feeding dogs

Regardless of what anyone says, I think treats are a necessity for dogs. Especially for young dogs who are in the process of being trained. A treat is a reward for good behavior. A treat can be our way of doing something nice for our dog to show them that we love them. If you enroll your dog in a trainer class, most of the time the trainer will advise you to keep some small treats in your pocket to reward your dog with when he masters a good behavior.

Some people enjoy giving treats, while others believe it is up there with table scraps and contributes the weight gain. I say as long as it is done in moderation and only given when called for, treats are great for your dog.

There are many kinds of treats. There are the biscuits that are great to use for dog training and other situations. Then there are rawhides, or pig ears for your dog. You can make your own treats and there are even stores out there that specialize in pet treats.

I always make sure I keep my dogs treat box full of biscuits. I usually will give him a treat after he does his business outside and on other occasions. If we have company and he is good and does not get over excited, he gets a treat. When we have, what I call our review time for things he learned at the trainer all those years ago, he gets a treat. I even keep some treats in my pocket for when we take walks and he knows to come to a full stop at a street corner. I buy your basic treats. I don’t get any of those treats that say they are going to cure bad breath, or fight tarter for my dogs teeth.

Some dog owners make their own treats. Some of the loyal followers of the raw food diet will make their treats based on the diet. Some recipes are easier to make than others and if I make mine treats as I do once in a while, I try to stick to basic easy to follow recipes. A favorite of my dog has been peanut butter and yogurt. I just melt the peanut butter and mix in the yogurt and then freeze it overnight. A big benefit of homemade dog treats is that you know exactly what is going into your dogs mouth because you are the one making it for him. It sort of follows the same point of following the raw food diet. You can find books that contain dog treat recipes and there are even some on websites. A few of my favorites are:

HOMEMADE DOG TREATS
1 cup warm water
1 ½ tablespoon canola oil
1 ¾ cup flour
1 ¼ cup oatmeal
¼ cup of all natural peanut butter

Mix oil and water together and add other ingredients. Shape into a tube a child for one hour. Slice into ¼ biscuits and cook at 300 degrees for 50 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

FROSTY PAWS
1 32 oz container of vanilla yogurt
1 mashed banana
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons natural peanut butter.

Mix all ingredients together and fill a muffin tin. Freeze for a few hours and then store in an airtight container. Heat in microwave for a few seconds before serving.

Cheesy Dog Cookies
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup canola oil
4-5 tablespoons of water

Combine everything but the water you can mix in a food processor until it has the same consistency of cornmeal. Then add in the water until a ball is form. Roll into ½” thickness and cut into biscuits. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet.

There are countless more that you can find and even talk to your vet about. I tend to stick to the easier recipes due to the time constraint but there are more gourmet recipes out there for you dog.

There are times when I have to step up the treats and give my dog a rawhide bone. There are many conflicting opinions out there on rawhides. Some feel that they are the best treat because they help fight plaque and tarter on your dogs teeth. Some feel that they are great for puppies because they stimulate the growth of their adult teeth. Even better, your puppy will chew on the bone instead of your shoes.

On the flip side, some feel that rawhides are dangerous for your dog. For starters rawhides are not digestible by your dog and in some extreme cases can cause a blockage if a particular large piece or pieces was swallowed. There can be a choking hazard associated with rawhides. Large pieces can get wedged in a dogs throat. Some people say that the rawhides treats will scratch your dogs throat when they are digested.

I have always given my dogs rawhides treats and have never had a problem. There are instances where problems have arisen and there are many different circumstances around them. Sometimes the dogs that are what I like to call chew hounds, tend to inhale the rawhides and are at the most risk for choking. If you have a dog that is a chew hound, you might want to keep rawhides from him or at least give him the kind that are twisted or knotted. These are a little harder to chew because they are thicker. You also have to make sure you have the right size bone for your dog. A large breed dog is not going to do well with a small rawhide. That is why dogs choke, they chew on bones that are not meant for them.

How about pigs ears? Yes, they usually are real pig ears and they can smell awful but our dogs gobble them up. This is another favorite subject debate amongst many dog owners and vets. Some people refuse to give them to their dog because there have been instances in the past where pig ears that came into the USA had salmonella poisoning. Though steps have been taken to reassure that this does not happen again people are very hesitant to give their dog pig ears as treats. Some people claim that pig ears are to fattening for their dogs.

