A Lifetime of Wellness - 18

WHERE, WHEN
AND HOW TO
FEED
Check your dog's food package for the
recommended amounts for various ages and
weights. It's important to know that these
recommendations are only guidelines, and the
right amount of food will vary with the needs
of your individual pet. Ask your veterinarian for
guidance on feeding and giving treats so your dog
does not become overweight.
For puppies 6 to 8 weeks of age, schedule
three feedings a day. Establishing a feeding
schedule, along with the proper diet, is important
in housetraining your puppy. You may want to
moisten your puppy's food with water at first.
This makes it easier for puppies, especially
smaller breeds. As your puppy gets older, you
can gradually reduce the water mixed with his
dry food, or you can continue to feed it moistened.
Switch to two feedings per day around three to
four months of age.
Water
Make fresh water available to your dog at all
times, and clean his food and water dishes daily.
Place them away from foot traffic and noise,
in a place that is comfortable and easy for him
to reach. Do not change the location of the
dishes unless it is absolutely necessary.
Do not allow people to disturb or startle your
dog while he eats.
What not to feed your dog
» Bones
» Table scraps or any people food
» Chocolate (toxic to dogs)
CONSISTENCY
IS KEY
Unlike people, dogs do not need variety in their
diets; they need consistency in the form of 100
percent complete and balanced nutrition. Talk to
your veterinarian about when your puppy is ready
for adult dog food. Make a choice and stick with
it. Changing food frequently can cause intestinal
upset and can lead to finicky eating.
HELP EXTEND YOUR DOG'S
HEALTHY YEARS
A groundbreaking, 14-year life span study by
Purina*
showed that feeding dogs to an ideal body
condition throughout their lives can help extend
their healthy years - by 1.8 years for the dogs in
the study. And although the dogs in the study
generally developed the same chronic conditions
as they aged, the need for treatment for these
conditions was delayed in the lean-fed dogs.
The Purina Life Span Study reveals the crucial
role that maintaining ideal body condition plays in
health. But overweight adult dogs can still benefit
from losing weight. Another Purina-sponsored study
conducted at Texas A&M University showed that
when overweight dogs with osteoarthritis returned
to optimal weight and body condition, they were
able to move more quickly and exert greater force on
legs affected by osteoarthritis.**
Once again, research
has proven that ideal body condition promotes
better health in dogs.
*Kealy RD, Lawler DF, et al. Effects of diet restriction on life span and
age-related changes in dogs. JAVMA 2002; 220(9):1315-1320.
**Burkholder, William J.; Taylor, Lathrop. Weight loss to optimal body
condition increases ground reactive force in dogs with osteoarthritis.
[Published in Compendium 2001;23(9A):74] Donald A. Hulse, College of
Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
A Lifetime of Wellness

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