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What Should My Dog Be Eating?

dog eating kibble
Whether you’re adopting a new fur babe into the family or thinking about switching your dog’s current food, choosing what to feed a dog can be overwhelming. There are seemingly hundreds of available diets and food brands for dogs, which can make it hard to determine what food is best for your canine pal. To make things easy, our friends at Purina put together a list of the most important things to look for when deciding what to feed your dog.

 

Focus on your dog’s nutrition — not yours.

It may be tempting to choose what to feed your dog based on what sounds appealing to you, but it’s important to remember that you and your dog have different nutritional needs. For example, grain-free and gluten-free diets are extremely popular with people, but they may not be the right option for your dog.

 

Your dog’s food should always meet (or surpass) regulatory standards.

Every dog food needs to meet federal (FDA) regulatory standards in order to be sold, and many dog food companies elect to follow guidelines established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Look for a food with a statement on the label that says the food meets AAFCO’s requirements for your dog’s life stage.

 

Pay attention to your dog’s activity level, size, and weight.

When choosing what to feed your dog, think about how active your dog is. Very athletic or working dogs can benefit from a diet with high protein or fat, but if your dog’s only exercise is a short walk around the neighborhood, he might do better on a light or healthy weight dog food. Your dog’s breed and size can also be a factor. Large and giant breed dogs, for example, are more likely to suffer joint problems, so you may want to choose a food formulated with glucosamine, which helps support healthy cartilage.

 

Look for a dog food that’s complete and balanced.

Because dog food makes up the entirety of your dog’s diet, his food has to deliver all of the nutrients he needs to help keep him healthy. That’s why it’s so important to choose a food that is labeled “complete and balanced.”

 

Consider your dog’s food preferences.

When you’re choosing between complete and balanced dog foods, you may want to take your dog’s individual preferences into account. Just like humans, every dog has different taste preferences. Some dogs like salmon while others might prefer veal. That’s why dog foods come in a variety of textures and flavors, so you can find a healthy food your dog is sure to enjoy, whether he likes wet food or dry food, or whether he prefers a classic flavor like chicken or a more unique one like venison.

 

Ready to choose a dog food? Click here to find some foods that may work for your dog.

Why Do Dogs Howl When Left Alone?

Some dogs howl when left alone simply because they are lonely. Dogs are very social, and they want to be around their families. In some cases, howling can be a sign of separation anxiety—a condition that must be properly treated in order to stop it from getting worse over time. If your dog only howls when left alone, it’s probably loneliness or anxiety. On the other hand, some dogs are just very vocal and will howl whether you’re there or not. 

Helping My Dog With Loneliness 

No good pet owner likes the idea of leaving their dog alone—and hearing them howl as you pull out of the driveway only make the guilt worse. While you may not be able to quit your job and spend the entire day pampering your pooch, there are some things you can do to help ease his loneliness.

  • Try doggy daycare or hiring a dog sitter. Daycare is great for dogs who enjoy playing with other dogs to get lots of exercise and be happier and less anxious on days when they are left at home.
  • Leave him treat puzzles and other interactive toys. Keeping his mind occupied is a good way to ease his loneliness.
  • Consider a second dog to be his companion. This way, he will never have to be alone!
  • Check out more tips to help your dog’s loneliness in our blog article here. 

Dealing With Separation Anxiety 

If the howling is accompanied by destructive behavior, escape attempts, and excessive chewing, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety. This is not something that will get better on its own. In fact, when left untreated, it often gets worse. Treatment depends on the severity of the anxiety, so talk to your vet or a qualified animal behaviorist for advice about how to help your dog if you suspect separation anxiety.

Some breeds howl more than others, but if your dog becomes vocal only when he’s alone, these tips may help to ease his loneliness. 

Worlds of Wonder contest

wowImg3We wanted to let you know about the Worlds of Wonder contest being put on by Friskies. The four grand prizes are valued at $8,500 to $10,000. If you win, you’ll choose one of four adventures: Signature Blend Mountain Ranch Adventure (at the pet-friendly Triple Creek Ranch in Montana), Seafood Sensations Paradise Island Adventure (at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas), Indoor Delights Tree House Adventure (at The Tree House Lodge in Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica) or the Feline Favorites Build-Your-Own Adventure (Awarded in the form of a $10,000 gift certificate to Carlson Travel). There are also two types of online instant-win prizes: A coupon for Friskies 3.15-lb dry cat food up to $4.97 each (6,624 total, 24 available per day) or a very cute Friskies-Branded Cat Food Bowl, Average Retail Value $17.50 each (2,760 total, 10 available per day). We like those kind of odds of winning! To enter the contest read on…

To Enter the Contest: First you need a Game code. Game codes are inside specially-marked 3.15 lb bags of Friskies dry cat food, and available via mail for free. (Details at http://www.friskies.com/Worlds-of-Wonder/Faqs/Default.aspx#sweeps). Then you have to join their free club for cat-lovers. All fields are required, and you’ll need to choose a unique user name. Then, you have to play four times to be entered to win one of the four grand prizes. You have from now until 1/31/10 to play.

Got your code and you’re ready? Enter on their website at http://friskies.com/Worlds-of-Wonder/Default.aspx.

Will A Dog Eat Itself To Death?