On the other end of the fence, pigs ears are all natural pork which is a big selling point for some owners. Another pro that has been said about pig ears is that they are tasty and tantalizing. I’m not sure what pet owner tested them to see if this is true or not, but I’ll take their word for it. As for me, pigs ears are going no where near my mouth. Another pro is that they will not splinter or crack which is a big problem with some rawhides out there. Some people also feel that the fat content in the pig ears is good because it promotes a healthy coat and healthy skin. Pig ears are also 100% digestible so there is no need to worry about any sort of blockage.

I will admit, I hate the smell and touching pig ears, but my golden absolutely loves them. They are special treats that I reserve for every now and then. He does not get one everyday. A lot of people say that giving a pigs ear once a day is fine, but my dog gets one a few times a month and that is it.

Last year, in the winter of 06, there was a big uproar about a brand of treats called “Greenies” allegedly killed nearly 13 dogs. Greenies are a brand of dog treats that are designed to help clean teeth. They come highly recommended by vets and my vet swore by them when I complained about my dogs breath. What happened with these Greenies nearly 2 years so is that the treat became lodged the dog’s esophagus and intestine and do not break down. Greenies were always marketed as being 100% digestible, but at that point, there was doubt about how digestible these treats really were. There were also instances where the dogs were choking on the Greenies. The company that makes Greenies states that the treat is 100% safe as long as people are giving their dog the correct size. Add to the fact that they save dogs lives by preventing periodontal disease which can lead to death in dogs. Greenies come in at least 5 to 7 different sizes for different size dogs. It was a tough time and it still is a tough decision to call if you should give your dog Greenies.

As for me personally, I gave my Golden Greenies a few times and I never noticed a difference in his teeth. Then again I’m no vet, so I do not know what to look for, but I can tell you that his breath still stunk even after the Greenies. To me, they are no big deal. My dog loved them. He devoured it in about 7 minutes flat. Even though I know if helps with their teeth, I watch I give my dog to eat now to prevent any sort of teeth problems. Occasionally if I’m feeling really daring, I will brush his teeth

Treats are a very important part of dogs nutrients I think. Almost all pet owners gives their dogs treats. It is our way of showing our dogs they are special and that we love them. It is a way to show them that we love them. Have you ever really watched a dog when he gets a treat or just before he gets one. Their tails are usually wagging triple time and you can see the anticipation on their faces. It is a great sight. Why deny your dog treats? As long as you are not overdoing the treats, there is no reason for your dog to gain any extra weight from them which can put your mind at rest when you are giving your dog treats.

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It is bound to happen and it is never fun when it does. Suddenly one day we notice that our dog does not come bounding to the door to greet us as often as he once did. Instead he is curled up sleeping in his favorite spot. Or one day we notice that he tires out faster on a walk or does not want to play his favorite game outside. You might even notice on the darker fur dogs, shades of gray coming through on their coat? Your dog is entering the final stages of his life, and that is becoming a senior.

When should you consider your dog a senior, is it when the above symptoms start happening or is their a guideline to follow? Your vet will tell you that your dog is considered a senior when they are in the last third of their life expectancy. A Golden Retriever that is expected to live until they are roughly 13 usually enters senior hood around 8 or 9 years old. Poodles usually live 15 years enters their senior hood at around 10 years old. Other changes you might see that will clue you in to your dog’s age is that you might find your dog being a little bit clumsier then before. It is not uncommon for sudden blindness and hearing loss to accompany a dog on their trip through the senior years. It is not a bad idea to see your vet to make sure that this is what is going on with your dog and not something else.

Once your dog gets older, you will also notice a decrease in activity. They simply do not have the energy they once did. You might want to cut back on the amount of food you were feeding your dog to help prevent weight gain in those last years. You can if you really want purchase a specially formulated senior diet dog food. But double check with your vet. Some of those diet foods or senior foods can contain a lot of protein and if your dog is in renal failure, you do not want to give them any extra protein.

Your dog also has more of a chance of becoming constipated once it becomes a senior. Their stomach and digestive system do not work as well as it used to. So make sure you have plenty of fiber in your dogs diet. A good amount of fiber is between 3% and 5%. Also make sure they have plenty of fresh water. Water can help with the constipation. Make sure you take note of your dog when they are trying to do their business. Is it harder for them than usual? If so, talk to you vet to find the best solution to help your dog.

Keep feeding your dog supplements. It is a known fact that there a lot of breeds are prone to arthritis once they become seniors. It is one of the fears we have for our golden retriever. Golden Retrievers are known for developing arthritis and hip problems later in life. You want to make sure you keep those joints healthy so they can get around. Most vets will recommend a daily supplement containing glucosamine and chondroitin. Both of these nutrients will help your dog’s arthritis. Vitamins also work because older dog’s bodies tend to absorb fewer vitamins and electrolytes through their intestinal tract and lose them. Also some dogs will eat less once they are older and are depriving themselves of much needed vitamins. You also want to make sure you give your senior dog plenty of essential fatty acids. These can help with the effect of arthritis.

