NY Loves Dogs

Dog Food: Everything You Need to Know

Most likely you aren’t intending to feed your dog road-kill or buzzards… but there is a good chance this is just what you are doing if you don’t know how to decipher the often confusing ingredient labels found on dog food.

Walking through the aisles of a pet store and picking out the right dog food for your dog can be a daunting task.  So many different bags proclaim to be the healthiest or the most natural or the meatiest…which is the best one?  And once you decide which food, how much should you give your dog?  And how do you avoid the likes of road-kill and buzzards in your dog’s food?

Below is a mini-guide to picking out a nutritious dog food and figuring out how much to feed your dog.

Where do I start?
First start with basic pet nutrition and purchase a pet food measurer.  You can get one at any pet store or simply buy a cup measurer from a kitchen goods store.  Take a little test and put the amount of food you would normally give your dog in a bowl – then measure it.  Compare that to the guidelines on your dog food bag and it most likely is much higher.  Just like portion control is a key component in human body fitness it is also a significant part of canine health.

How much should I feed my dog?
However, figuring out how many cups of food to feed your dog depends on the dog food you use.  If you browse the pet food store and look at the serving information on the back you will notice that lower end foods often advise giving an average fifty pound dog about four and half cups.  While higher end products advise two cups.  This is based on dogs receiving the correct amount of daily nutritional value so it requires more cups of a lower end product (with lower end ingredients) to meet the nutritional guidelines than a higher end brand.

Feeding your dog four and a half cups of a lesser priced food versus two cups of more expensive food evens out the cost given the amount of food you are using.  So take the time to compare ingredients and see what suits your dog.  Unfortunately there is no rule about how many cups per pound of dog due to the disparity of nutrition in foods.

What type of food should I buy?
The first thing you want to look for is a food with no by-products.  By-products can be anything from a slaughtered animal – the lungs, the hooves, the bones, the head - all the types of things you would not like to see your dog eat.  By-products are inexpensive and thus found in many foods – even ones that proclaim to be “all natural”.  A good food will have “chicken” or “beef” as the first ingredient without by-product or meal attached to it.  “Meal” (as in “beef meal” or “poultry meal”) is another type of by-product consisting of animal parts not suitable for human consumption.

Corn gluten and wheat gluten, other common ingredients, are neither harmful nor useful – they simply serve to bind the food.  Brewers rice is another thing to avoid as it is a processed rice lacking the nutritional value that whole ground rice or brown rice would have. And absolutely avoid any product that uses “animal fat”; this is a vague term that actually means any animal – be it dead or diseased or disabled or dying prior to slaughter – could be the source.  Whether it is a seagull, road-kill, fowl euthanized at an animal shelter or leftovers from a restaurant – this term is as vague as they come and should be avoided at all costs.

Why are certain foods more expensive?
You will be surprised how easy it is to find a good dry dog food once you have narrowed down the choices by avoiding by-products and animal fat.  Most likely you will be drawn to a higher end food that uses real products and probably costs a bit more than a brand found in a supermarket.  The reason certain brands are more expensive is because of the ingredients they use – real beef is more expensive than animal fat as real chicken costs more than poultry meal.

Bear in mind that using a higher end dog food means you will use a smaller amount of food and one bag will last longer than a less costly and less nutritious brand.  You will also save costs by purchasing the biggest bag offered – normally the higher the quantity you buy the lower the price.  An average twenty pound bag will give you just over forty cups of food which depending on the size of your dog will likely last 3-4 weeks.

Is there special needs food?
Additionally look for a dry food that suits your dog; if your dog is a puppy or senior you should certainly get food designated for that.  Puppies require the extra nutrition and fat that is found in puppy food and seniors require the increased vitamins and lowered fat, along with minerals like glucosamine and chondroitin, which are often found in senior food.

There are also foods geared for dogs with sensitive stomachs and allergies – usually a vegetarian formula - while other types offer formulas to improve hair, coats and/or teeth.  And the most popular “special” food is for overweight dogs.  Keep in mind that if you feed your dog the appropriate portion of a food high in protein and low in corn or wheat gluten, you should not need to buy reduced fat weight loss food.

What about wet food?
Wet food or “sauces” are an optional treat for dogs.  You can mix in a small amount of either for a finicky palate or to spice things up.  Do note that if you mix in a significant amount of wet food then you should reduce the amount of dry food you are giving your dog.  Again, pay attention to the portion sizes recommended on each can.  If you don’t wish to use a wet food or sauce you can either put some hot water in the dry food and create a gravy or add in chicken, beef or a vegetable; green beans aid in keeping stool firm.

