recommend feeding your dog ground meat. And it’s not a matter of harm: the gastrointestinal tract of dogs is designed in such a way that for digestion it needs larger meat pieces, muscle ones, and ground minced meat will pass through your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, as they say, in transit, without giving away all the important nutrients. So you shouldn’t skimp on meat; the benefits of minced meat will still be much less, and the animal will hardly be satisfied.

• Bones. A big mistake is made by owners who try to save money and give their dogs boiled tubular bones from their table, especially bird bones. Firstly, bones, in principle, are not nutritious, and serve more as a toy for the dog - predators in the wild also turn to them last. And secondly, bone fragments that get into the pet’s stomach pose a danger to their internal organs and can cause intestinal perforation, blockage, oral injuries, suffocation and other problems, often with fatal consequences.

Occasionally, you can give the animal a raw thawed bone with the remains of meat so that he can play with it, but only if it is beef callus - large, round, with soft cartilage, and in no case chopped. Better yet, buy your pet a special toy in the shape of a bone at a pet store.

Fish

What else you can feed your dog to get protein and a lot of useful substances is fish - it’s enough to do this 1-2 times a week. Sea fish can be given raw, having first been frozen, and river fish can only be boiled well to avoid infection. Clean fish from bones to avoid asphyxia and internal injuries. Remember: there is much less protein in fish than in meat, so the portion should be larger.

It happens that a dog categorically refuses to eat fish - then simply increase the portion of meat. There is an option that the animal simply did not like a particular type of fish, try offering another. And sometimes a pet may refuse raw fish because the smell of blood disgusts him - then boil it or pour boiling water over it.

Dairy and eggs

Milk for small puppies under 4 months of age is an indispensable product. But then their body stops producing the enzyme necessary for the complete digestion of lactose, so it simply is not digested, and often also weakens the stool and even becomes the cause of food allergies.

It is better to pay attention to fermented milk products, such as cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt and yogurt. They can and should be given to animals every day. But these products should not be fatty, nor low-fat either: 1-4% for kefir and yogurt and up to 5% for cottage cheese are quite suitable.

Eggs can only be given boiled to avoid diseases. 1-2 pieces per week will be enough, depending on the size of the dog. And if quail eggs, then from 3 to 6 pieces.

Vegetables

Of course, vegetables are a storehouse of microelements and vitamins. They are not the main component of a dog’s diet, but still their presence in it has a very positive effect on the health and appearance of the four-legged animals.

If you don’t know what vegetables you can feed your dog, then your choice is not so small: pumpkin, carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, beets and zucchini (boiled only), and bell peppers are suitable. But it is better to avoid white cabbage, potatoes, onions, garlic, sorrel, eggplant, corn, legumes and large quantities of tomatoes: they increase flatulence, make stools unformed, and some of these vegetables can lead the dog to anemia, arthritis and allergies.

What you must feed your dog 2-3 times a week is greens. Dill, parsley, and lettuce are fine, give them separately or add them to food.

Cereals

Dogs, as carnivores, require very little carbohydrate, only about 15%, 20% maximum. Cereals can be their source, but not all of them and not on an ongoing basis. For example, sometimes you can diversify a dog’s menu with oatmeal, rich in vegetable proteins, but you should not feed it to your dog every day. Buckwheat porridge can be very useful for dogs; rice porridge is also good - they can even be mixed. However, it should be remembered that some dogs are allergic to buckwheat and oatmeal, and frequent consumption of rice can cause constipation.

Veterinarians and professional dog breeders do not recommend using other types of cereals. Millet porridge is very difficult to digest and often causes stomach problems in pets, while pearl barley and corn porridge should be feared for their poor digestibility and, in many cases, even allergenicity. Semolina porridge is completely useless for dogs and can also cause allergies.

• Forget about confectionery and bakery products: they cause fermentation in the pet’s stomach, diarrhea, and an excess of them can lead to serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract, pain, even rupture of the stomach or intestines. Not to mention that sugar greatly damages the teeth of carnivores and can cause diabetes.

• Most sweet and not-so-sweet fruits are also of no value to our four-legged friends, and are even harmful: grapes, plums, citrus fruits, persimmons, peaches, red currants, cherries. The bones can clog the intestines and cause enteritis. An exception can be made for ripe apples, pears, watermelons and melons, as well as a small amount of berries and dried apricots. Under no circumstances should you feed your dog prunes, dates, and especially raisins: they contain too much potassium, which can lead to serious health problems, including cardiac arrest. Avoid avocados as well - they are too fatty for your dog.

• Nuts can also cause allergies, and in general they are poorly digested by the animal’s body.

• Chocolate, as well as cocoa and caffeine-containing products, are also taboo. They can cause nausea, diarrhea, severe agitation in the animal, and sometimes lead to death.

• It is strictly forbidden to feed animals sausage, bacon, balyk, sausages and similar smoked pickles: unfortunately, they all now contain flavorings and other additives of inorganic origin, as well as large amounts of fat, salt and spices that are harmful to dogs.

• We will even put this in a separate paragraph: do not add spices and salt to the food you are going to feed your dog - she already gets the required amount of salt from raw meat and other products, and she does not need spices at all.

• Let us remind you once again about the dangers of tubular and fish bones - leave the stereotype that a dog definitely needs a bone!

• You should not feed your dog fatty, fried, salted or spiced food from your dinner table if you do not want your pet to get gastritis or pancreatitis. In general, everything that is not intended for dogs should not be given to them: food for cats and other animals, baby food, “human” nutritional supplements and vitamins, etc.