One of the most common problems owners of older dogs report is how hard it is to feed their dogs . Their dog will suddenly stop eating and a frantic call to the vet is placed. While it could be something serious, chances are it has to do with your dog’s teeth and mouth. Their teeth are getting old and they may have a hard time chewing food like they used to. You could try giving them smaller kibble or moistening the food with water to soften it up a little bit.
Sometimes an older dog will no longer find their food as appealing as it once was. Try adding a little bit of cooked chicken and broth or boiled eggs to the food. Some vets will give you the ok to add very small amounts of bacon drippings, or hamburger grease to your dogs food.

When your dog has reached its senior years, it is not the time to skimp on dog food. Give him the best dog food you can afford. Some people report beginning to try the BARF diet (bones and raw food diet) because the raw food is easier for seniors to chew and the vegetables that are part of this diet are usually pureed, therefore easier for them to eat. The BARF diet is an excellent diet to follow because of all the natural nutrients that are included and some people say that the BARF diet has helped their dog gain back some of its energy. Other benefits include helping with arthritis and weight gain that seems to be so common in older dogs. Of course not all seniors will take to the raw food diet, so it really is up to you on what to do. Though again, the benefits greatly out way the chance that they might not like it, so it is worth a shot.

Some people tend to up the table scraps for their senior dogs. A part of them feels almost guilty that they know the end of their time together is approaching and wants to indulge them those last few years. While their hearts are in the right place, it is really not a good idea to do this. This could cause more problems in your dog then it might already have.

Watching your dog grow old is not always an easy thing to do, giving him the best diet possible might help make this a more comfortable time in his life.

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Yes you should, but they do not have to be the way you think. Usually you will get extra vitamins for your dog at their first puppy visit. There are many reasons why your dog should get vitamins and why they might need extra vitamins. All dogs have different nutritional requirements and not all dog food

There are many reasons to give your dog vitamins range from the fact that all dogs have different nutritional requirements to your dogs food not having enough. Even if your dog is on the raw food diet, they still might need additional nutrients depending on their breed sometimes. Older dogs especially need vitamin supplements because they are not eating as much food as they used to and could be lacking certain nutrients.

So what kind of vitamins do dogs need? Well, it helps to know what each vitamin is for. Vitamin A is for the skin. This might help prevent flaky skin and irritable skin in your dogs. Vitamin D is your dogs bone and teeth. Breeds like golden retrievers who are very susceptible to arthritis and hip problems will probably benefit greatly from taking a supplement of vitamin d. Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin and Vitamin K is the blood clotting vitamin. You also have vitamin b which is for healthy muscles, skin and blood and then vitamin C which is a vitamin for stress and antioxidant.

Some people will argue that a good quality pet food will contain all the vitamins and nutrients your dog needs. Others will tell you that is simply not true. The cooking process that some of the pre made dog foods go through might kill essential nutrients that are needed. While most pet foods will contain the “average” amount of recommended vitamins, they do not provide additional vitamins for protection against diseases.

Vitamins help regulated your dogs metabolism. Vitamins fall into two categories. One is water soluble (vitamin B and C) which have to be replenished every day. Vitamins A, D, E and K are what’s known as fat soluble vitamins. They are stored in fatty tissue and the liver and do not need to be replenished daily.

Also included in these supplements are minerals. Minerals keep our dogs body fluids balanced. Your dog needs minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium (just a little) and potassium just like we do. You need to be careful though with minerals because they can affect each other if too much is taken.

When we talk about vitamins we do not just mean the pills that you can get from your vet. We are also talking about adding certain foods to their diets to make sure they are getting enough vitamins. If you are following the raw food diet, you want to make sure your dog gets a variety of vegetables to keep their vitamin intakes up.

If you are not giving your dog a vitamin or supplement, take a good long hard look at him. If you see he is losing weight, has skin lesions, or losing his fur he might have a vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is apparent when your dog loses some of his muscle tone. If you notice your dog might have a vitamin deficiency, talk to your vet to find out for sure. Your vet will either suggest that your dog begins to take the necessary vitamin or for you to change his food.

Most of the time vitamins deficiencies are more common in packaged dog food that you can get from your local supermarket. This is why it is important to read the labels on the dog food you buys if that is your feeding method. You want to make sure it contains all the vitamins your dog needs. If it does not, and you do not feel comfortable going to the raw food diet, talk to your vet about giving your dog vitamin supplements to keep him healthy.

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