Tips & tricks
The dogs
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The dog is the first animal species to have been domesticated by Man. The oldest confirmed domestic dog remains are 33,000 years old, thus several decades old to those of any other known domestic species. Since Prehistory, the dog has accompanied the man throughout his sedentarization phase, marked by the appearance of the first agricultural civilizations. It was at this moment that he acquired the capacity to digest starch, and that his auxiliary functions of man expanded. These new functions have led to increased differentiation of the subspecies and the gradual emergence of identifiable canine breeds.
Dog is used today as a working animal and as pet. His pack instinct, his early domestication and the behavioural characteristics resulting from it are familiarly known as the 'best friend of Man'.
Food
As dogs feed on a single diet day after day, food must be of good quality and balanced and this, within the very first months of life. Quality food will have an impact on animal health throughout their lives. Food will also help to prevent health problems, sometimes grave.
A good food must contain quality proteins and in appropriate quantity, antioxidants and a good digestibility rate. Formulas meeting the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) criteria are certified balanced.
For the first months of life it is recommended to divide food into three meals a day to calmly move towards two meals a day (between 6 and 12 months). It is important to avoid automatic dispensers and leave food at will! On the other hand, it is important to always provide fresh water. Small dog breeds must switch to adult food around 6-9 months. Medium sized dog breeds will switch to adult food around 9-12 months. Large breeds and giant breeds can switch to adult foods at around 18 months of age. Any food transition should be done gradually over about a week.For customers who own multiple pets, it would be a wise move to feed them in separate bowls, and perhaps in separate rooms. It will allow to follow up on the appetite of each of them. In addition, if one day, an animal needs special-need food, it will be possible to give this food only to the animal concerned. It is recommended to measure dog food and always give a little less than the suggested amount on the bag. This amount is frequently exaggerated or calculated for a very active or athletic animal, which is rarely the case.
Carnivorous or omnivorous ?
A popular belief is that the dog is carnivorous and is physiologically designed to eat only meat. Several companies have therefore bet on the fact that their food contains a higher protein, and therefore meat, and that it would be beneficial for the dog. In fact, according to the research done so far on canine anatomy, it would be rather the happy mixture between a carnivore and a herbivore.
The premolars are used by dogs to grind grain, filled with omega 3, vitamins and amino acids essential to their metabolism. In addition, their digestive tract is longer than that of a carnivore but shorter than that of an herbivore. The length of the digestive tract is directly related to the digestion of food. The dog can digest grains as much as meat.
Tips and hints
- Choose a quiet area, far from where you eat
- Give him his meal on an easy clean surface (linoleum our carpet)
- Give him fresh water in a metal or ceramic bowl. Drink promotes the proper functioning of his kidneys and reduces the risk of urinary diseases
- It is not recommended to add mineral supplements (calcium) blindly in order to avoid phospho-calcium ratio imbalance