• Don't try to give your dog alcohol! Even beer can cause severe intoxication in her, and vodka is addictive after the second glass.

• Make sure that the food is at a comfortable temperature for the animal, that is, slightly warm - not hot, not cold, and in no case frozen.

• Do not forget to change the water in the drinking bowl often - it should always be fresh. Water is the only correct drink for a dog - milk or kefir are already considered food, and human drinks like various sodas and lemonades are not suitable for it at all.

• Do not replace expensive foods with cheap ones or empty foods like pasta, which have little nutritional value and can lead to obesity if consumed frequently. Just because you gave your dog a small piece of meat and a large bowl of porridge or vegetables, it will not become healthier and will not receive the necessary nutrients.

• Give your dog only high-quality and fresh food. Of course, many dogs are happy to eat slightly spoiled, fermented meat with a “smell,” but it is better to throw outright rotten meat in the trash without regret. Agree, the argument that dogs descended from jackal scavengers, who themselves live only 7-8 years, is rather weak. And for some breeds, even slightly stinking meat can at least cause an upset stomach. The same applies to spoiled dairy products.

How often to feed your dog

To prevent your dog from having problems with the gastrointestinal tract, food intake must be regular. The optimal diet for an adult dog is two meals a day: in the morning and in the evening, and it is best to feed the dog after a walk, and not before it. If you think that in this case the dog will have nothing to relieve himself with during a walk, and then he will eat and ask to go to the toilet earlier than he should, then you are mistaken: the digestive process of an adult is a rather lengthy and time-consuming thing. In addition, heavy feeding before a walk can cause volvulus in the dog.

If you were away from home or for some other reason forgot to feed your dog at one of the prescribed meals, you should not rush to feed it right away, trying to make up for lost time. Nothing bad will happen from one skip, so try not to deviate from the routine and let your pet wait until the next meal.

Of course, small puppies need to be fed more often, but in small portions. Babies aged 1-2 months are fed approximately 5-6 times a day, then the portions are increased and the number of meals is reduced. At six months, the puppy eats only 3 times a day, and starting from a year old, you can switch to two meals a day.

Pregnant females are fed 3-4 times a day, while monitoring the pet’s weight to prevent obesity.

Dry food or natural food?

The debate on this issue has not yet subsided. Some veterinarians and dog breeders are inclined to believe that the healthiest and most natural food for dogs is natural. Others believe that dry food not only makes life easier for the owner, but also contains all the necessary microelements and vitamins necessary for the dog’s complete nutrition - the manufacturer has already taken care of this for us.

In fact, most of the inexpensive economy-class food that we buy only harms our dogs: they are made from low-quality raw materials (in this case, the quality of the food is really related to its cost), contain a bunch of flavorings and chemical preservatives, and the balance of microelements in they do not always fully correspond to the norm. Therefore, if you decide to feed your dog dry food, choose premium brands and professional food - it is better not to skimp on the health of your four-legged friend. Do not buy food with colored granules, study the packaging and choose only brands with natural preservatives.

• Important: dry food and natural food should not be mixed! In this way, you upset the balance of your pet’s diet, because a certain amount of proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins are included in dry food during production, and additional natural food leads to their excess, that is, health problems and obesity. Even switching from dry food to natural food, or vice versa, you need to gradually, slowly, carefully monitoring your dog’s condition. Therefore, stick strictly to one type of diet.

In order for a fluffy little puppy brought into your home to grow into a beautiful, healthy dog ​​over time, you need to give him the right, well-balanced diet. After reading today's article, you will learn what to feed your shepherd and what to give to your miniature lapdog.

Experts recommend at about the same time. This will help you develop a specific schedule for walking your pet. Before deciding how many times a day your dog should eat, consult your veterinarian. He will tell you in detail about what and how many times to feed a dog at different periods of its life.

Those who plan to give their dog “drying” need to remember how important it is that it be the same type of product from a trusted manufacturer. After all, unlike that of a human, a dog’s digestive system is not able to quickly adapt to food replacement. A sudden switch from one type of food to another can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, the diet of adult dogs and puppies should not be too varied. You need to gradually accustom your pet to new food. Typically, the entire process takes about a week. This must be done by mixing two types of feed.

What should you consider when planning your diet?

First of all, you need to pay attention to the size of the pet. It is absolutely clear to even an inexperienced owner that a large dog will need much more food than a small breed.

The animal’s temperament plays an important role when compiling a dog’s menu. Thus, active individuals expend a large amount of energy, which must be replenished. Therefore, frisky dogs need food with a fairly high content of proteins and carbohydrates.

It is extremely important to consider the breed of your pet. Some dogs are predisposed to diseases of the digestive system, so certain foods should not be given to them. Some breeds are prone to brittle bones and therefore require food high in calcium.

To properly groom a dog, it is imperative to take into account its age. At different stages of life, a dog’s needs for certain substances differ significantly. For example, puppies do not digest complex and rough foods well. Therefore, they need to be given gentle food. Animals in active growth need protein, iron and calcium.

A little about dry food

Modern pet stores offer a wide range of similar products. High-quality dry food will be a real boon for those who, due to certain circumstances, do not have the opportunity to cook on their own. It is believed that they contain all vital substances. And some breeders are confident that properly selected “drying” is the best nutrition. Many of them recommend feeding dogs this food. In this case, the pet receives all vitamins and microelements along with the food.