In that line, to keep your dog’s stool firm you can add a small amount of white rice (not brown which is a natural diuretic), cottage cheese or non-spiced, canned pumpkin to your dog’s dry food – these are known “binders” so use sparingly.  Adding a small amount for each meal will help keep your dog’s digestion regulated.

How often should I feed my dog?
There is no rule about whether you should give your dog one meal or two meals – this is something unique to each dog.  More energetic dogs would likely have breakfast and dinner while less active dogs might have a biscuit for breakfast and a meal at dinner.

Can I change my dog’s food?
When changing your dog’s food do it gradually.  Mix in some of the new food with the old food and some white rice for about a week and then make the switch to the new food.  Easing into a diet change will prevent diarrhea that is common when switching food.

There are a lot of foods to choose from – read the labels, choose well and always feel free to ask your Veterinarian for advice.  The food you choose will set the tone for your dog’s health and giving him the right amount will ensure it.

Reported by Susan Cava

By Susan Cava

Whether you are in an urban or suburban environment you are probably walking your dog on a leash at some point. And hopefully you aren’t the dog owner who people cross the street to avoid. That being said, there is a proper etiquette for dog walking that good dog owners apply…do you?

Is Your Dog Leashed or Should Someone Leash You?

Even if your dog is best behaved dog on the planet, he needs to be on a leash when you are walking him in public areas. Most cities or towns have some type of ordinance about leashing your dog in public areas. This protects both people and dogs. By keeping your dog leashed you don’t have to worry about him darting into traffic after a runaway squirrel, skateboard or wayward ball. Even if your dog is perfectly trained you never know what might set him off – keeping him on a leash will prevent this…and it is the law.

Additionally some people are afraid or simply don’t like dogs. While you might find it adorable that your marvelous Max jumps up to random strangers to say hi, if you have encountered a non-dog person (and there are plenty of them) you could be in for trouble. Your fellow citizen would actually have the right to call the cops and report you for having your dog off leash. Play it safe and keep your dog leashed at all times in public areas.

Additionally search out dog runs in your locale, most public parks now have separate areas designated for off-leash dog play. If your town doesn’t have one, contact the Chamber of Commerce and inquire how to make it happen.

Are You a Member of the Poop Patrol?

No one likes to step in a pile of poop. As dog owners, there isn’t anyone else responsible for random dog feces in public so do your part and keep the sidewalks clean. Generally speaking in nearly every town or city there will be signs posted about picking up after your dog or facing monetary penalties. It’s not just the law but good etiquette to clean up after your dog. After all, who wants a neighborhood filled with feces? It doesn’t just ugly up the neighborhood but is unsanitary as well. All different types of parasites live in feces and dogs can pick up diseases from dog waste…hello Giardia! And of course it is simply good manners to clean up after your dog so your neighbor doesn’t have to.

Does Your Dog Have A License?

So you’ve leashed your dog and cleaned up after him – have you licensed him? Just like there are laws for leashing your dog there are also laws about keeping your dog licensed. Cops have the right to check for licenses and fine owners for dogs without proper identification. Generally you can go to your city’s official Website, search for “dog license” and find the appropriate form to print out, fill out and mail in.

The fee for license registration is usually nominal (under $25) and the city often uses the database of licenses to find out the dog population for that city. “That information is used to determine how many pets are in an area and thus influences budget allocations for animal shelters,” says Jennifer Panton, President of United Action for Animals, “Aside from it being the law to license your dog it also provides pertinent information to properly fund homeless animals.”

Can Your Dog “Leave It”?

On top of you following the appropriate etiquette for walking your dog, your dog should too. If your dog is going to be a well-behaved pooch in public then he should know the basic commands (that means you need to teach them to him). It is very difficult for your dog to behave well on leash and interact with other dogs and people if he doesn’t know the commands of: “sit”, “come” and “leave it”. These commands are important not just for other dogs and people’s safety but for your own dog. In case your dog comes upon an aggressive dog it is important to be able to say “leave it” and have the command followed.

Additionally, if you and your dog are separated by chance you can feel confident he will return to you with a well-practiced return command. Most local animal shelters or even large chain pet stores will offer basic puppy/dog training. It will be both fun and helpful for you and your dog. Besides, you don’t want your dog to be the jumping, out-of-control outcast dog that doesn’t know when to stop and sit.

Are You and Your Dogs the Kind of Neighbors You Would Want?

Part of being a responsible dog owner is being a good dog neighbor. Would you want to live next door to someone who allows their dog to urinate on flowerbeds or run all over another’s property? Of course not, so use the golden rule: do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.

