posted 11-29-2003 04:19 AM         

Dogs - Home Prepared Foods

Some owners like to prepare at least some of their dog's meals. If so, only a few different foods should be introduced gradually at any time, to allow the dog's digestive system to adapt to the new food. Meat, eggs, cheese and bread are some of the foods, which are commonly fed to dogs. If these foods were to form the major part of the diet careful supplementation with vitamins and minerals would almost certainly be required.

To ensure that a pet receives a nutritionally complete and balanced diet, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the following:

The specific nutritional needs of the pet
The nutritive value of different foodstuffs and of dietary interactions
Methods of preparation and storage which may affect availability of individual nutrients
Therefore it is not possible to feed your dog a nutritionally consistant and adequate diet without considerable time, effort and expense.

Feeding Bones
Fresh bones contain relatively high levels of minerals, particularly calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, and bones have traditionally been regarded as a useful source of calcium for a dog. However, if your dog is fed a balanced diet, he will be getting just the right amount of calcium already. All dog foods supported by WALTHAM, when fed as directed, contain all the calcium a dog needs.

Additionally, bones are sometimes fed because dogs like to chew, and chewing bones is seen as a good way to exercise the dog's jaws, help to keep his teeth clean, and of course will keep him occupied for hours. There are, however, many risks involved with feeding bones. Never give a dog chicken, rabbit, a chop or fish bones to eat, as they can splinter and the sharp pieces (or the fish bones as a whole) can lead to severe internal injuries. A further risk is that your dog can damage his teeth on very hard bones. The intake of bone material can also lead to constipation with the development of very hard faeces that are difficult and painful to pass.

In order to provide your dog with the pleasure and fun of chewing and gnawing, it is best to choose a specifically designed commercially available dog chew, which is both hygienic and safe for your dog. WALTHAM has developed palatable, nutritionally complete oral hygiene chews, which are not only fun for your dog, but also help to prevent periodontal disease and thus support your dog's dental health and hygiene.

Commercial Pet Foods
Prepared pet foods from reputable pet food manufacturers come with a guarantee of nutritional adequacy, quality and safety. There is a wide array of recipes, varieties and textures to choose from and in all forms they are convenient to use. All dog foods supported by WALTHAM have been developed to provide a balanced diet to meet your dog's nutritional requirements, and to relieve you of nutritional worries.

Prepared pet foods are either complete or complementary. A complete food provides a balanced diet when fed alone, whereas a complementary food is designed to be fed in combination with an additional, specified food source, such as canned meat and biscuit mixer. The label on the product will state whether the food is complete or complementary. Prepared pet foods are usually presented in three main forms - dry, wet and semi-moist. Dry foods have had most of the moisture removed, and are convenient and economical to use. They may be fed dry or soaked, with water added before feeding. Wet foods, such as canned diets, have the moisture content of the ingredients retained. Semi-moist foods have a moisture content which is somewhere between the two.

Whatever diet you choose for your dog, make sure that he has plenty of water available at all times. Keep an eye on the amount he drinks. A dog that is persistently thirsty may be unwell and need prompt veterinary attention. Give him his own clean bowls for food and water - wash them after use and separately from the family's crockery.