Feeding the dog is one of the main conditions for its good health, vigor and good exterior. Such genetic features of mongrel courtyard dogs, such as a strong immune system, good health and natural acumen, made them very “comfortable” for the owners. But this does not mean that they do not get sick at all, and they can be fed low-quality feed.
Feeding methods
Usually, owners of yard dogs think little about their diet, and many do not even suspect that they are fed the wrong way. They rightly believe that once a dog is a predator, it must be fed mainly meat products with various additives. But if all components are mixed in arbitrary quantities, do not take into account the nutritional value and composition of the feed, then the effectiveness of feeding will be questionable. You should not try to feed the mongrel with leftovers from your table or the cheapest food, it will inevitably cause problems with the health of the animal.
In matters of proper nutrition of dogs among the owners there are two large groups:
- supporters of finished industrial feed;
- supporters of natural home diets.
The choice of feeding method depends entirely on the preferences of the owner, his free time, financial opportunities, his literacy in keeping dogs. The use of ready-made industrial feed significantly saves personal time and physical effort on the maintenance of animals, they contain ready-made balanced diet.
But remember that premium food can not be cheap because they contain natural proteins of animal origin, a balanced fat and carbohydrate composition, vitamins and trace elements. Advertising of cheap dry food is nothing more than a marketing move by manufacturers. Pet health will be much calmer if you bypass such feed side.
Recently, the number of supporters of natural feeding of dogs has been steadily increasing. Long-term observations of experienced dog breeders have shown that when fed naturally, animals live longer than their counterparts with industrial feeding.
The ration for the mongrel is selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the animal, since purebred dogs have an unknown heredity, often not entirely "successful." It is important to consider the past of the dog, if it came to you as an adult. It is noticed that if the dog once had to starve, it will tend to overeat, so you need to strictly follow the daily rate of food to prevent obesity. Here is an exemplary list of products that should be part of the diet of a yard dog when choosing a natural feeding method:
- raw or boiled meat (beef, horsemeat, lamb, chicken, turkey, rabbit);
- meat by-products (beef tripe, bird offal, lungs, liver, heart, beef tails);
- boiled sea fish (cod, hake, pollock);
- dairy products (low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt without fillers);
- boiled eggs, better only the yolk;
- vegetables (carrots, zucchini, pumpkin);
- fruits and berries (apple, blueberry, banana);
- greens (lettuce, parsley);
- cereals and bran (in the form of porridge);
- vegetable fats (sunflower, olive oil);
- vitamin complexes.
Than feed is not recommended
There is a myth that mutts are omnivorous, but this opinion is very far from the truth. There are products that are better not to give yard dogs:
- tubular bones and chicken feet - can damage the inner lining of the digestive tract;
- sweets - cause fermentation and disrupt digestion;
- sausages of all kinds - contain many spices and additives harmful to the liver of dogs;
- flour pastries and potatoes - contribute to bloating and constipation.
The approximate daily rate of food - 3% of the dog’s body weight, is adjusted depending on the way of keeping (at home or outdoors), the time of year (the rate increases in winter) and the energy activity of the animal (watchdogs, service, free dogs and dogs have different indicators). In the mode of feeding the aging animals, the proportion of high-calorie food gradually decreases, but proteins and fats should remain in the same volumes.
It is necessary to feed an adult dog 2 - 3 times a day, clean drinking water should always be freely available.
How to feed puppies
For a puppy, you must immediately decide on the type of feeding - natural or industrial, so that later you don’t have to transfer it from one type to another. The digestive system of the growing body will be formed under a certain feed and will produce appropriate enzymes. A cardinal change of feed will inevitably lead to the stress of all body systems.
If a natural type of food is chosen, then from one month of age puppies of a pooch can be supplemented with natural food. Before the age of one, it is necessary to gradually introduce into the pet's ration useful ingredients - vegetables, berries, and greens.
When using ready-made feeds from a month-old puppy, you can begin to feed canned wet food, in 3 - 4 months you can soak dry food and gradually introduce it into the diet. High-quality dry food can be taken as a basis for feeding when your puppy completely changes teeth.
It is important to understand that the maintenance of any dog, regardless of the breed, will require financial costs, so take this time into account and decide on the method of feeding before the pet appears in your life.
True fans of dogs will always provide their pets with comfortable conditions for a full life, regardless of breed, and the owners often often lovingly call a noble mongrel, but a noblewoman, with love to a purebred dog.
About how and what to feed the dog, see the following video.
