PT 1: 5. Diet/Nutrition Mistakes Pet Parents Make

In this post I will cover the first 3 common mistakes pet parents make when it comes to their Canine companions. Even though you would never intentionally harm your furry friend, t​here are a few things we might be doing that we do not even realize! 

     1.) Feeding your Dog Toxic Foods
          Veterinarians get multiple calls or see multiple patients who have ingested something they should not have. Many people know medications and chemicals are toxic to dogs, but there are many foods that can be toxic too! 
        XYLITOL ingestion is one that veterinarians have been seeing more often recently. This is found in sugar free products including gum and candy. It only takes one piece of sugar free gum to be toxic to a 10lb dog. Xylitol can be found in some peanut butters, toothpaste, mouthwash, cough drops, mints, fruit drinks, jelly/jam, pudding, jello, and even over the counter vitamins.
       Too much xylitol can cause a dog's blood sugar to drop leading to weakness, trembling, seizures, collapse, and death, but one of the first signs of xylitol toxicity is vomiting. At higher doses it can cause massive liver damage that is a medical emergency. It is always recommended to call your veterinarian if you think your dog has ingested something that could potentially be toxic. 
This is just one of the many things. that can be toxic to your dog. To see a larger list, check out our Facebook posts!

     2.) Feeding your Dog Incorrect Amounts of Food
​           Many pet parents are unsure how to determine the appropriate amount of food to give their pet. Some basic things to consider when deciding how much to feed your dog is:
        What is your dog’s ideal body weight? It is important to know if your dog is considered overweight or underweight. This can be determined using the body scoring system. If they are not at their ideal weight you will want to calculate how much to feed them based on the weight they should be. If you are unsure what their ideal body weight should be consult your veterinarian. Studies show keeping your dog at a healthy weight can increase their longevity up to 2 years! 
        What is your dog’s activity level? If your dog does not get much exercise, generally they will need less calories than that of a dog who is more active or a working dog. The amount of recommended daily calories changes over the lifespan. Puppies need 2- 3x as many calories to grow and gain weight, whereas, senior dogs may need less calories to prevent weight gain due to a decrease in activity. 
        Ultimately the proper amount of food is a calculation of resting energy requirement combined with your dog’s ideal body weight. This number can then be adjusted based on the activity level of your dog. The calculation itself can be a little confusing, so there are online dog food calculators that take into consideration all of the above. Don’t forget to consider any treats or table scraps they get on a regular basis and subtract them from the meals you feed them to help control weight.

      3.) Not Enough Water Intake
        Water aids in digestion, brain activity, blood flow, breathing and temperature regulation. In general, your dog should get one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. Like the food requirements, the amount of water varies depending on the temperature of the environment and activity level. It is important to note that if your dog is eating dry dog food, they will need more water as compared to a dog on a canned food diet, which can contain up to 80% water. 
        If your dog does not get enough water, they can become dehydrated. 
Some ways to check if your dog is dehydrated are:

1. Check skin elasticity- Gently grab the skin on their back between their shoulder blades and pull it up, then let it go. The skin should return to normal quickly, if there is a delay or the skin stays up before returning to normal your dog is dehydrated. (P.S. The same test can be done for humans by pinching the skin on your forearm.)
2. Check their Gums- If your dog’s gums are dry or sticky, they need more water. To further investigate, use your finger to press on the gums causing the gum to turn white under your finger. When you release your finger, the gum should return to a healthy pink color within 2 seconds. If it takes 3 seconds or more for the gum to return to normal your dog is dehydrated. 

        There are several reasons your dog may become dehydrated including vomiting, fever, excessive urination, and diarrhea. (Just like humans ). This may also be a sign of an underlying health condition.  If you think your dog is not consuming enough water consult with your veterinarian to rule out any underlying illnesses that may be causing dehydration. 
 
Tips to improve your dog's water intake:

•  Provide plenty of fresh water in a clean bowl that is easily accessible
•  Flavor their water with bone or chicken broth to make it more attractive
•  Add some water or broth to their dry food

•  Mix canned and dry dog food

See PT 2 for the remaining mistakes you might unknowlingly be making!