When choosing such feeds, it is important to pay attention to their class. Economy is considered the cheapest and lowest quality. Low-grade products and some artificial substances are used for its production. Therefore, for those who value the health of their four-legged friend, it is advisable to buy food of at least premium quality. Also, when selecting, you should carefully study the composition of the products offered. It is important that it does not contain soy and other poorly digestible additives.

Some manufacturers produce lines designed specifically for representatives of a certain breed. This makes life very easy for those who do not know how and what to feed a shepherd or Labrador. In addition, there is a division by age groups. So, in pet stores you can buy food for adult animals, teenagers and puppies.

Natural nutrition

This is the best way to keep your pet in excellent physical shape. And the vast majority of dogs will prefer natural meat to the highest quality “dried” meat. Those who are determined to give their pet such food need to remember a few fairly simple rules.

A natural menu should be varied and well balanced. It is important not to overfeed the animal, as this can be dangerous to its health. In addition, modern products do not always contain all the necessary substances. Therefore, in order to provide dogs with adequate nutrition with natural food, they should be periodically given multivitamin complexes.

A few words about meat, poultry and bones

Lean beef, lamb or turkey are best for dogs. Chicken often causes allergies, so it must be given with great caution. Since meat is considered the main source of natural protein, it should prevail in your pet’s diet. To protect your dog from possible infection with toxoplasma or helminths, it should first be kept in the freezer.

Some meat can be replaced with offal. Natural dog food involves periodic use of tripe, kidneys, lungs, heart and liver. Animals happily eat all of the above products. To increase the nutritional value of a dog's diet, bone, fish or meat meal is added to it.

As for bones, it is advisable to completely exclude them from your pet’s menu. They not only bring no benefit, but also harm the animal. Veterinarians often have to remove sharp fragments from the gastrointestinal tract of four-legged patients. The only thing you can give your dog to chew on is raw beef bones or cartilage.

Cereals and vegetables in a dog's diet

Porridges serve as an excellent source of carbohydrates, so it is advisable to include them in the animal’s menu. Veterinarians recommend cooking rolled oats, buckwheat and rice cereals for dogs. They are the ones that are digested better than others by the dog’s body and saturate it with the necessary energy. Occasionally, your furry friend's diet can be varied with barley, corn, wheat or pearl barley porridge. However, their constant use often causes digestive disorders.

To slightly diversify a dog's diet, it is recommended to add vegetables to porridge. They will allow you to supplement the animal’s food with the necessary antioxidants and vitamins. When planning a menu, it is important to ensure that the amount of vegetables does not exceed fifteen percent of the total food. Before you put carrots, pumpkins or zucchini in your pet's bowl, they need to be cooked. In addition to the vegetables already mentioned, the best foods for dogs are parsnips, bell peppers and beets.

Is it possible to feed fish to pets?

This is one of those questions that almost all inexperienced owners ask. This product should be present in a dog’s diet, as it contains many beneficial substances. It is advisable to introduce it into the dog menu after the puppy turns five months. To feed your dog, it is best to use pre-cooked and deboned ocean or sea fish. This could be pike perch, pollock, navaga, trout, pelengas or halibut.

It is highly undesirable to give your pet raw river fish. It can cause helminth infection. In addition, excessive consumption of fish can lead to a deficiency of B vitamins. Therefore, it is recommended to feed your dog this product no more than twice a week. It is extremely important not to mix it in one serving with meat.

Seaweed is very beneficial for the dog’s body. They are considered an excellent source of phosphorus, potassium, sodium and iron. Therefore, it is also recommended to periodically introduce them into the menu of your four-legged friend.

Puppy diet

Babies aged two to six months are actively growing. Therefore, they urgently need high-calorie food. However, you should not stuff your puppy with all the treats available in the house at once. Try, at least during the first week of the animal’s stay in the new environment, to feed it what the breeder provided. Otherwise, you risk ruining your baby's stomach with a sudden change in food.

If there are no clear recommendations, you can offer him raw meat. This is one of the few foods that does not cause stomach upset. It must be fed finely chopped, since minced meat is practically not absorbed by the dog’s body. Very young puppies are usually given a so-called scraper. It consists of heavily frozen meat, cut into very thin slices.

Puppies under three months of age should have milk in their diet. It is given just like that, added to cottage cheese or porridge. Later, this product is completely excluded from the dog menu. This is due to the fact that the body of an older animal stops producing the enzyme that breaks down lactose. From the age of three months, yogurt, kefir and other fermented milk products are gradually introduced into the puppies’ diet.

It is important that the dog's diet consists of high-quality products, since many stomach diseases in puppies develop not because they picked up something while walking, but because they were fed something that should not be in their diet.

Teen Menu

As the puppy gets older, he needs less and less energy for normal development. Therefore, his diet should no longer consist of high-calorie foods. During this period, active development of the skeleton begins, so it is important not to overfeed the animal. Otherwise, the dog will quickly gain excess weight, which may result in bone deformation. A teenage puppy should not be fat, because this often provokes the occurrence of rickets and dysplasia.

From the age of six months, raw vegetables are introduced into the dog’s diet, no longer crushed into puree. From this moment on, they are simply grated, and the meat is cut into larger pieces. As for fermented milk products, they should still be present on the menu. With age, the diet of dogs no longer changes; only the ratio of the main components undergoes further adjustment.

Diet of an adult and aging animal

The standard menu for dogs past adolescence should consist of chopped beef, low-fat cottage cheese, vegetables and vegetable oil. It is also important to periodically introduce vitamin and mineral supplements into the animal’s diet.

