Dogs training
Owning a dog is a pleasure for many people, but it is also a huge responsibility. Doing it properly means careful planning and careful care, as it can be distressing and costly if your puppy has health or psychological issues, as owning a dog can result in huge veterinary bills.
In order to take this step, you need to know all about owning a dog, from the appropriate and preferred foods to what they are forbidden to eat, to understanding some of the activities that dogs enjoy and enjoy doing, and most importantly, how they breed, ways to handle pregnancy and care for puppies.
Foods not recommended for dogs
There are many breeders who offer dog foods that they should not eat, but this can certainly negatively affect the health of the dog, so here is a list of the most dangerous foods that are not recommended for dogs:
- Xylitol: Candy, chewing gum, toothpaste, baked goods and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol, a type of sweetener that can cause a dog's blood sugar to drop too low and can also cause liver failure. Early symptoms include vomiting and lethargy.
- Avocado: Excessive intake of avocado may cause vomiting or diarrhea in dogs. Avocado seeds can settle in the intestines or stomach and blockage can be fatal.
- Alcohol: Alcohol has the same effect on the dog’s liver and brain as it does on humans, but it takes much less time in dogs. Once a little alcohol is consumed, the dog will vomit, diarrhea, breathing problems, coma and even death.
- Onions and garlic: Onions and garlic can kill red blood cells in dogs causing anemia.
- Coffee, tea and other caffeine: Caffeine can be fatal to dogs so take care by keeping dogs away from coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate and energy drinks.
- Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Just a small amount makes the dog sick, vomiting frequently, lethargy and depression.
- Milk and other dairy products: Excessive amounts of milk and milk products can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems, and can also cause food allergies, which can make them itch.
- Chocolate: Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs. The problem with chocolate is theobromine, an ingredient found in all types of chocolate, even white chocolate. Chocolate can cause your dog to vomit, have diarrhea, heart problems, tremors, seizures, and death.
- Fat and Bones: The fat cut from cooked and undercooked meat can cause pancreatitis in dogs, and although it seems normal to give your dog a bone, they can choke on it, and the bones can also crack and cause wounds in your dog's digestive system.
- Raw eggs: Some people feed dogs a “raw diet” that includes uncooked eggs, but veterinarians recommend against doing so as it poses a health risk to dogs.
- Peaches, plums and persimmons: The problem with these fruits is the seeds. Their seeds can cause problems in the small intestine of the dog, and clog the intestines as well. The seeds of peaches and plums also contain cyanide, which is a toxic substance.
- Raw meat and fish: Like raw eggs, raw meat and fish can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning.
- Salty foods: It is not a good idea for dogs to eat salty foods such as chips or pretzels. Eating too much salt can make the dog feel very thirsty. Symptoms of too much salt also include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, chills, high temperature, seizures and even death.
- Sugary foods and drinks: Too much sugar can do the same thing to dogs as it does to humans. It can make your dog gain weight, cause dental problems, and even lead to diabetes.
Favorite dog food
Dogs have a different digestive system than humans, and this means that some foods that are safe for humans can be harmful or even very dangerous for dogs. However, many human foods are also safe for dogs and can provide them with important health benefits and they prefer their taste as well. The following list:
Natural Foods
- Carrots: Carrots are a healthy food for dogs. Chewing carrots can help remove plaque from their teeth and promote dental health. It is also a good source of vitamin A and is beneficial for the dog’s immune system, but it should be eaten in moderation so that excessive consumption of it does not cause poisoning.
- Apples: Apples provide many important vitamins for dogs, including vitamins A and C, and are also a good source of fiber, which can help regulate your dog's digestion.
- White rice: Plain, cooked white rice can be a good option for a dog with an upset stomach as it is easy to digest and helps with bowel movements.
- Dairy products: Dairy products such as milk, cheese and plain yogurt are safe for dogs, but in very small quantities because eating them in excess leads to the major problems mentioned above.
- Fish: Salmon, shrimp, and tuna are all safe for dogs and good sources of protein, provided they are thoroughly cooked before serving them.
- Chicken: Regular boiled chicken without seasoning is a good option when your dog has an upset stomach.
- Peanut Butter: Unsalted peanut butter with no added sugar or sweeteners is safe for dogs, but in moderation.
- Regular popcorn: Plain popcorn can be a delicious meal for dogs, but without salt, butter or sugar, as popcorn contains minerals such as magnesium, phosphorous and zinc, all of which are important for maintaining the health of dogs.
- Turkey: Cooked turkey is safe for dogs, as many commercial dog foods contain turkey as a good source of protein.
- Blueberries: Berries are safe for dogs and a rich source of fiber and antioxidants.
- Bananas: Dogs can eat bananas in moderation as they are full of magnesium, which is important for bone health.
- Cucumber: Cucumber is a safe and low-calorie snack for dogs and can be a good option for those who are overweight.
- Green Beans: Plain green beans are a good and healthy snack for dogs. They are a source of protein and also contain calcium, iron and vitamin K.
- Watermelon: Dogs can safely eat the flesh of the watermelon, but do not feed them the seeds or peel. Watermelon is a delicious meal for them.
Processed or commercial foods
There are three main types of commercial dog food (wet, dry and semi-moist) and the three types differ in a number of characteristics including moisture content, palatability or taste, nutritional benefits and cost.
Wet Food
All wet foods contain 75 to 80 percent water, 8 to 15 percent protein, and 2 to 15 percent fat, and due to the higher moisture content dogs can eat more of this type of food without gaining weight.
Canned wet foods offer higher palatability when compared to dry and semi-moist products which is good for hard eaters and toothless dogs, but wet food also has a higher cost per serving.
Dry Food
Dry food comes in bags and contains 18 to 40 percent protein, 7 to 22 percent fat, 12 to 50 percent carbohydrates and about 10 percent moisture.
Dry dog food comes in different shapes, sizes and colors because dogs distinguish the texture, density, size and shape of food and the way the food is sensed in the mouth contributes to its palatability, and one of the advantages of dry dog food is that it works like a toothbrush, which helps remove plaque and tartar from the dog’s teeth while eating Plus, food stays fresh longer than semi-moist, canned foods.
Semi Wet Food
This type of food is usually sold in pouch boxes and contains approximately 15 to 25 percent protein, 5 to 10 percent fat, 25 to 35 percent carbohydrates and about 30 percent water.
Semi-wet food is very palatable although it is more expensive than dry food, however they should not be fed this type as a substitute for dry or wet food as it is high in sugar and salt.
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Dog Food