Amanda Teixeira
There are probably as many opinions on how to feed your dog properly as there are dog owners. That is why there are many myths about proper dog nutrition. Find out here what is behind these myths, which are true and which ones should better be ignored.
We’ll tell you what’s really behind the myths about dog nutrition!
Feed the dog only once a day
For a long time, dogs were only fed once a day, usually after work was done. Most nutrition experts today recommend feeding an adult, healthy dog morning and night. Because smaller feed portions can be digested and utilized better. The dog’s body is less stressed and the blood sugar level remains in balance. So your dog doesn’t run through the day with a growling stomach.
Puppies up to six months of age should be fed three to four meals a day, young dogs and seniors at least two.
Do one fasting day per week
Not correct! Many dog owners are of the opinion that the dog should fast one day a week to clean the stomach and intestines. However, this contradicts the findings of modern nutritional science. Fragrant food, rustling packaging, opening the refrigerator door – all of these are food stimuli for the dog that stimulate the production of stomach acid. However, if nothing arrives in the hungry dog’s stomach to digest, this can lead to hyperacidity, heartburn and even vomiting.
The only exception: If the dog has diarrhea, it should not be fed for 24 hours after consultation with the veterinarian so that the damaged intestine can regenerate. If diarrhea persists or recurs, you should consult a veterinarian.
Feed after the walk
It is important that the dog pauses for digestion for at least an hour after feeding.
Wild romping immediately after eating should be avoided. Otherwise the risk of gastric torsion increases.
However, if your dog’s walk is just looking for food, breakfast before the walk, for example, can work wonders. For example, feed a small portion before or during the walk and the rest afterwards. Or you can wait an hour after breakfast before you go on a walk.
Always feed at the same time
Rituals, such as feeding after the morning walk, structure the day and give the dog security. But don’t overdo it with punctuality. A dog that gets its dinner served at 6 p.m. sharp will soon demand its food even when you are sitting in a restaurant, for example. Regular feeding times are therefore recommended, but not to the minute.
If your dog starts asking for food at a certain time, you should ignore it until it calms down. He’ll learn that you decide when it’s time to eat, not him.
Frequent changes of feed promote allergies and intolerances
If you only feed your dog one and the same food, you run the risk of raising a fussy dog that only eats the food it is familiar with. This can lead to problems, for example, if the dog develops an allergy to this food.
Dogs should therefore be made familiar with different types of food and ingredients from an early age. A healthy change between wet and dry food as well as different types of meat and vegetables guarantees a varied diet.
Conversely, this does not mean that the most exotic ingredients have to end up in the bowl every day. Too frequent feed changes are not recommended and can also be counterproductive! Even if the food is changed too often, the dog can become fussy because it is always waiting for something “even better”.
Especially if an allergy is suspected, you should also have some protein sources (e.g. horse and game) on hand for an elimination diet that the dog is not yet familiar with. Therefore: feed change yes, but only now and then and not constantly.
BARF is the most natural and healthiest way to feed your dog.
The abbreviation B.A.R.F. originally means “Bones And Raw Food”. In the translation, this became the term “biologically appropriate raw food”. Raw feeding is not healthier per se than other diets.
If you want to barf your dog, you should have a nutritionist calculate the ration.
BARF is not just about serving the dog raw meat with some pureed vegetables. Because it is important that the dog absorbs all the nutrients it needs. Many veterinarians are now even advising against raw feeding, since many animals that have been fed end up in their practices with symptoms of deficiency. Therefore: Barfen only with expert advice and intensive dealing with the topic.
The dog may only accept food from the owner
Especially in times of poisoned baits, many owners try to educate their dogs to only accept the food from them. Whoever succeeds in this can count themselves lucky!
However, if you have a shy or food-fussy dog, you should definitely teach it to accept food from other people. Otherwise, problems can arise if you have to go away for a few days. In case of doubt, even a dog that has escaped is much easier to catch if it can be lured to it with food.