As for cereals, it is advisable to completely exclude them from the dog’s diet. However, in case of emergency, it can be given along with meat. It is better if the diet for dogs is monotonous. Experts do not recommend changing your usual set of products too often. The animal's food should not be too hot or too cold.

For an aging pet, it is recommended to limit fat intake and increase fiber intake. Therefore, grated vegetables and raw meat should predominate in his diet. For older dogs, it is cut into smaller pieces, since most of them have problems with their teeth. It is also advisable to periodically give the dog low-fat cottage cheese and kefir.

Features of feeding miniature dogs

Small breeds such as Yorkies, Dachshunds, Pomeranians and Chihuahuas need a well-balanced diet to replenish their energy. By analogy with their larger brothers, these dogs belong to the wolf family. Consequently, they require protein found in eggs, fish, meat, offal and fermented milk.

In addition, Toy Terriers, Yorkies and Dachshunds are prone to heart disease. Therefore, proper nutrition should include vitamin and mineral complexes with a high content of calcium and fluoride. The diet of such animals must include eggs, meat, fish, cereals, carrots, vegetable oil and cottage cheese. From grains, they can be given oats, buckwheat, rolled oats and rice. It is recommended to dilute the cottage cheese with a small amount of milk.

As for meat, it can be given both raw and boiled. Turkey, chicken, lamb and beef are best suited for feeding small breeds. It is important that there is no fat or bones in it.

Features of the diet of representatives of medium breeds

First of all, you need to figure out which dogs can be classified in this group. Medium breeds include animals whose weight ranges from twelve and a half to twenty-five kilograms. These are Labradors, Huskies, Collies and Huskies.

Most of these dogs have an active temperament and require a lot of exercise. Therefore, proper dog nutrition should include lamb, beef, rice, oatmeal, carrots, cabbage and dairy products.

Porridge for such animals is cooked in water or low-fat broth. Millet, buckwheat, rice and rolled oats are considered excellent sources of carbohydrates. Therefore, such food will help replenish the energy costs of your four-legged pet. As for cottage cheese and fermented milk products, they are needed in order to establish normal digestion for the animal.

Nutrition for large dogs

This group includes Rottweilers, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Setters, Mastiffs, Alabais, German and Caucasian Shepherds. The weight of representatives of these breeds exceeds forty kilograms. Therefore, they need high-quality and properly balanced nutrition.

To provide an animal with all the necessary vitamins and microelements, it is not enough to give it meat alone. It is important for dogs to get cottage cheese, which contains large amounts of calcium. Also, representatives of large breeds must be given vegetables, lean fish, cereals, eggs and dairy products.

What should you not feed your dog?

Having figured out what should be included in a dog’s diet, you need to say a few words about what absolutely should not be on its menu. If you do not want to harm your four-legged friend, then try to remember a fairly short list of prohibited foods. Unlike people, pets practically do not absorb some components, so they are not recommended for furry pets.

Dogs should not be fed potatoes, legumes, sweets, long bones, pickles, mushrooms, cabbage and onions. A ban has also been imposed on citrus fruits, marinades, sausages and flour products. Even if the above products do not harm the animal, they will not bring him much benefit. It is also strictly forbidden to give four-legged pets human food, including soups, borscht and cutlets.

The Comprehensive Guide to Dog Nutrition Questions and Answers

How much food to give your dog per day?

The required amount of food is determined empirically for each dog, but there are general recommendations. If you feed food, the packet will always indicate what size portion it should be depending on the size of the dog. This is important because food is a balanced set of elements that a dog needs.

If the dog is very active, the recommended portion can be slightly increased. If the dog is very, very lazy, on the contrary, reduce it. The main thing is that the dog's weight remains constant. In hot weather, the portion can be reduced, because dogs are usually lethargic and do not need extra stress. In winter, your dog needs more energy and nutrients.

How many times a day should you feed your dog?

Puppies eat constantly and as much as they want. This is probably why, even as they grow, they require the same regularity of feeding. But you can’t give in to persuasion and cute eyes. The older the dog, the less often it needs to be fed:

• 2 months - 3-4 times a day
• 3-6 months - 3 times a day
• 6-12 months - 2 times a day
• From a year - 1-2 times a day

The average dog can be fed twice a day in equal portions. If there are no problems with weight and activity, everything is fine.

How can you tell if your dog is full?

The dog itself will never say this. She won't understand. Dogs hardly feel full and will eat like pigeons on the street - until the food runs out.

You can get your bearings like this. If after eating the dog asks for more, this is normal, but you should not give the dog as much as he wants. If the dog looked at you offended and went to sleep, then everything is fine. If the dog goes to the kitchen all day to rattle the bowl, this is completely different. Either the dog really isn’t eating enough, and the portion needs to be increased, or it’s time.

The dog is constantly begging for food. Is she hungry?

Begging in dogs is a matter of education. Unlike cats, dogs generally do not feel full well and can eat as long as the food fits in their stomach. If your dog constantly demands food, you should go to the vet, because the problem may be related to health. If the dog whined and went to sleep without receiving the supplement, everything is fine.

It seems to me that the dog is thin. Do you need to feed more?

First, figure out if she’s really skinny. People have their own ideas about what a beautiful dog should look like. And these ideas do not always correspond to the physiology of a healthy animal. A dog in good shape has a visible waist. The ribs do not protrude, but they can be easily felt by hand when stroking.

