Feeding your Canine Companion

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Vets who support SHS Spay/Neuter Drives Sunny Brae Animal Clinic 900 Buttermilk Lane Arcata, CA 95521 822-5124 Eureka Veterinary Hospital 4433 Broadway, Eureka 442-4885 Animal Health & Surgery Center 1257 Riverwalk Drive, Fortuna 725-6154 Myrtle Avenue Veterinary Hospital 2715 Hubbard Lane, Eureka 443-8686 Ferndale Veterinary 1140 Van Ness Ave., Ferndale 786-4200 McKinleyille Animal Care Ctr 839-1504

Four Determinants of Canine Health:
Genetic predisposition
Nutrition
Environment
Health Care

Of these, you are responsible for three:
Nutrition: High quality species appropriate food plus supplements. While kibble (dry food) is NOT species appropriate, some do less damage than others.
Environment: Safe, contaminant, and stress free
Health Care: Holistic health care treats causes, not symptoms

Why it Matters...
Your canine companion cannot choose his own food. You, therefore, must make responsible, informed, and intelligent choices.
The better your dog eats today the healthier he will be tomorrow.
Your dog's body requires a 'species-appropriate' diet-like all species.

Feeding Your Canine Companion
History - Dogs are carnivores-they evolved over 14,000 years eating primarily meat. On their own, they are opportunistic and will also occasionally eat small amounts of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and berries. A dog's anatomy is such that the primary protein source has always been, and still is-meat.
Three Choices - Knowing this, you have three choices for feeding your canine companion: 1) fresh, raw food, 2) kibble, and 3) a combination of 1 and 2. Avoid feeding dogs canned food unless recommended by a veterinarian and YOU AGREE with the recommendation.

Feeding Fresh Raw Food
Feeding fresh raw food is slightly more complicated than giving your dog a cup of raw ground beef. It is also not as fast as simply scooping kibble into a bowl. Feeding raw food, however, typically results in healthier dogs and very proud owners.
Before feeding your dog fresh raw food:
  • Consult a veterinarian experienced in feeding raw
  • Consult with others experienced in feeding raw
  • Check out the following references:
      - Natural Nutrition for Dogs & Cats, by Kymythy Schultze
      - Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, by Richard Pitcairn, D.V.M., et al
      - eat, drink, and wag your tail, DVD

Feeding Kibble: Choose Kibble Wisely
Most people feed their dogs kibble for two reasons: 1) it's easy, and 2) they have a false belief that it's the one right way to feed their dog. Choosing nutritious kibble involves common sense and following simple guidelines.

What to Look For
The first ingredient should be a specific meat or fish or meal (e.g., chicken, lamb meal, chicken meal, mackerel meal). Better "premium" kibbles have 2-4 specific meat or fish meal in the first 4-6 ingredients.

Variety
Alternating between two premium kibbles that work well for your dog helps avoid deficiencies or ingredient excesses that may be problematic for your animal. Alternate when bag runs out or when convenient.

Watch for Changes
With any new food, watch for subtle changes in your dog's skin, coat, appetite, energy level, mood, itchiness, discharges or odors, body weight, and especially the stool size and consistency (quality food and properly functioning digestive system produces smaller formed, dark brown, firm stools). If negative changes occur, immediately try a different food. If the change persists, consult your veterinarian.

How Often to Feed
Feed puppies based on kibble manufacturer's recommendation. Feed adult dogs once or twice per day. Remove food not consumed in about 15 minutes. Separate bowl for each dog.

How Much to Feed
Feed based on manufacturer's recommendations. Feed to 'desired' weight, not to present weight.

Adult Dog's Weight
Like people, each adult dog has an 'ideal weight range.' You should be able to easily feel her ribs as you lightly run your fingertips along her side. Generally, slightly thinner is healthier.

Overweight Dogs
First, have your veterinarian rule out medical conditions-such as thyroid. Avoid 'lite' or "prescription" kibble. Feed overweight dogs less of a premium kibble PLUS raw food supplements. Exercise the dog.

Senior Dogs
Check Senior and Prescription kibble for unhealthy ingredients. Feed senior dogs less of a high quality premium kibble.

Supplements
Supplement all commercial pet foods with fresh foods, such as organic raw meats and steamed or grated vegetables. Nutritional supplements provide enzymes and nutrients destroyed during kibble manufacturing.

Dog Food Comparison Table (PDF)
How to Interpret the Above Table (html)

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