Overweight Dogs – How To Avoid This Problem
Dog Foods and Feeding Schedules
I found this great article in our local paper with good information from the American Kennel Club. The AKC warns that excess weight endangers the heart, lungs and joints and makes a dog more susceptile to other ailments. Here are some feeding rules:
Consider what stage of development your pet is at when you plan their diet – Puppies eat more and are highly active, adult dogs have normal routines and food intake, and older dogs might require special diets and limited exercise.
Have regular mealtimes - An irregular eating schedule can affect your dog’s digestive system and ultimately cause chronic digestive disorders. Digestive problems can usually be improved by a change in diet.
Dogs don’t easily adjust to a time-zone change or daylight savings time – To prepare your dog for a time change, gradually adjust her eating schedule over a few weeks.
It is important that your dog’s water and food bowls are kept in the same place every day – If you have more than one dog, make sure each dog has its own food and water bowl.
Don’t worry about your dog getting hungry between meals – Your dog needs only one or two meals daily if fed on a regimented schedule and receives a balanced diet.
Set a 30 minute rule – If your dog has walked away from its bowl, it has probably had enough to eat. Discard the remaining food since exposed dog food is unsanitary.
Resist giving your dog people food – A begging dog can be hard to resist, but your dog doesn’t know how dangerous the meal you’re eating can be. Grapes, raisins, chocolate and onions are among foods that can be toxic to your dog in large enough quantities. Sometimes excessive fat in meats or dairy products can cause digestive distress.
Don’t over-treat or over-supplement your dog – Too many treats will lead to excess pounds. Too many vitamins also can have unintended consequences. Ask your vet before starting your dog on a regimen of supplements.
See our related post about Pet Food Additives
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Dog Dehydration and Feline Dehydration
Signs of Dehydration
With summer coming soon, it is time to post information about dehydration in pets. According to the vets writing in The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats by the editors of Prevention Magazine Health books it is important to maintain constant fluid levels. Symptoms of dehydration include a dry mouth, sunken eyes, loss of elasticity in the skin and extreme exhaustion. This condition always requires a veterinarian’s care. So to prevent your pet from getting dehydrated this summer follow these tips:
Always have water available – As you may or may not know, pets do not really sweat. Most of their water is lost through panting. The vets recommend keeping two bowls filled with water in case one gets knocked over when you are not around.
No guzzling – If your pet has gone for a long time without drinking, letting them drink lots of water all at once may result in vomiting. Vomiting will cause your pet to lose even more fluid. Take the bowl after your pet has a had a few laps. Wait a minute or two and let them have some more.
Give electrolytes – Dehydration can cause your pet to lose electrolytes (minerals such as potassium and sodium that transmit electrical impulses throughout the body). You can give your pet an electrolyte rich drink such as Pedialyte or get an electrolyte solution at your local grocery store or drug store.
Try a sports drink – If your pet is uninterested in drinking, you can try giving them a sports drink that contains electrolytes such as Gatorade. Vets say some pets like sweet, fruity flavors.
Try ice – Pets that have gone too long without water may have trouble keeping fluids down. You know how when you having been throwing up, you eat ice chips until your stomach can tolerate liquid? It works the same for pets but you use an ice cube they can lick. That way your pet takes in fluid slowly.
Check the mouth – Sometime dogs or cats will not drink because something hurtful is stuck in their mouth, like a burr. If your pet is not drinking take a careful look (don’t get bit). If you can’t get the thing out, call the vet for advice.
Keep water with you at all times - You can get a no spill water bowl or keep a collapsible pet bowl that fits inside a pants pocket as well as variety of spill-proof containers. Check online sources and local pet stores.
Quick test for dehydration – Gently lift the skin along your pet’s back. If it snaps back into place your pet is okay, if it stands up in a ridge it is an emergency. Take your pet to the vet immediately.
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