How to calculate the amount of natural food?

The amount of food for the whole day is calculated as follows:

• Puppies up to 6 months – 6% of the dog’s weight
• Dogs from 6 months - 3-4% of the dog’s weight

That is, if you have a two-year-old Jack Russell weighing 8 kg, he should receive 250-300 grams of food. But since this breed is known for its hyperactivity, the portion can be increased.

What should be in a dog's diet?

If you feed food, then nothing else is needed. Natural food should contain approximately 40-50% meat, 30% fermented milk products and the rest - fiber. For example, it could be cottage cheese and kefir with bran in the morning and meat in the evening. Periodically treat with vegetables and fruits.

Why shouldn't you give your dog pork?

What can you feed your dog to make it healthy?

You can feed with vegetables and unsweetened fruits. Cucumbers, apples, grated carrots, celery.

Is it possible to mix dry and wet food?

You can't mix. And it’s not just that one is dry and the other is wet. Feed is an accurate calculation of useful elements, first of all. A portion of dry food is precisely calculated for a specific size of dog. The same goes for wet food. If you mix both types of feed, it will no longer be possible to calculate the balance. The dog will either receive less of the necessary elements or receive them in excess. As a result, the dog is at risk of malnutrition or obesity.

Secondly, a dog’s stomach digests dry and wet food differently. This requires different times and different enzymes. If all this ends up in the stomach at the same time, it threatens to disrupt the microflora and stable functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The dog eats food. Can I give regular food if I run out?

Dogs should absolutely not be given mixed food, no matter what you mix. Feed dry food - that's all you need to feed it. The same applies to natural food. If you forgot to go to the store, your dog may suffer. Believe me, nothing bad will happen to her. Missing a meal is not as bad as having indigestion or worse.

Is it possible to give a dog food from the table?

Usually we have something salty, fried and peppered on the table. A dog cannot eat all this. You can give a cucumber or unsweetened fruit. Vegetables are good for dogs.

Dogs should not be given sweets at all. Especially cakes and chocolates. Chocolate is a real poison for dogs. Of course, a little candy won't hurt. But if you recklessly forgot the chocolate on the nightstand and went to work, there may be problems. Chocolate contains theobromine, which affects the heart and central nervous system of dogs. Dark chocolate with a high content of theobromine is most dangerous. If a dog eats a large amount of chocolate, it can lead to dire consequences. The main symptoms of poisoning are nausea, diarrhea, hyperactivity, rapid heartbeat, and impaired coordination.

Why shouldn't you give bones to your dog?

Many dogs eat bones, but that doesn't make them any less dangerous. The dog chews the bone into thousands, thousands of small sharp fragments! They all end up in the stomach. Something is digested, the rest is compressed and goes through the intestines, turning into a huge prickly hedgehog, with sharp debris sticking out in all directions. This is the main danger. It is a rare dog that spits out fragments when it chews something; usually everything is swallowed with excitement. Unless you are prepared to keep an eye on every bit of bone you chew, it is best not to give your dogs bones at all.

What bones should you not give to your dog?

The correct answer is none. There are no fundamentally important substances in the bones; the dog can get all the most useful things from food and vitamins. Another thing is training the teeth and jaws. A dog needs to chew something in order to develop harmoniously in puppyhood and have a good time in adolescence. This is where bones from the pet store can help. They are made from veins, which the dog will chew for a long time and with ecstasy. If you really want to, you can give him a callus - this is a hard hip bone that not every dog ​​can chew. It is strictly forbidden to give poultry and boiled bones.

What foods should you not give to your dog?

Anything sweet, salty or spicy should not be given. Alcohol, caffeine, and sugar in all forms are prohibited. The acid in citrus fruits can cause gastrointestinal upset. Onions, garlic and, for some reason, grapes should also not be given to dogs.

The key to a dog’s health, confident stance, correct posture, shiny coat, activity and healthy lifestyle is the way it feeds. There are general standards and recommendations on how to properly feed a dog with natural food, of course, there is an alternative - industrial food, but each animal needs an individual approach, so we will look at the nuances.

Before purchasing a pet, you should study many breed nuances of feeding and maintenance. It is important to understand, even if you are adopting a mongrel from a shelter, that this is a dog that needs the same nutritious nutrition as a titled pet. Accept it as a fact - keeping any animal requires material costs; do not expect to feed your dog homemade food “from the table” or the cheapest dry food. As a result, treating your pet will take much more time, money, and most importantly, the animal will suffer for the rest of its life. A number of fundamental rules that will help maintain the health of the animal:

• In most cases, it is fraught with metabolic disorders.

• Has a detrimental effect on the intestinal microflora.

• Industrial feeds are enriched with vitamins and microelements; mixing diets can lead to hypervitaminosis.

The daily food intake is calculated based on the weight and energy needs of the pet. An imbalance leads to either obesity or loss of strength and exhaustion. The daily weight of food should be 2–3% of the dog’s weight if we are talking about an adult pet.

An important nuance: the larger the dog, the less its need for daily calories per kilogram of weight.

When calculating, take into account the energy needs of the animal; you cannot feed a yard dog kept in a chain or enclosure in the same “regime” as a pet who is engaged in service or regularly engages in “dog sports”. Older dogs also have lower calorie needs, but the amount of protein, fatty amino acids, and proteins should remain the same.

• Requirement of large breeds weighing 45–70 kg: 30–24 kcal/kg body weight.

