Informations et conseils
Informations et conseils
The Dogs
The dog is the first animal species to have been domesticated by Man. The oldest confirmed remains of a domestic dog are 33,000 years old, thus predating by several tens of thousands of years those of any other known domestic species. Since prehistoric times, the dog has accompanied man throughout his sedentary phase, marked by the appearance of the first agricultural civilizations. It was at this time that he acquired the ability to digest starch, and that his functions as an auxiliary to man expanded. These new functions led to an increased differentiation of the subspecies and the gradual appearance of identifiable dog breeds.
The dog is now used both as a working animal and as a pet. Its pack instinct, early domestication and the resulting behavioral characteristics have earned it the nickname "man's best friend."
Food
Since dogs eat a single diet day after day, it must be balanced and of good quality, starting in the first months of the animal's life. Quality food will have an impact on the health of animals throughout their lives. It will help prevent certain health problems that can sometimes be serious.
A good food should contain adequate amounts of quality protein, antioxidants, and should have a good digestibility rate. Formulas that meet the criteria of the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) are certified as balanced and well-balanced.
For the first few months of life, it is recommended to divide the animal's diet into three meals a day, to gradually move towards 2 meals a day (between 6 and 12 months). It is important to avoid automatic dispensers and not to leave food at will! However, it is important to always offer fresh water at will. Small dog breeds should switch to adult food around 6-9 months. Medium-sized dog breeds will make the transition around 9-12 months. As for large and giant breeds, they can switch to adult food around 18 months. Any food transition should be done gradually over about a week.
For clients who have several animals, it would be wise to get into the habit of feeding each one in their own bowl, separately, or even in separate rooms. This allows for good monitoring of each one's appetite. In addition, if one day an animal requires specialized food, it will be possible to give this food only to the animal concerned. It is recommended to measure the amount of food given to the dog at each meal and always give a little less than the amount suggested on the bag. This amount is often exaggerated or calculated for a very active and athletic animal, which is rarely the case.
Carnivore or omnivore?
A popular belief is that dogs are carnivores and are physiologically designed to eat only meat. Several companies have therefore bet on the fact that their food contains a higher level of protein, and therefore meat, and that this would be beneficial for the dog. In fact, according to the research done so far on canine anatomy, it would rather be the happy mix between a carnivore and a herbivore.
Premolars are used by dogs to grind grains, which are full of 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 a herbivore. The length of the digestive tract is directly related to the digestion of food. The dog can therefore digest grains as well as meat.
Tips and advice
- Choose a quiet place, away from where you eat your meals.
- Have him eat on an easy-to-clean surface (linoleum or carpet)
- Give him fresh water in a metal or ceramic bowl. Drinking 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 an imbalance in the phospho-calcium ratio.