International Dogs’ Day on August 26 has to be everyone’s favourite day of the year. Even better than Christmas. Well, for those of us who are obsessed canine carers, anyway. And of course, what better way to spoil Fido on International Dogs’ Day than with his favourite thing in the world – food (second of course to mud)!
But beware, according to premium pet food company Black Hawk over 41 percent of Aussie dogs are obese. Hardly surprising really, given that many commercial dog foods and treats are laden with added fats and artificial flavours, as well as excess sugars and salts. They are also packed with preservatives.
In fact, the widely popular Netflix documentary, Pet Fooled, reminds us that many mainstream dog treats and snacks may have been kept in a warehouse for years before they actually make it to the supermarket shelf. That’s a lot of preservatives and not very much nutrition.
Your dog doesn’t need those additives. In fact, these additives are more likely to make your dog obese, give them chronic allergies, make them unwell and perhaps even cause cancer, chronic arthritis or other life-threatening diseases – even in the early or mid-stages of their lives. That’s not to say you can’t indulge them on the regular though – just be mindful of portion sizes and the quality of the ingredients that is in their food.
Treat Time
Treats are an incredible training tool for your dog, as well as a wonderful way to reward them when they’ve been a good boy/girl (which is always, am I right?). They’re especially warranted on International Dogs’ Day!
However, not all treats are created equal! It’s wise to avoid supermarket bought varieties, which as we’ve noted above, could be years old and are likely to be packed with addictive and unhealthy fats, sugars, salts, flavours and preservatives.
Instead, opt for an all-natural, preservative-free brand such as Nude Pets. This independent Aussie made brand creates its treats in small batches, using only premium, free-range meats. All the treats are single ingredient offerings and contain no nasties – no added sugar, salt, fat, flavours or preservatives. The treats are premium free-range meats, sourced ethically and locally.
The range includes options like Twiggies, which serve a tasty treat and help to keep teeth and gums clean and healthy. They’re made from pure goat tendon and are a safe, healthy alternative to potentially dangerous raw hide treats. Then there’s Moo Chews, made from 100 percent Aussie beef, and Chicken Jerky, made from free-range chicken breast. And if you can’t decide, opt for the Clean Label ‘Pick ‘n Mix, which has a little bit of everything (a little like a 150g pack of mixed lollies for your dog).
As always, don’t go overboard. As hard as it is to resist those puppy dog eyes, even healthy treats can be fattening if you feed them too much. Plus, pups with sensitive tummies can get the runs from overeating treats!
Out and About
Daily exercise is of course essential for both you and your dog. The old saying rings true – ‘if your dog is overweight, you’re not getting enough exercise’. Think your dog might be in the danger zone? Try Black Hawk’s Dog Check, which runs the analytics on your dog and shows you how it would look were it in human form. You may be surprised by the results.
Try a new diet on International Dogs’ Day
Why not make this year’s International Dog Day the start of a healthier lifestyle for both you and your dog? Ditch the supermarket bought tinned foods and reach instead for fresh chicken, chicken hearts, bones, sardines and if you wish, throw in some quality kibble like Black Hawk or Royal Canin.
Be very careful with kibble though – it is extremely calorie dense and too much can cause your pup to gain weight quite rapidly. Ensure your dog’s meal is 2/3 fresh/wet food to 1/3 dried kibble. Or skip the kibble altogether and let them eat as they might in the wild – a mixture of raw meats and bones and some vegetables.
“Bear in mind dogs do not contain the enzyme required to digest the cellulose in plants, so if you are going to include veggies in your dog’s dinner, ensure they are pulverised or mashed up as much as possible. A food processor is great for this,” says QLD Animal Nutritionist Ruth Hatten.
Also, forget the corn, wheat and refined starches. “They actually promote fat storage and can contribute to diabetes, obesity and cancer,” according to Ruth.
“Dogs don’t need carbohydrates and the majority of store-bought foods sometimes have up to 60 percent carbs. Dogs thrive on and need protein and fats – they are the two macronutrients that dogs need.”
You will find your way as to what you want to feed your pet, but our best advice is to look for the least processed and the freshest options possible. If you don’t have time to make it yourself, home delivery pet food services such as Lyka and BARF deliver raw food diets pre-made to cover all your pet’s nutritional requirements.
Some folks raise their dogs as vegetarians and vegan. Just don’t, is the general advice from vets and animal nutritionists we’ve spoken with over the years. While some dogs may thrive on a diet of veggies, by nature canines are omnivores and need meat to survive and thrive. If you are vegan and you’re after a vegan pet, perhaps consider a rabbit or a horse.
Just like humans, your dog requires a healthy diet from whole foods and quality ingredients. Now, there’s a lot of varying opinions on what is best to feed your pet, but I think we can all agree, it’s far better to feed your pet with great nutrition and low fat/salts/sugar than it is to keep your vet’s bank account fat with repeated visits from a sick dog. Lyka recently shared these five top tips with their customer base, and we think it’s a great guide.
- Check the carbohydrate content of your dog’s food – anything above 40% is considered high
- Opt for a high protein / low carbohydrate diet (unless your pet has liver or kidney issues) as it can improve weight control without losing muscle mass
- Check how much food you’re serving to ensure you’re not overfeeding. Ask your vet what amount you should be giving for your dog’s size, breed and exercise levels.
- Pet-grade dog food is largely unregulated in Australia, so opt for human-grade dog food, with ingredients that are clearly labelled and fit for human consumption. CosBeauty also suggests opting for single ingredient meals, especially if your pooch has a sensitive tummy.
- Avoid processed dog food if you can as new research has questioned its role in causing skin inflammation, and it could also be contaminated with carcinogens
We all want what is best for our pets, so check their diet is en pointe, ensure they have regular health check-ups with the vet (don’t wait until something goes wrong), and give them lots of love, always!
Happy International Dogs’ Day! Remember – everyone thinks they have the world’s best dog, and everyone is right!