• Requirement of medium breeds weighing 15–30 kg: 39–33 kcal/kg body weight.

• Requirement of small breeds weighing 5–10 kg: 52–44 kcal/kg body weight.

• Requirement for miniature breeds weighing 2–5 kg: 65 kcal/kg body weight.

Important! A complete ban on fatty foods in a dog’s diet is, to put it mildly, illogical. Of course, proteins, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids and microelements are extremely important, but a moderate amount of fat is also necessary. The main thing is to carefully monitor your pet’s weight, especially after surgery, illness, pregnancy, stress, and adjust the diet if the dog begins to gain weight.

Provide constant access to water, the dog should have it at any time, especially after an active walk, in hot weather, with low air humidity. , a subtle but serious threat to the life and health of your pet. It is recommended to change the water once a day, in the hot season - at least 2 times. If in your city or town, tap water has a high percentage of impurities (scale remains in the kettle), it is recommended to give the dog purified water - salts, phosphorus, chlorine, unrefined calcium obtained with water, the most common cause of urolithiasis.

Note! Excessive water consumption is a dangerous symptom for the female. Dogs experience intense, uncontrollable thirst when they develop pyometra, a purulent inflammation of the uterus.

Read also: Bisko dog food

Feeding an adult dog - daily need for energy and vitamins

Beginner owners often face a number of difficulties in preparing a diet, succumb to the manipulation of their pets and lose sight of important features of the breed. Let's figure out what to properly feed your dog at home and how to calculate the required amount of food. An adult dog eats 1-3 times a day; based on the regimen, divide the daily intake into portions.

Water

The basis of proper metabolism, digestion, and therefore good health is water. The daily norm is calculated based on 40–60 ml. per kilogram of an adult pet’s body (80–110 ml for puppies), if the ambient temperature does not exceed 25 C°. Please note that the daily water intake includes the liquid that is included in the porridge.

Squirrels

Material for cell restoration and division. One of the necessary elements that the body cannot stock up on for future use, therefore proteins must be present in the animal’s diet every day. The dog's body synthesizes many vitamins and microelements on its own, but a number of essential amino acids are found only in protein foods. Complete sources of protein - lean meat, natural milk, eggs.

Eggs are a rich source of vitamins E, B2, B12, D, proteins and essential amino acids. Along with the benefits, the product is a strong allergen, so it is not advisable to use it more than 2 times a week. For puppies, nursing and weak pets, quail eggs are recommended for maintenance purposes.

In combination with natural food, the pet should receive bones and cartilage, but taking into account several nuances:

• It is strictly forbidden to feed the dog tubular, rib and other bones that break into fragments under pressure - a direct path to the operating table, and only if you have time.

• Bones are fed only raw. Boiled bone tissue is calcined like glass and, when chewed, breaks into small sharp fragments.

• The dog can have spongy bones (porous) - shoulder blade, brisket.

• Sugar bones (moslaks) are given to the dog as a teething and teeth cleaning aid. The moslak should not fit into the dog's mouth. You should not leave an animal gnawing a bone unattended - an overly enthusiastic pet can damage its jaw if the bone gets stuck.

Read also: Teaching a dog the “Place” command: step-by-step instructions for pets from 4 months to a year

Milk is a partial alternative to meat, but with a number of conditions:

• Homemade milk must undergo veterinary examination, otherwise the product may threaten the life of the animal.

• The optimal fat content of milk is 7–12%.

• The milk must be fresh.

• Mixing meat and milk in one feeding is not recommended.

Carbohydrates

The energy basis of the body, including the immune system. Fiber - bran, the shell of cereals and some of their components, act as a catalyst for digestion and cleansing the intestines. The daily fiber intake for an adult dog is 2–3% of the diet, carbohydrates – 10 g. per kilogram.

The optimal source of carbohydrates and fiber is cereals. They are fed only in a well-cooked form. Porridge is prepared from chaff, whole or pressed cereals - rice, oatmeal, barley, buckwheat or mixtures thereof. Feeding millet, semolina, corn and pearl barley is unacceptable!

Vegetables and fruits are a source of fast carbohydrates and fiber. Eating raw or processed vegetables in combination with grains and meat has a beneficial effect on the tone of the gastrointestinal tract, supports intestinal microflora, and helps the body get rid of toxins. It is optimal to finely chop or grate an apple, pumpkin, carrots, herbs, lettuce, and tomato. You should be careful with potatoes, cabbage and beets - they can cause diarrhea.

Fats

Contrary to all the arguments about the dangers of fatty foods, no metabolism can do without fats. Of course, the dog should not be fed excessively fatty, fried foods, or foods containing harmful vegetable oils (palm oil, recyclables). The pet needs to receive non-synthesized Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and products that will allow them to build up a small layer of fat for the winter. The daily fat intake is 1.3 g per kilogram for an adult dog, 2.6 g for puppies.

The source of healthy fats is boiled ocean fish, vegetable oils: olive, pumpkin, sunflower, which are optimally absorbed in combination with cereals.

Vitamins and minerals

The weak point of dogs is B vitamins and ascorbic acid (C), they are synthesized in the body in insufficient quantities and are not stored in reserve, so they must be present in food daily.

Note! High-quality industrial food contains a full complex of vitamins; when choosing treats, study the composition so as not to increase the required daily dose.

Vitamin supplements are given in regular courses and additionally during pregnancy, lactation, active growth or illness. Please note that phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and vitamin D must be present in one complex, since they are absorbed in proper proportions, and excess is excreted from the body.

