Before every dog owner, the question invariably arises: how to feed his four-legged pet? Some tend to opt for dry foods or canned foods.
This solution is convenient for the owner. After all, you do not need to waste time choosing products, as well as preparing a complete meal. But many breeders prefer a natural diet.
Let's take a look at what feeding principles are recommended by veterinarians in this case. And also we will analyze what products are suitable for your pet and what proportion you need to introduce them into the daily diet.
Basic rules for feeding a dog
Veterinarians remind you not to mix dry food and organic foods.
The constant use of pellets or canned food leads to a decrease in the number of enzymes produced by the pancreas. Therefore, the abrupt transition to natural food will be a serious burden on the dog's gastrointestinal tract.
Most of the food is not digested and the risk of the formation of putrefactive processes in the intestines increases. The development of gastritis, flatulence and other, unpleasant conditions can also be attributed to the number of unfavorable moments.
Having abandoned the idea of mixing dry and natural feeds in the diet, the owners will also have to learn another important point.
In addition to carbohydrates and fiber, the animal's diet should include vitamins and minerals, a sufficient amount of protein and fat. That is why a balanced diet with natural food is much more difficult than with ready-made diets.
Veterinarians recommend following a few simple rules for a natural diet:
- The amount of food. It is very important not only not to leave your dog hungry, but also not to overfeed him. Observing the animal will allow you to choose the optimal portion;
- Clean up the bowl after eating. After the pet has been offered food, remove the bowl after 15-20 minutes. Regardless of whether the dog ate or not. Such a solution will avoid spoilage of food, and will also help to teach the pet to eat food on time;
- Maintain equal intervals between feedings;
- Do not include salt in the dog's diet;
- Try not to reduce the cost of the animal's diet by replacing quality ingredients with a cheaper analog;
- Diversity. You should not accustom your four-legged pet only to a limited range of products;
- Do not forget about vitamin and mineral complexes. They will help to avoid vitamin deficiency.
This is important: For owners who have no experience in developing a balanced diet, the best solution is to consult a veterinarian.
He will help you choose the right type of feeding, recommend the most suitable products, and also help you calculate their daily allowance, taking into account the physiological state of the pet, its activity, and other factors.
How much food should you give your dog?
How to find the perfect amount of food for your dog? It is necessary to consult with a specialist or carefully observe the behavior of the animal at the time of feeding.
If the dog quickly eats the suggested amount of food and the bowl remains cleanly licked, then the next meal can be slightly increased. If, after 15-20 minutes, part of the food remains in the bowl, then the next portion should be slightly reduced.
This is important: You should carefully observe the four-legged friend. Many individuals are prone to gluttony. The result is excess weight, which negatively affects the state of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and other systems.
When gaining extra pounds, you should increase the physical activity for the dog and reduce the portion.
How to feed your dog
Creating a balanced diet for your four-legged friend is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance.
- It is enough to observe the proportions of the main ingredients:
- Meat, meat products should not be less than 35-50% ;
- Cereals cannot be included in the menu in an amount of more than 25-35% ;
- Dairy products make up 25-30% of the dog's daily diet;
- Vegetables and fruits are included in the menu in the amount of about 15% of the total mass.
This is important: Veterinarians are reminded not to go to extremes and sometimes be afraid to slightly change the ratio of products.
For example, one day you can refuse dairy products in favor of meat by-products. Or reduce the number of vegetables in favor of increasing the portion of cottage cheese or kefir.
Meat
By nature, a dog is a predator. And its digestive tract is adapted for the digestion of meat and meat offal.
That is why meat should be the main product in the animal's diet. But there are several rules, following which you can increase the benefits of its use:
- Serve meat offal and meat only thawed. They can be put out of the freezer into the refrigerator in advance. Another option is to boil the food until half-cooked or boil it after the freezer;
- Calculate the optimal amount of meat for your pet. For each kg of weight, it is necessary to give from 15 to 20-25 g of meat per day;
- The right choice of meat. The ideal option is lean beef, rabbit, lamb, or horse meat. Veterinarians strongly recommend refusing pork;
- By-products are good for the body, but they should not be used as a substitute for meat all the time. Meat should be present in the dog's diet on a daily basis. And the offal is only used as a supplement, but not the main ingredient.
This is important: Meat products of dubious quality should not be given to your dog under any circumstances. If the available meat raises doubts about its freshness, then it is better to increase the portion of dairy products and buy fresh the next day.
Bird
Extreme caution should be exercised when using poultry in your dog's daily diet. Many animals have an allergic reaction to meat and by-products from chicken or turkey.
Therefore, before introducing a large number of birds into the daily menu, you should make sure that the pet does not have hypersensitivity to it.
It is impossible to completely replace beef meat with poultry. Only in rare cases is it possible to introduce chicken and turkey into the animal's diet for a short time.
It is optimal to use the bird 1-2 times a week if the dog does not have an allergic reaction and signs of deterioration indigestion.
A fish
Its presence in the diet is a prerequisite for a balanced diet. The optimal solution would be to introduce fish 1-2 times a week.
But you should also follow some simple rules:
- Sea fish can be fed fresh;
- The river must first be boiled. This will eliminate the risk of parasite infestation. An alternative would be to keep it in the freezer for several days.
This is important: Fish contains essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Therefore, its regular use will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the coat, skin, and metabolism of the dog.
The removal of all bones will be an important point. Otherwise, there is a high risk of injury to the gastrointestinal mucosa.
Porridge
The question of which cereals should be chosen for dogs deserves special attention. Veterinarians recommend giving preference to:
- Rice;
- Buckwheat;
- Less often barley and Oatmeal (rolled oats).
Boil cereals in meat broth. For this purpose, dog handlers recommend using beef bones, which give a good broth.
You can also boil cereals in water, and then add 1/3 - 1/2 of the daily meat requirement 5-10 minutes before being ready. The rest of the meat products should be fed to the pet raw.
Among the prohibited cereals, experts include:
- Corn grits;
- All types of legumes;
- Semolina;
- And also pearl barley.
They negatively affect the functioning of the digestive tract and do not have a beneficial effect on metabolism.
Dairy products
Fermented milk products should make up 1/3 of the animal's daily diet. The most suitable veterinarians recognize fermented baked milk, kefir, cottage cheese, sour cream. It is important to choose foods with a low percentage of fat.
Most four-legged pets experience problems with stool when eating high-fat fermented milk products. That is why dog handlers recommend closely monitoring the body's response to fatty foods. With regular relaxation, it is worth abandoning them in favor of less fatty counterparts.
The use of milk as a source of calcium should be avoided. Only a small number of dogs digest this product well. For the majority, it causes indigestion, loose stools, flatulence, and other equally unpleasant manifestations.
Vegetables
Veterinarians recommend giving pets fresh vegetables and fruits without heat treatment.
For example, carrots and cabbage, bell peppers and cucumbers, pumpkin and beets. They are rich in vitamins and minerals and are also a source of fiber. It is she who stimulates the bowels and ensures regular bowel movements.
In order for the dog to calmly eat vegetables, from an early age, gradually accustom him to new tastes. Experienced owners cut vegetables into small pieces and mix them into porridge.
Gradually, the dog gets used to unfamiliar tastes, and already at a more mature age, you can give them in large pieces. Also, it will not be superfluous to mix fresh herbs (dill, parsley) to the finished porridge.
Eggs
They are an excellent source of protein and essential amino acids. If you are confident in the freshness and quality of the product, then you can feed them raw.
When purchasing eggs in stores, many owners pre-boil them to eliminate the risk of infection of the dog.
Fruits and berries
They are a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Therefore, the best solution would be to use fruit as a delicacy.
Citrus fruits should be avoided. They adversely affect the animal's body. They also increase the risk of developing an allergic reaction. The number of fruits and berries can be unlimited.
Bones
Veterinarians recommend using them as a base for making a rich broth. But you shouldn't give it to your pet after that.
On the one hand, bones are a good way to get rid of tartar. But pieces of the bone end up in the digestive tract and can damage it.
A reasonable alternative would be to use artificial bones, which can be purchased at any specialty store, department of a hypermarket, or veterinary pharmacy.
Approximate diet for a dog for a day
Composing a balanced diet for your dog is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Let's take a look at a sample menu for a four-legged pet.
Morning feeding
Fermented milk products (yogurt, fermented baked milk, kefir, cottage cheese, or sour cream) in combination with a small amount of porridge will be an ideal solution. Be sure to add vegetables to the finished porridge.
Evening feeding
Porridge in meat broth, as well as the daily allowance of meat. Additionally, you can give your pet vegetables or fruits. 1-2 times a week, meat should be replaced with fish.
Also, boiled chicken eggs (1 each) should be added to evening feeding a couple of times a week. Or raw quail (3-4 pieces).
This is important: Veterinarians recommend not mixing meat and dairy products in the same feed. And also do not give fish and meat at the same time.
Useful Tips
If your dog flatly refuses to eat fresh vegetables, then you can go for a little trick. Vegetables, lightly boiled or stewed, may suit the taste of the fastidious four-legged pet.
Cynologists advise excluding sweet, smoked, spicy, and salty foods from the pet's diet. And under no circumstances should you mix a natural menu and ready-made rations.
If absolutely necessary, the transition should be gradual so that the dog's body can adapt. The duration of adaptation cannot be less than 14 days.
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