In urban areas one can be considerate of neighbors as well. For example, it is always polite to ask fellow dog walkers if their dog is friendly. If the dog isn’t friendly, you can avoid a confrontation and if he is perhaps you have made a new friend. Dog owner Debbie Baer says, “I always appreciate when people ask if my dog is friendly or not, it’s a common courtesy and anything to prevent a possible fight is a good thing.”

Walking your dog should be a leisurely exercise for both you and your dog. By following simple logic and common courtesy you will find that the dog world and non-dog world can coexist just fine.

What Type of Dog Walking Service is Right For Your Dog?

Regular walks are vital for keeping your dog happy and healthy. Dogs that socialize daily with other canines and humans aren’t just in better physical condition but are often more behaviorally sound. There are four different types of dog-walking services: one-on-one walking, pack walking, semi-private walks and doggy day care.

When considering services you should look for ones that are insured; this means that if there is an incident involving your dog all expenses will be covered. Additionally if a service is insured this generally means they are a legal, tax-paying business which is ultimately a more reputable route to go on. Furthermore always interview the handler for your dog – not just the person who runs the dog walking business. Ask for current references and past references – it is important to learn why people are no longer using a service.

Below is a mini-guide to help you figure out what type of dog walking service would best match you and your dog’s needs.

One-on-one walking

As the name suggests, this service provides one dog to one walker. This is ideal for dogs that require extra attention, are older and/or have special needs. On top of the scheduling flexibility this service will cater to your dog’s wishes. If you want your dog to get to the park each day or simply sit on a bench for twenty minutes, a one-on-one walker can accommodate your dog’s needs while not worrying about other dogs wants. There are specific one-on-one walking services that will jog or run your dog for the majority of the hour if you wish.

The success of the one-on-one relationship depends entirely on the walker, which means you should not only interview the handler first to make sure you feel comfortable with him/her caring for your animal but also schedule a meeting to see how your dog takes to this person. Trust your instincts and your dog’s – you will know pretty quickly if it is the right person to care for your dog or not.

Average price: $25-$30 per hour

Pack walking

This involves large groups of dogs, 10-12 at a time, being walked at the same time by two handlers. This is a great service for puppies who need extra long walks and to develop good leash walking etiquette. Puppies (or older dogs) with separation anxiety do extremely well in packs as not only does their energy get drained but they are surrounded by other dogs and people which builds their confidence and calms down their anxiety.

Pack walking can serve as a great training tool…and an even better tuckering out tool. And as we all know, a tired dog is a good dog.

If considering pack walking find a service that allows you to meet the walkers and request that your dog not be tethered outside alone when other dogs are being picked up or dropped off. Generally speaking there are two walkers per pack and one will wait outside with the dogs while the other goes in and picks up or drops off a dog. However, err on the side of caution and make it clear that you do not want your dog left alone outside – that is just asking for trouble.

Average price: $18-25 per two hours

Semi-private walks

A combination of one-on-one walks and pack walking, semi-private walks involve one walker with two to three dogs. Before signing up I strongly suggest that when interviewing your dog walker you not only get customer references for the walker but inquire what dogs (breed, temperament, age) your dog will be walking with. If your dog doesn’t get along well with white fluffy dogs you won’t want to hear your dog is walking with a Bichon Frise and Samoyed.

Requesting this information is not overstepping – it is protecting your dog and the dogs he/she will walk with. Semi-private walks are ideal for social, active dogs that require more attention than pack walks can offer. Some owners find this service to be more personable and flexible than pack walking; generally speaking semi-private walks are for one hour periods of time.

Average price: $20-$30

Doggy day care

With this service your dog spends the entire day at a doggy playground facility. Many offer an indoor playground and pool for canines as well as daily walks. Although it can be costly this “pampered pet” service can be a lifesaver for owners with long hours.

One drawback, aside from the often high cost, is that some facilities employ inexperienced people/kids with dogs. Additionally most doggy daycare facilities will ask that you sign an insurance waiver which will essentially waive the company’s responsibility should your dog get hurt in their care – read this carefully and feel free to discuss it with management. Too often dogs get hurt at these places due to typical dog fracas’ that result from multiple dogs in a closed-in place. Many owners are shocked when they learn their vet bills are not covered. Question their insurance policy thoroughly but do remember a minor scratch is common as dogs are dogs after all.

Average price: $40-60 per day

Questions to ask potential dog walkers/services:

• Do you have insurance?
• Will you cover the costs should my pet get hurt during your care?
• Do you have a back-up walker should you get sick or go on vacation?
• What is your policy for bad weather and holidays?
• Confirm that my dog will never be tied up alone outside an apartment or store should you need to go in.

Reported by Susan Cava