It would be highly unusual for a dog to eat himself to death, but some dogs will certainly overeat if given the chance. Free feeding is a common practice among pet owners, and it may work for some dogs who will stop eating when satisfied. Other dogs, however, will continue to eat until they make themselves sick. Fatalities from gorging are extremely rare. That being said, bloat is a serious condition that can be caused by eating too much too quickly and can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Problems With Overeating

While your dog isn’t likely to eat himself to death in one sitting, long-term overeating can certainly shorten his life and lead to a myriad of medical conditions including:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart Disease
  • Arthritis 

As is the case with humans, ensuring your dog eats a proper balanced diet is important to his good health. If your dog tends to overeat, then free feeding is not the way to go. Instead, you’ll want to put out measured amounts of food two or three times a day.

Why Do Some Dogs Overeat?

Like humans, some dogs tend to eat until satisfied while others overeat anytime they have the chance. There is no one simple answer as to why some dogs overeat, but potential causes include:

  • Boredom
  • Anxiety
  • Former food deprivation
  • Hormone imbalances 

No matter the reason, curbing your pet’s overeating is important in order to help him maintain optimal health. Free feeding may be convenient, but if your dog doesn’t know when to stop, then it’s detrimental to his health.

Even though your dog isn’t likely to eat himself to death in one sitting, long-term overeating could lead to serious health consequences. If you’re not sure how much or how often your pet should be eating, talk to your vet for advice specific to your dog. 

 

Why is Obesity so Dangerous for Pets?

Purina-Dog-Content-Brand Obesity is just as dangerous for pets as it is for humans. The extra pounds weigh on an animal’s cardiovascular and respiratory systems, exacerbating existing problems and causing new ones. Fat cats and dogs are also prone to injury, more at risk in surgery, and predisposed to conditions such as diabetes. And the laundry list of problems doesn’t end there. Decreased stamina, diminished immune function, and digestive disorders are all potential consequences of obesity.

Being severely overweight can significantly diminish your cat or dog’s quality of life. So when your porky pet pleads with you for an extra treat, remember that saying no may be the kindest response.

Why Is My Dog Peeing Everywhere?

Some reasons your dog may be peeing everywhere include medical conditions, improper training, fear, or infrequent walks. If the pet is a puppy or a dog that is new to your home, you’ll need to exercise some patience as some dogs take longer to train than others. If a housebroken pet has started peeing everywhere, you’ll need to try to pinpoint a reason.

Common Reasons For Inappropriate Urination 

Once your dog is properly housebroken, he shouldn’t start urinating in the house unless there is an underlying reason. These may include:

Medical Conditions

This is a common cause of a trained dog to start peeing throughout the house. Medical conditions that can cause this behavior include urinary tract infections, kidney issues, bladder stones, diabetes, and certain injuries. In many cases, dogs will show no other symptoms, so you should make a vet appointment as soon as you notice that the dog is urinating in the house.

Submission

This is most common in puppies, but it can occur at any age. If someone startles the dog, reaches for, or scolds the dog, he may urinate out of fear or to show his submission.

Marking

You can recognize marking as it tends to be very small amounts of urine in certain places. Spaying or neutering can help, and the earlier you fix your pet, the less likely they are to mark.

Infrequent Walks

An easy-to-fix issue is that your dog simply isn’t being let out enough. If you’re gone for 8+ hours a day, your dog may not always be able to hold it until you return home. If putting in a doggy door is not a feasible solution, consider hiring a dog walker to stop by each day.
Until you can figure out and address the reason, you’ll want to be sure to use an enzymatic cleaner to fully eliminate the odor left behind by the urine. If you don’t, the dog will be attracted to urinate in that spot again—as may other of your household pets.

The good news is that the behavior can usually be successfully addressed either by the owner, the vet, or, in some cases, an animal behaviorist. 

Why is Flea and Tick Control So Important?

Purina-Dog-Content-Brand Fleas and ticks are tiny pests that can cause big problems, and the damage isn’t just skin deep. Animals can ingest fleas containing tapeworm eggs, which then hatch in their intestines. In a flea-ridden area, the same thing can happen to a child.

Ticks can also carry a variety of diseases, including Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichiosis.

Risks vary by region, but Mike Paul, Executive Director of the Companion Animal Parasite Council says no risk is acceptable, so pet owners should be vigilant about flea and tick control.

Paul states, “what we’re trying to do is to get people to say, ‘well, not in my back yard,’ you know, and to keep their pets clean and their yards clean and make sure that their kids stay healthy.”

Why Does My Dog Yawn so Much?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandIf you’ve ever wondered why your dog yawns so much, even when he’s well-rested, the answer may surprise you. When your dog yawns a lot, it could be a sign that he’s nervous and trying to relax himself. Yawning is one way that dogs communicate. So just as you might bite your fingernails when you’re nervous, a dog might yawn to calm himself down.

Owners can use this behavior to their advantage. By smacking their own lips and yawning, owners can signal to their pets that everything is okay. Try it sometime if your dog appears stressed. Get his attention, smack your lips, and show your dog a nice, big yawn. It may help calm your pooch down.

Why Does My Dog Have Such Bad Breath?

Purina-Dog-Content-BrandYour pet’s bad breath can be a real turn-off. It can also be a sign of a harmful condition. Dental and periodontal diseases are the most common reasons for stinky breath, so brush your dog’s teeth regularly to help prevent bacterial infections and inflamed gums.

There can also be more serious reasons for bad breath. For example, if it smells like urine, your dog could have kidney disease. Liver disease can also cause halitosis. So if your pup has dragon breath, make sure he doesn’t lose his appetite, vomit, or develop yellow eyes or gums.

Pay attention to excessively sweet breath, too. Coupled with excessive thirst or urination, it can be a sign of diabetes. So no matter how much you want to stay away, keep a close eye on a dog with bad breath.