Page 316 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CARE AND TRAINING | MONITORING FEEDING LEVELS

Monitoring feeding levels

As with humans, animals can develop health problems due to overeating
or a poor diet. Make sure your dog eats the right amount of good-quality food
to maintain an optimal weight for his breed or size.

GOOD FEEDING HABITS Anti-gorge bowl King Charles Spaniel (see p.278). However,
Adopting good habits from the start will do The anti-gorge bowl any dog can get fat with too much high-
does not allow dogs
much to help you avoid feeding issues as to take large bites of energy food and too little exercise.
your dog grows. Follow these guidelines: food because they must Overfeeding your dog can lead to heart
eat around the molded
■ Set regular meal times. shapes. This results in problems, diabetes, and painful joints. In
■ Check that fresh drinking water is a slower, more relaxed particular, for breeds that have large bodies
feeding time.
available at all times. and thin legs (such as the Rottweiler (see
■ Make sure you wash the food bowls p.83) or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (see
Lumpy
before every use. protrusions p.214)), weight coupled with exercise can
■ Clear away food bowls when your dog has cause ligament problems.
finished eating, especially if feeding moist To prevent weight problems in your dog:
canned or homemade foods. work around as he eats, slowing him down. ■ Feed for your dog’s age, size, and activity
■ Don’t feed your dog the same things that This can help prevent digestive problems level (see pp.312–13).
you eat—his needs are different, and some such as gas, vomiting, and indigestion. ■ Be extra vigilant about feeding titbits to
foods for humans, such as chocolate, can your dog; don’t feed scraps from the table,
be poisonous to dogs (see p.344). PREVENTING OBESITY and never give in if he begs for food.
■ If you alter your dog’s diet, make changes Dogs are scavengers and tend to eat ■ Weigh smaller dogs at home on bathroom
gradually to avoid stomach upsets. whatever is placed in front of them because scales. If your dog is large, ask to have him
they do not know when they might next weighed at your vet’s office.
EATING TOO FAST? find food. For pet dogs with regular access ■ Keep an eye on your dog’s body shape—
It is natural for your dog to eat fast because to plentiful food, this natural trait has led this can be just as helpful as weighing him.
in the wild this would stop other pack to a high incidence of excess weight gain. If you are concerned, take a snapshot each
members from stealing his food. Try using Some dog breeds are prone to put on week to monitor changes in his shape.
an anti-gorge bowl. This has lumpy weight, such as the Basset Hound (see ■ Ask your vet about a balanced diet for
protrusions in the base that your dog has to p.146), Dachshund (see p.170), and Cavalier weight loss if your dog becomes fat.

A healthy weight
You need to check your dog’s condition regularly to ensure that
he is not too fat or too thin. Body shapes differ between breeds,
so find out what is normal for your dog’s breed. If you are not
sure about the right quantity to feed, ask your vet.

Rolls of fat at
back of neck
Thin face
Ribs easily felt Shiny fur Well muscled Thick layer of
or seen body fat over ribs

Belly more Slight waist
drawn in
than normal Large belly

THIN HEALTHY FAT

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