eminens (CC0), Pixabay
Food is one of the greatest pleasures for dogs. Some dogs are constantly asking for a treat. How not to overfeed the dog in such a situation?
Rarely, the owner who is in love with his dog is able to resist a refined, begging look and not be tempted to feed his pet. So how to feed a dog and not overfeed him?
How not to overfeed the dog, i.e. what does the size of the food portion depend on?
If the animal is not particularly physically active, lives at home, does not suffer from any disorders or is in a physiological condition requiring the supply of more nutrients, for example, is not pregnant or during lactation, when determining the portion of the food, first of all you should pay attention to your pet’s body mass. The serving size also depends on the age of the dog. The older the animal, the slower the metabolic rate becomes. A senior pet usually has lower activity, so it needs fewer calories. For dogs who are seven years old give them food dedicated to aging and old dogs.
How much food do dogs of different breeds need? The demand for food in dogs of different breeds is different, but mainly due to the size of the animal. Body mass determines the size of your daily food ration. The breed itself is less important.
How do you calculate the right amount of food? How to feed a dog so that he is not overfed? Manufacturers of dog food place on the packaging of their product dosage tables based on the dog’s body weight. If the animal receives the so-called complete food in quantities consistent with these recommendations – it should not gain or lose weight. And if the dog is getting more fat folds? You need to make sure that the right amount of food always goes into the bowl. Owners often calculate food by sight. However, this method is flawed. And this is usually in favor of the dog, so you should stock up on kitchen scales and measure the precise amount of food.
Does the type of food affect the portion size?
Definitely yes. Dry dog food is definitely more caloric than wet. It provides three and a half times as many calories as canned food, therefore the suggested portion of such food should be much smaller. You should also pay attention to whether the food served to your dog is complete food. The recipe for this type of product is so balanced that it is the only food that fully satisfies a dog for its demand for all nutrients.
What are the effects of over-heavy meals? Giving too much food to your dog, as well as feeding him treats can be a cause of weight gain, especially if you don’t get the right amount of exercise. We can talk about excess weight when the dog’s body weight exceeds the optimal body weight by 5%, while obesity when it is over 25%.
Additional kilos increase the risk of many diseases, including cardiovascular disorders, obstruct the work of internal organs, contribute to a decrease in immunity and strain the joints.
For pets that should lose a few pounds and those who have a genetic tendency to gain weight, they are, for example, labradors and dachshunds – it is worth giving them dog food made for those with a predisposition to overweight and obesity.
How to feed your dog so that it is full? The dog owner sometimes finds it difficult to judge if the dog is hungry or just greedy. By giving him dry food with a high content of fibre or vegetable fibre, which swell and increase its volume under the influence of water, fills the pet’s tummy, you can reduce its feeling of hunger.
