NUTRITION

Food and water are two of the most important items in a dog's life.  From food he receives the necessary energy to grow, to maintain a healthy body, to reproduce, and to fight infection.  All dogs need to ingest a balanced amount of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals.  These are contained in reputable commercial dog foods, or you can prepare an adequate diet in your own kitchen.  What proportion of each key ingredients is needed, and in what overall quantity of food, depends on the individual dog.  Is the dog young or old? Is he in good physical shape or does he spend most of his time lying around? Does he live in a hot or cold climate, outside or inside the house? Is he subjected to special demands such as strenuous work? Or do you have a pregnant bitch? Each of these cases has its own nutritional demands. 

     Every dog should have its own food dish and access to a dish of fresh water.  Keep the dishes clean, as well as the utensils you use to open or prepare the food.  Regularity is also important:  Feed at regular times in regular amounts, and feed a stable, uniform diet to achieve the most satisfactory results.

PUPPIES

Puppies need more calories and essential nutrients than do adult dogs.  Food quality is as important as quantity, especially in the period just after weaning.  Eggs, milk, meat and cottage cheese are fine foods for puppies since they are palatable, digestible, and contain abundant protein of good quality.

 Foods with a very high fiber content are less desirable during the period of rapid growth.  If you prefer a commercial dog food, choose one which is specially formulated for puppies, or supplement an adult food with the high protein foods mentioned above.

     Three feedings a day help to satisfy the high daily food intake for puppies, although you may prefer to feed four times per day for the first month, and continue with three thereafter.  This schedule should continue until the puppy reaches four to six months of age, when the stomach can hold food for longer periods of time.  However, be careful to avoid over-supplementing the puppy during those early months.  Overfeeding young dogs may cause problems due to disproportionate development of the skeleton and muscles.  The pup should be weighed at weekly intervals and the rate of growth compared with published charts for its breed.  The amount of food should be adjusted to conform with that for an average rate of growth rather than a maximum one.  Plenty of exercise is important at this time, but make sure that the ground is not slippery or too hard in order to avoid mechanical injuries.  Most dogs of small breeds approach maturity when they are seven to ten months old, at which time their total nutrient requirements will begin gradually to decrease.  Be alert for this change.  Needs at this time gradually diminish and approach those for maintenance.  Maturity arrives later in large breeds which develop more slowly.

     Don't be alarmed if your dog skips an occasional meal or eats only part of it.  It could mean that a feeding can be eliminated or the quantity reduced.  Most dogs should finish their meal in twenty minutes, although this is not necessary.  Always remember to provide fresh water, even if you feed foods which seem to contain a large amount of moisture.  Snacks between meals should be avoided except for an occasional treat for good behavior.   

ADULT DOGS

The primary purpose of careful feeding is to meet the nutritional needs of the dog throughout his life.  A dog that works hard or lives outside in a cold climate needs more food for energy than one who is basically sedentary or lives in a temperature-controlled apartment, for example.

     There are three types of dog foods:  dry, semi-moist, canned.  One kind or brand is difficult to recommend over another since all contain adequate amounts of carbohydrates, fats, protein, minerals and vitamins.  The selection of any diet, however, should depend on three main influences-the nature of the dog, performance desired by the owner, and overall management.  Whether or not the diet you feed your dog is suitable may be indicated by the dog himself.  First, observe his stools.  Large amounts of waters or foamy stools, pale or the color of the good, indicate poor digestion.  Smaller, darker, denser stools, on the other hand, suggest superior digestion.  Also, the proper diet will help to keep most dogs= coats pliant, glossy and clean-looking.  As for the amount of food, adjust the volume of food so that your dog is neither too thin nor too fat.  A dog is overweight if you can=t feel his ribs when you run your hands over his sides as you stand above his body.