The health of a pet is the key to its longevity and happy life. Your pet should not be fed the same foods or offered food intended for a different type of animal. This is far from the only rule that the owner of a four-legged friend must adhere to. To figure out what is best to feed your dog, you need to consider the main food groups that are usually present in a pet’s diet.

Meat

This product is very often the basis of nutrition for most dog breeds. In this case, it is allowed to feed your pet lean beef. However, it is not necessary to choose premium products. Also, when deciding what is best to feed the dog, many owners try to purchase tenderloin or another type of high-quality meat. In fact, this is a big mistake, because this type of nutrition is undesirable.

Dogs of all ages can be given rabbit, lamb or horse meat. But it’s better to abstain from pork.

By-products and poultry are also not prohibited. The main thing is to never give chicken skin to your pet. It is poorly digested and can lead to gastrointestinal problems.

If we talk about how to properly feed dogs meat, then it should be given exclusively raw. To destroy dangerous bacteria in it, it is enough to freeze the product thoroughly. It is not necessary to carry out other heat treatments. It is also not recommended to grind meat into minced meat. It must remain rigid so that the animal's jaw receives the necessary loads.

Fish

When talking about what to feed your dog at home, it is also worth considering seafood. Pets are allowed to feed raw fillets of only low-fat sea or ocean fish. In this case, it is advisable to choose a product without a large number of bones and freeze it thoroughly before giving it to your pet. At the same time, you can feed the animal 2-3 times a week with fish, alternating this delicacy with meat. It is strongly not recommended to switch your pet exclusively to a fish diet. In this case, there is a high risk that the pet may develop hypovitaminosis.

Dairy products

Many people are interested in whether it is possible to feed a dog cheese. Yes, but you need to ensure that the fat content of fermented milk products does not exceed 9%. This cheese is well absorbed and digested by the animal’s body.

Separately, it is worth saying a few words about cottage cheese. If its fat content is more than 2%, then in some animals this can cause mild diarrhea.

Also, loose stools may be associated with the addition of a certain brand of kefir to the diet, to which a particular dog may have an individual allergy. Therefore, you should carefully choose this fermented milk product. It is best if the fat content of kefir was 3.5%. When buying yogurt, you should choose “sour milk” with a short shelf life.

It is highly not recommended to give fermented baked milk and yoghurts with sweet fruits to four-legged pets.

Vegetables

These products also fall into the category of what you can feed your dog. Four-legged pets can be fed carrots, bell peppers, pumpkins, zucchini, cabbage, beets and cucumbers. Greens will also be useful.

It is recommended to give your dog one clove of garlic every 7 days. It contains the necessary components that have a positive effect on the animal’s immunity. It’s not for nothing that it’s called a “natural antibiotic.” It is also useful to feed your dog a couple of spoons of homemade sauerkraut 2-3 times a week. It contains a large amount of ascorbic acid.

Also, experts’ recommendations on how to properly feed dogs state that vegetables and herbs can be given to animals exclusively in their raw form. In this case, it is recommended to grate the ingredients on a coarse grater.

In the summer, many owners take their pets to the dacha, where the animals independently find edible greens and feast on them. In this case, there is no point in adding additional vegetables to your pet’s diet. When it comes to nutrition, you should always know when to stop.

It is also worth considering that greens and vegetables can be given separately or together with meat. Any other combination is prohibited. If you mix fermented milk products with natural herbs, it can cause indigestion.

It is also worth noting that four-legged friends love to feast on fresh vegetables or unsweetened fruits. They contain natural fiber.

But it is not recommended to give exotic fruits and vegetables to pets.

Eggs and butter

These products can also be safely included in your pet’s diet. Raw eggs can be given to dogs, chicken or quail. Also, pet owners often wonder if the dog is a month old, what to feed? In this case, it will be very useful to add raw eggs to the milk and give it to the puppy several times a week. They contain protein, which is so necessary for a young animal.

If we talk about oil, then you can introduce both unrefined and sunflower, pumpkin, flax or olive products into your diet. It’s better to avoid exotic things too.

Bran

They are also a source of fiber, so these components can be given in place of or along with vegetables.

Bran contains a large amount of dietary fiber, which has a positive effect on peristalsis. In addition, fiber helps improve the microflora of the intestinal tract.

If we talk about how to properly feed dogs bran, it is recommended to add it to fermented milk foods or meat. However, the first option is preferable, since it is in milk that these components swell quickly. Once in the animal’s body, bran retains moisture and passes further through the intestinal tract.

However, you need to buy bran in its original form. If you purchase crispy sticks or other treats that contain these ingredients, they will most likely also contain salt, dyes and flavors.

Fruits and dried fruits

First of all, when determining how to feed dogs correctly, it is worth considering that giving sweets to animals is not recommended. Accordingly, almost all fruits must be excluded from the pet’s diet. The only exception is green sour apples. However, if your pet wants to eat berries in a suburban area, then you shouldn’t restrict him from doing so.

Bones

Dogs love to play with them so much, and many owners begin to worry whether they should give their pets such treats. In fact, bones contain huge amounts of calcium and phosphorus. These components are necessary for dogs to develop full-fledged dental apparatus. In addition, bones are recommended for pets suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.

It is recommended to give bone ends to large dogs. Smaller breeds have a miniature body, so spongy chicken bones are suitable for them. It is important to take into account that the delicacy cannot be boiled. Bones are given to dogs exclusively in raw form. Boiled delicacy is much less digestible by the stomach. In addition, such bones can cause gastrointestinal obstruction.

