How active is he? Just like humans, our pets’ level of physical activity varies across individuals and throughout each dog’s life. Big breeds tend to experience increased musculoskeletal problems, so look for diets or supplements that support joint health.ģ. For example, small breeds have faster metabolisms, and so generally require diets higher in fats than their large-breed peers. While basic nutritional needs do not vary vastly across breeds, certain nutrients are more important for some breeds than others. What breed and size is your pet? Different breeds of dogs have different energy levels and nutritional needs, so be sure to consider your companion’s genetics and build when choosing a food and portions for your pet.
Keep an eye on treats between meals, as these calories can add up, too.Ģ.
Up to 6 months old, puppies should eat three meals a day, and older pets should eat twice daily. Puppies ages 8 to 12 week should be fed four times a day to meet their metabolic and growth needs. How old is your dog? When determining how often you need to feed your pet, there are some general rules of thumb. Here are a few questions to help you understand how much your dog really needs to eat based on his size, age, and other factors:ġ. While offering Fido plenty of nutritious food is key to maintaining his health, nearly half of domestic dogs are overweight, which can limited mobility and increase health risks. We all love to spoil our pets and when it comes to our canine companions, few things show affection like a tasty treat. There’s a good chance you’re feeding your dog too much Here are a few questions to help you asses Fido’s portions. Nearly half of domestic dogs are overweight, increasing risk of health problems. While the decision surrounding tail docking and ear cropping ultimately lies with the breeder or owner, both are elective procedures that should be carefully considered before subjecting your pet to the risks associated with any medical procedure. According to statistics, both procedures are becoming less common, as evidenced fewer competitors with these elective alterations competing in top dog shows than in the past. As with any surgery, docking and cropping come with inherent risks, including complications from general anesthesia and during post-surgery recovery. Dogs also use their tails to communicate with other animals, so removing a portion of his tail can inhibit Fido’s ability to express emotions such as happiness or fear by wagging his tail. Tail docking is banned in many parts of the world, including Australia and the U.K., but both practices are still allowed in the United States.Īrguments against docking dogs' tails include the risk of developing a nerve tumor at the site of the surgery, which can cause pain when your dog’s tail is touched. This process removes the floppy, outer part of the ear and requires several weeks of recovery time. Ear cropping typically takes place later in a dog’s life, between 6 and 12 weeks old, on animals that have been anesthetized. Advocates argue this helps reduce pain from docking, in which a portion of a dog’s tail is removed using surgical scissors. Tail docking is performed shortly after a puppy is born, before his nervous system fully develops. Today, the American Kennel Club argues practices such as these preserve the characteristics associated with the breeds, but opponents argue they are unnecessary and cause pets pain. Sporting dogs, for example, often travel through thick undergrowth when tracking game, so cropping their tails was a practical measure to prevent snags for long-haired breeds such as spaniels. Here is a brief background on the hotly debated practice of elective canine surgeries:įor some working dogs, ear cropping and tail docking are part of tradition, either because these physical alterations allow animals to more adeptly perform tasks such as herding and hunting or because they give pets a distinctive appearance associated with their breed. Elective surgeries such as ear cropping and tail docking are steeped in tradition, but have become controversial topics in recent years as opponents argue they cause pets unnecessary pain and risk of complications. Ear cropping and tail docking are rooted in tradition, but opponents argue these elective surgeries cause dogs unnecessary pain and risk.Īre ear cropping and tail docking inhumane?ĭogs come in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes humans override their pets’ natural physique.
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