Filed under: Dogs, Pet Health, Animal Nutrition
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You adore your little dog, but are you taking care of his or her special nutrition needs?
It isn't just about feeding your dog the proper serving size (though that is critical), it is also about taking into account a variety of factors that determine a pet's metabolism requirements, including age, activity level and reproductive status. To help guide you, Paw Nation spoke with animal nutritionist Susan Lauten, Ph.D., of
Pet Nutrition Consulting, and
Liz Palika, author of
"The Ultimate Pet Food Guide," about how to ensure that our tiny friends live long, well-fed lives.
1. Use dog food manufacturer's guidelines as the starting point for determining proper portion size.
Unlike humans, there is no specific
recommended daily calorie allowance for dogs. So begin with what is on the package and then modify to keep your pooch at the right weight. (See more on this below.) If you want to create a special diet for your dog -- whether by mixing types of store-bought foods or preparing meals from scratch -- consult a professional to make sure you are meeting your animal's nutrition and portion needs.
2. Adjust food amounts depending on whether you have a lazy lap dog or an active dog.
As with humans, healthy eating is all about calories in versus calories out. "Calculated caloric intake can vary up to 30 percent based on a dog's activity level and breed. What they recommend for active terriers is 30 to 40 percent higher than active dogs in general. Terriers, like the Jack Russell, are zooming around. But small pets that are carried around everywhere don't require as many calories," explains Lauten. Most bigger dogs are inactive in comparison.
Continue reading 8 Small Dog Nutrition and Feeding Tips
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