Adoptable Pets

~Dry food or wet food?

     –Pros (Dry): Dry food is easy to measure out and store, its cheaper than wet food, has a longer shelf life, and is easy to move around.

     –Cons (Dry): They have reduced fat content and increased carbohydrate content to preserve the shape of the kibble, which may be insufficient for more active dogs. And, some dogs may have trouble eating dry food due to their weak teeth.

     –Pros (Wet): Dogs tend to prefer wet food because it tastes better and is more “meaty”. Wet food is also moister, so it can be better for the dog’s belly. Wet food also often has more protein than dry food, which is important to a dog’s nutrition. 

     –Cons (Wet): Wet foods need to be refrigerated after opening and only have a shelf life of around one or two days. Wet foods can also lead up to plaque buildup on the dog’s teeth if the teeth aren’t cleaned well.

~What kinds of food should I give my dog?

     -When feeding your dog food other than human food, you need to be very careful about what you’re going to give the dog. There is various food that is poisonous to dogs that aren’t poisonous to humans. A list of foods can be found HERE. In addition to this, high sugar, high fat, and high sodium shouldn’t be fed to dogs, as those foods aren’t good for the dog’s health in the long term.

~How much food should I give my dog each day?

     -How much your dog eats should depend on the dog’s weight, age, and activity levels. A chart for adult dogs can be found HERE. The amount you should feed your dog is still dependent on the food being fed, so be sure to check the amount listed on the packaging for a more accurate value. Puppies should be fed from three to four times a day in small meals based on how much the puppy is eating. For example, if the puppy is leaving food in the bowl, that could mean you could eliminate a meal each day or that the puppy is being fed too much.

~When should I feed my dog?

     -You should feed your (adult) dog around two times per day, about twelve hours apart from each other, close to breakfast and dinner time. This would be different for puppies, as puppies may eat three to four times a day, for instance, during breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

~Can I feed my dog leftovers?

     -It is recommended that you don’t feed your dogs leftovers, as this could increase the chances of your dog becoming overweight, developing bad habits, and eating unhealthy or poisonous foods.

~Can I feed my dog bones?

     -Bones are fine to give to dogs, but make sure to give the right type; don’t give your dog cooked bones, don’t allow your dog to chew the bones into smaller pieces, and don’t give your dog bones if your dog has stomach issues. You should offer raw meat bones, take the bone away after ten to fifteen minutes (put the bone in a refrigerator afterward), and give larger dogs larger bones, and supervise your dog when it has a bone.

~Does my dog need supplements? 

     -The decision on whether or not to give your dog supplements depends on the situation. If you believe your dog should have a specific health need, need, you should first consult your veterinarian to make sure there are no complications or health concerns.