Feeding & Nutrition

Feeding Your Dog Our recommendations for your dog will vary depending upon your dog’s age, breed, activity level, metabolism and your own schedule. Whether you feed your dog once or twice daily, make sure to feed him at the same time each day and provide fresh drinking water at all times. HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU FEED YOUR DOG? Follow the feeding guide on the back of the pack, but remember the guide is only there to give you an idea. Every dog is an individual, so the most important consideration is to feed enough to maintain a lean, healthy condition. Always provide a bowl of fresh drinking water. If you feed biscuits or treats, remember to reduce your dog’s main meals accordingly. Treats should never constitute more than 15 per cent of your dog’s diet. DOG FEEDING CHECK-LIST: • Feed your dog once or twice a day, as part of a regular routine. Deep-chested breeds such as the Doberman will particularly benefit from two smaller meals. • Serve food at room temperature to ensure your dog can taste and smell it properly. If you are feeding canned food, warming up an opened can may take up to two hours once it has been taken out of the fridge. Alternatively, you might consider microwaving wet foods (out of the can) for a short time. But avoid serving food that is either too hot or too cold. • If feeding a dry complete food, store it in a dry, clean environment. Resealable packaging or an airtight container keeps it tasty by sealing in the aroma. • Your dog should be fed in a quiet place away from interruptions and away from where you eat. It’s always a good idea to feed on a surface that is easily cleaned, like a tiled floor or a mat. • Don’t allow children to interrupt your dog when he is eating or he may mistake them as a ‘predator’ trying to steal food and react aggressively. If you have more than one dog, feed them separately to avoid bullying or fighting. • Try not to feed your dog immediately before or after exercise. Many dogs are susceptible to a twisting of the gut and blocking of the stomach, which requires immediate veterinary attention. About an hour’s grace either side is advisable.

Is your dog not eating dry food? There are a lot of different reasons why a dog may turn up it's nose at their food. Refusing to eat dry dog food could just mean that your dog is a picky eater, but it also could be a sign of a more serious health problem. If your dog won’t eat dry food, here are some steps you can take to help get them eating again. Make sure he’s healthy If your dog normally eats their food with gusto and has suddenly stopped eating, the most important thing to do is rule out any serious health problems. Many dogs won’t eat if they’re not feeling well, especially if they’re suffering from intestinal or dental issues, so you should visit your veterinarian to make sure nothing’s wrong. But if your dog eats other kinds of food (like wet food or snacks) and refuses to touch his dry food, it may mean he’s a picky eater. Break bad habits If you offer your dog a large variety of foods, they may turn up his nose at their regular dry food to see if you’ll offer them something better —especially if you have given them wet food or human food. Stick to the same thing every day and only offer your dog their regular dry food to help curb their picky tendencies over time. Try enhancing his meal Some dogs just don’t like the taste or texture of dry food. If your dog is not eating their dry food, you may want to mix a small amount ofwet foodwith his dry food to make it more palatable. If you do decide to add wet food to his regular meal, remember to scale back the amount of dry food to avoid over-feeding him.

Feeding your small dog How to meet your small dog’s feeding needs, to keep him physically strong and visibly healthy. Your small dog is unique. He might share the same nutritional needs as other dogs –protein to help him grow and thrive, carbohydrates for energy, and vegetables for vitamins and fibre – but his size makes him very special. Small dog breeds, such as the Shi Tzu, Jack Russell terrier and Chihuahua, have very particular nutritional needs and your small dog’s ideal feeding plan will depend on his age, his breed, his lifestyle and how active he is. Small but mighty A super-fast metabolism means that small dog’s burn energy much faster than large dog breeds. They need more calories per kilogram of body weight, so it is very important that you choose a nutritionally complete feeding plan that is calorie-rich and specially designed to suit the needs of small dogs – particularly when your young small dog is still growing and developing. Essential ingredients Active small dogs need a feeding plan with quick-release energy sources – these include high quality animal or fish protein sources (such as beef, chicken, turkey or salmon) and easy-to-digest carbohydrates. The essential fatty acids, omega 3 and 6, are another important ingredient because they keep your small dog’s kidneys healthy, help to boost his immune system, promote good brain and eye development, and maintain his glossy coat. Mealtimes with bite Small stomachs and little mouths give small dog breeds a healthy appetite – especially at the puppy stage when your small dog will use up the energy from each meal in a matter of hours. Feeding little and often – up to three or four meals a day – is advisable. Your small dog will appreciate nutritionally complete dry recipes with smaller pieces of crunchy kibble and/or moist meals with small chunks of meat and vegetables – either of which will be easy for your small dog to chew and digest. Live long, live well Many small dogs mature quickly, age more slowly, and live longer than large dog breeds. Some small breeds may be considered an adult from around eight months old, and many small dog breeds may live to the age of 15 or more. This means that your small dog could spend a large proportion of his life as an active adult dog. Although small dogs are less prone to putting on excess weight, your vet can guide you to the ideal weight for your small dog. Choosing recipes with lean protein sources such as turkey, pork and chicken can help to keep your small dog fit and trim at every stage of his long and happy life.

When choosing a food for your pet, it’s important to consider many factors, from your dog’s age to his size to any special dietary needs he might have – and that’s just the beginning. Consider Your Dog's Life Stage Puppy At this key developmental stage in a dog’s life, your pet needs special nutrient blends that include DHA to support proper vision and brain development. Adult Dog Our foods contain nutrient and energy levels designed to help keep your dog in ideal body condition when fed properly, with a glossy coat and plenty of energy. Senior Dog Your senior dog may require a special nutrient formula to maintain lean body mass and help keep his mind bright Feeding Adult Dogs A balanced diet is essential in full-grown dogs to ensure they remain in peak health and condition. What a Dog Needs Once your dog reaches maturity, it’s time to settle into a regular feeding routine. To maintain an optimal body condition, your dog’s diet needs to include the right balance of the six major nutrient groups: • Proteins; • Fats and oils; • Minerals; • Vitamins; • Carbohydrates; • Water. Any good-quality, manufactured, complete pet food should provide your dog with this basic nutritional balance. Whether you serve canned or dry, or a mixture of the two, is really a matter of personal preference – yours, and your dog’s!