Prebiotics

Preparations containing bifidobacteria and lactobacilli have a positive effect on the functioning of the animal’s gastrointestinal tract. In addition, they promote better absorption of food.

Prebiotics are not digested in the body; instead, they create a special nutrient substrate in the stomach. The growth of beneficial “living” microorganisms begins in it. If the prebiotic environment is absent in the animal’s body, then the volume of beneficial bacteria drops sharply. Because of this, pathogenic strains, E. coli, fungi and much more begin to actively multiply in the intestines. All these components can quickly lead to dysbiosis.

Bread and cereals

In dogs, the digestive system is no different from the structure of the body of wild predators. And they, as you know, are accustomed not to swallow food, but to tear it into pieces and swallow them whole. To do this, the pet's jaw must be fully developed. Therefore, it is not recommended to feed your pets pureed food and fine-grained porridge (for example, semolina). In this case, the pet's jaw apparatus will be weakened.

But what kind of porridge can you feed your dog? If your pet does not suffer from allergic reactions, then periodically you can give him well-cooked chicken fillet mixed with buckwheat, rice, oatmeal or millet.

If we talk about whether dogs can eat bread, then such food will be completely useless for the pet. The fact is that bread products and pasta contain exclusively easily digestible carbohydrates. Dogs require complex ones. Such components are found in vegetables and bran.

Dry food

This is the most common type of food preferred by pet owners. First of all, it is worth answering the question of whether a dog can eat cat food. You need to remember that giving your pet food intended for another type of animal is strictly prohibited. The structure of a cat's and a dog's body is very different. Therefore, even if a dog asks for cat food or forcibly takes it away from a fluffy cat, it is imperative to stop such habits.

If we talk about what kind of food to feed your dog, then it is advisable to give your pet only dry food. Especially if the dog drinks a lot of water. Canned food contains more natural products; in addition, they are much better absorbed by the pet’s stomach.

Many people are also interested in what food to feed their dog, or rather, what brand of food to choose. If your pet suffers from allergies or periodic vitamin deficiencies, then it is recommended to buy specialized products labeled “Holistic”. Also, you should not buy economy-class food. This diet contains a large number of chemical additives, dyes and emulsifiers. There are practically no natural products there.

If we talk about how to feed a dog dry food, then it should be given in its pure form. If you mix such nutrition with natural food, it can cause an imbalance. It is especially not recommended to combine “packed rations” with fermented milk products.

If your dog doesn't drink enough water, dry food can be soaked in water. However, you should often not do this, otherwise the animal’s jaws may weaken from food that is too soft.

When choosing how to feed your dog dry food, you should give preference to well-known manufacturers. In this case, you need to carefully read the composition on the packaging. If it does not indicate natural meat, then it is better not to buy such food.

Most common mistakes

In the process of feeding pets, owners often overfeed their four-legged pets. Even if we are talking about natural nutrition, an excess of some components may cause the animal to experience discomfort. In addition, pets get fat from eating too often, just like people.

If we talk about how many times a day to feed a dog as an adult, then it all depends on its age and size. Young animals are fed in small portions, but often. Older pets need to be fed less often. In this case, you need to monitor the contents of your pet’s bowl. If, after eating, some of the food remains in it, then this automatically indicates that the animal is overfed. Therefore, the portion must be reduced. In addition, it is not recommended to constantly fill the bowl with food. The animal must understand that the amount of food is limited.

How many times a day should I feed my dog ​​after it arrives in its new home?

Small puppies aged 1 to 2 months need to be fed at least 5 times a day, every 3 hours. At night, the dog needs to be taught to sleep, so in the dark it is better not to fill the bowl with food. The serving size should be increased as the animal gains body weight. At the same time, the number of feedings is gradually reduced. When your pet turns 4 months old, he should eat no more than 4 times a day. At the age of 6-7 months, the puppy receives food 2-3 times a day. When the pet turns 12 months old, it will be considered an adult, so it needs to be transferred to two meals a day with increasing portions.

When should you not feed your dog natural food?

Any food, even the most healthy, should be limited. For example, in order for meat to be absorbed normally by the body, a lot of effort is required on the part of the gastrointestinal tract. If you give it constantly, it will lead to increased stress. In turn, dry food is digested and absorbed very quickly. It goes through quite a thorough processing on the production line, so by and large it can be considered already partially digested.

You should also refuse natural food if the animal suffers from serious gastrointestinal diseases. In this case, the body will not be able to fully cope with heavy nutrition. If you feed your pets natural products, the gastric patency will worsen, which can lead to more serious consequences.

When can you introduce natural food into your pet’s diet?

Puppies can start feeding meat from 3 weeks of age. It is also not recommended to cook meat products for children. However, scraped meat can be given. It's very easy to prepare. For example, you can take a piece of frozen meat and grate it on a coarse grater when it has thawed a little. Also at this age, you can give meat products along with milk, gradually reducing the content of “fermented milk”.

Dogs can be fed vegetables from 2 months of age. At the same time, they need to be thoroughly crushed. You can also start giving your puppy a source of natural fiber - bran. The dose of these components is very easy to calculate - 1 teaspoon per 20 kg of pet’s weight. If we are talking about a very small puppy, then they usually give him bran “at the tip of a knife.”

Of course, you should not feed your dogs expired or spoiled food. If after eating the animal feels unwell, then you need to show it to a doctor.