Dog nutrition is one of the most complex aspects of dog ownership. Dog food companies will advertise that their food will make your dog smarter, healthier, and stronger. In a world of complicated labels and mystery ingredients, it often feels impossible to know which food will best suit your best friend.

The truth is in the ingredients

Your dog’s food may have catchy phrases on the front of the packages that are easy to get caught up in. These phrases may say anything from “all natural” to “great taste”. The savvy dog owner will pay no attention to these phrases and immediately look for an ingredients label. If the ingredients label looks like the picture below it’s a no go.

The ingredient label for these treats raises a few red flags. Not only are there ingredients such as caramel color and multiple dyes, including red 40, but the main ingredients are “meat and bone meal” and “poultry by-product”.

By-Product

By-product is the term used for the parts of the animal that is left over after the meat has been taken off. The remaining parts are ground into a meal. This meal has very little nutritional value and will make your dog feel full without giving it a balanced diet.

Mystery Meat

“meat and bone meal” raises another red flag. It is legal for a pet food manufacturer to use deceased zoo animals in the food under this category. This includes animals that died of disease and until recently, included road kill.

Grain-Free Foods

Many brands offer a grain free version of their food. Grain Free should only be fed to dogs with grain allergies and active dogs. In order to make up for the lost carbohydrates, these foods add more protein, fat, and fiber (potatoes are a common source). Feeding these to a less active family pet can result in weight gain and an unsatisfied, always hungry pet.

Weight Management Food

If you notice that your dog has a little more to love than it should, it is important to get him on a weight management food as soon as possible. Extra weight is harder to get off than it is to prevent and while a chubby dog may be endearing, the additional stress on the muscles and joints creates more problems later in life.

Fact or Fiction: Common Myths about dog food

Fiction # 1: Dogs are naturally carnivorous hunters, the more meat the better.

Fact: Dogs are naturally omnivorous scavengers, fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates are all  important.

Fiction #2: Dogs get bored with eating the same food all the time.

Fact: Switching a dog’s food causes stomach issues and takes away his steady, balanced diet. If you feel your dog is bored, change the treats.

Fiction #3: Wet food is better because it is closer to real meat.

Fact: Wet food sits on your dogs teeth and does not scrape off any tarter when he chews. There is also less nutritional value in a can of dog food than a cup of kibble.  

It is important to know the dangers of people food, check out the video to learn more!

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Every dog owner knows that play time is important. It’s a way to exercise and bond with your pup.  Whether your dog is a German Shepherd or a Chihuahua, knowing how to exercise your dog is a great way to maintain peace in your home. A tired dog is a well-behaved dog.

Hunting Breeds

German Shorthair Pointers, Bloodhounds, Brittany Spaniels, and English Setters are known for enjoying hunting small animals and fowl. A breed similar to these active dogs can be a hunter’s best friend. If one of these breeds is your family dog, exercising may be a pain. Fetch usually tires out the dogs, but make sure to use a sturdy toy! I prefer to use the Chuckit brand frisbee (photo below) for  my Border Collie.

 Games such as Hide and Seek can help mentally stimulate your dog during play. Try having different family members hide around the house and call the dog. You can also have them wait while you hide their favorite treats or toys and make them search for them.

Intelligence/Agility Breeds

German Shepherds, Border Collies, Huskies, Poodles, and Dobermans tend to be too smart for their own good. Neglecting their need for mental stimulation can result in a sassy, stubborn, or destructive dog. If your breed is food motivated, puzzles can be a great solution. Treat puzzles can be found at most pet supply stores. Hide the treats in the puzzle and watch your dog’s brain go to work. Setting up small agility courses in the backyard is a great activity for nicer days. Teeter totters, tunnels, and jumping through hula hoops can leave your dog tired, happy, and satisfied.

Chewing dogs

Every young dog loves to chew. Some breeds like Jack Russell Terriers, American Pit Bulls, or Retrievers never grow out of it. Not satisfying this need is dangerous. Not only will your dog become destructive, but it could chew on things that put its health at risk. For example, Retrievers that do not have a chewing outlet are known to chew rocks. This can ruin a Retriever’s teeth and can cause them to accidentally swallow the rock.

Having chews that your dog loves available creates a safer and happier pet. Stay away from rawhide, it is NOT digestible and these breeds are likely to swallow it. Instead, opt for bully sticks, pig ears, cow hooves, or natural bones. For more inclusive play time, a tug rope can help your dog have fun with you, while satisfying the need to move those jaws. (For a cheap alternative, buy some jeans from the thrift store, cut off the denim legs, and tie them each into a knot.)

Safety note: Never allow your dog to chew on the rope. Swallowing fibers can cause digestive issues. Do not tug with a dog that is possessive of the toy or untrained. This increases the risk of a dog bite. 

For tips on indoor playing, check out this video!

Video Credit: 

Roark, A. [Cone of Shame]. (2015, April 1) 5 Tips for Tiring Out Your Dog Indoors. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCeCLUFDZUk