Sadly Labradors aren't generally the types who can eat like a horse and retain the figure of a supermodel. So their passion for food can often lead to laziness and obesity if they aren't fed wisely.
Pugs too should not be overfed as they can easily become obese which greatly reduces their life expectancy.
Bess is on a special diet, which sees her with a lovely waist and a full stomach.
If you are wondering how to feed a hungry dog without creating a fat dog, take a look at what Bess eats...
Bess' daily devourings: (as approved by her veterinarians)
Two handfuls of light dry food
1 dog biscuit as a morning snack
In the dinner bowl:
½ - 1 large grated carrot, to fill the bowl and help Bess feel satisfied
1 tablespoon sunflower/safflower oil to promote healthy coat and good digestion
1 - 2 cups of cooked vegetables (potatoes, pumpkin, carrot etc) and pasta or rice
¼ of a 1.2kg can of balanced dog food.
Note: It is typical for dog food manufacturers to exaggerate the
recommended daily amount of food on their product labels.
For instance, one 1.2kg can of dog food suggests that small dogs
(5-10kg) be fed at least half a can of the product daily.
It is likely that most pet dogs would put on weight if fed this amount.
Indeed a dog of Bess' weight is instructed to be fed 1.5-2.0 cans a day,
but 1/4 of a can daily, as part of the diet above, is best for her.
Any more and she is likely to put on weight, as many labradors (and
other breeds) are.
Bones are great entertainment for dogs and are also invaluable for healthy teeth.
Marrow bones and brisket bones are excellent, but cooked bones should not be fed to your
dog. Unfortunately as much as Bess adores bones, she can only have them for a short, supervised
amount of time as she has trouble digesting them.
The most important thing in feeding your dog is to ensure they have a balanced diet. Choose a food that is labelled as "nutritionally complete and balanced" so that you know your dog is getting everything it needs. Whether or not you feed your dog dried food or canned food is much of a muchness. Bess gets a diet containing some of both which gives her some variety and everything she needs.
Some foods are just not for dogs...
For instance, chocolate - especially dark chocolate -
is toxic to dogs and should not be fed to them.
Also, onions are bad for their health as are salty and
spicy foods.
So try to ignore those pleading eyes and keep most of YOUR foods
away from your dog's mouth!
What your dog eats in your garden...
Plants that are toxic to dogs, and thus should be removed from your garden or
fenced off from your pets, include:
Poinsettia (leaves)
Azaleas and rhododendrons (green leaves)
Mushroom (Amanita species)
Oleander (leaves, stem, bark)
English ivy (fruit)
Japanese yew (needles, bark, seed)
Dumb cane (leaves)
Castor bean (seeds)
Precatory bean (seeds)
Want a healthy treat recipe? Check out Granny's liver treats for a quick
and easy recipe...
One final point, it is vital that your dog always has fresh water available, particularly
when they are eating large amounts of dried food. Otherwise dehydration and kidney damage may
result.
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