DOGWORKS WITH JEFF MUNSHAUR
Recently my daughter asked me why I feed some dogs differently than others even when they’re the same size and build. I told her that each dog’s requirements vary and that you have to formulate feed schedules for each. Simply put, you need to know how much and how often to feed.
The difficulty with advice on proper feeding lies in finding an acceptable and healthy compromise between the ideal and the realistic. Most animal professionals will share their ideal thoughts with you. But does their method fit your situation? I will venture a guess and say that it’s not likely.
So how do you find your formula? If you’ve read my columns before, you’ll remember my methods for housebreaking and regulating your dog. Initially, strict compliance with feeding and exercise schedules is paramount to success. But where do you start?
Find a published feeding standard for your dog’s breed, weight, and age. Directions on your feed bag are a great start. As a rule of thumb, most “recipes” rely on a food to body weight ratio. Most often, this is the only info you will find. Some listings will advise incremental increases for pregnancy, lactation, and activity levels. If not, use common sense and increase amounts by 25% if activity is high. Bingo! There’s your start point.
Once you’ve decided on your initial amount divide it in half. Feed half in the morning and half in the evening. See how simple that was. You now have your ideal starting formula.
But wait, Jeff. You’re a pro and spend all day with your dogs. It’s easy for you to formulate feed recipes and feed twice a day but I have to work, retrieve kids, mow, shop, study, travel, etc…. Valid point. Reality can be a pain. So what’s the key to adjusting feedings without jeopardizing your dog’s health or your lifestyle?
OBSERVATION. Weigh your dog. Make notes on his behavior and energy level. Then watch him. Reduce feed when you observe obesity, sluggishness, poor appetite, etc…. Increase feed when you observe the opposite- thin, weak, etc…. I know this sounds terribly obvious but you would be surprised at the amount of people who overlook signs of improper feeding. I know I have. Why?
Physical changes in the dog occur over a period of time and you don’t always notice the difference. That’s why I told you to weigh the dog and take notes. Refer to them monthly at a minimum. Believe your notes, not your memory. Make necessary adjustments and continue to monitor your dog’s stats. By doing this, regardless of the dog’s use, you should be able to maintain optimum food rations for your dog.
If your lifestyle doesn’t allow for twice-a-day feeding, cut your ration slightly and feed once daily. Be extra observant in the first month and adjust accordingly. Your dog’s digestive system will regulate itself but I’ve found through stool samples that more food is “wasted” when fed only once daily.
Finally, I’ll touch on free choice feeding. I’ve read studies claiming that dogs will regulate themselves satisfactorily when food is always available. My observations, however, are that free choice only works with dogs undergoing strenuous daily work. Most pets I have seen just get fat. I won’t mention the housebreaking and other training problems associated with free choice feeding. Suffice it to say that under normal conditions I’m not a free choice fan.
Pay attention to the details and keep your pet healthy.