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DIET

Diet/Body Condition - In the wild dogs eat for caloric need, as very young puppies dogs will always do this, but after puberty most American dogs start to eat for pleasure and obesity is a large problem. With a puppy under 4-5 months we recommend that you feed three meals a day, and let them choose the amount, give 20-30 minutes access to food.You do get what you pay for in the pet food market. Generic food is generally very low quality food, name brand diets are researched and balanced, and premium diets have a much better quality of ingredients.

The main reason for set meals is for housebreaking purposes, not because puppies would eat too much. For adults it is best to feed based on body condition - not following what the food bag tells you to feed! Make sure if you use a cup to scoop food that it MEASURES a cup. If they are thin, increase the volume of food, if too fat increase the exercise and reduce the volume of food. Exercise is crucial in maintaining a good weight. To get an idea of your dog's body condition, use your hand as a guide:

When a dog is the proper weight the ribs should be easily palpable just under the skin, but there should be good muscling: Run your fingertip along the knuckles of your flattened hand.

As they become too thin, you can feel too much rib, not enough muscle: Run your fingertip along the knuckles of your fisted hand.

When they are too big you can feel a layer of fat over the ribs: Run your fingertip along the underside of your knuckles of your open palm.


Obesity - There are 2 types of dog who will overeat unenhanced dry dog food, nibblers, and volume eaters. Nibblers initially eat for caloric need but if they are fed too much, they will eventually be tempted to eat. Volume eaters ignore caloric need and just go for a ton in the tummy! Nibblers just need to have the volume of food properly adjusted, volume eating dogs are a little trickier.

The usual approach to low calorie dog food is to make it high fiber and low fat, this is true for most over the counter low calorie diets. The only disadvantage of this is, lots of poop! Smaller more frequent meals and increased exercise and help many dogs. If you are struggling, low calorie people food can also help; vegetables, rice cakes, canned pumpkin and sometimes even ice cubes. What we recommend is try something (prescription diet, calorie restriction, exercise, etc) and weight the dog every month or so, if its not working, try something else!