Nutrition

Just like you and I, dogs need the right food in the right amounts in order to be healthy and happy. It’s also a legal requirement for dog owners to make sure their dog has a suitable diet.

Do you eat the same amount as a one-year-old? Or how about your Dad or Uncle – do they eat more than you? ‘Life-stage feeding’ means feeding your dog different food at different ages or stages of their life, according to their needs. For example, puppies need food containing more calories because they are so energetic. 

Just like people, most of a dog’s body is made up of water – 80% of it in fact!

Water is absolutely essential for every function of its body. A dog needs water because without water, a dog is not going to survive for very long.

Your dog should have easy access to fresh, clean water at all times of the day and night, inside and outside. When traveling in the car, make sure you stop for water breaks – have a bowl and lots of water bottles available in your car.

A very common mistake that some people make is thinking dogs, especially puppies, should be given milk – where in fact they shouldn’t ever be given milk!

Most dogs are lactose intolerant. Lactose is a sugar found in milk. Being ‘intolerant’ to this sugar, means your body cannot digest it properly, which causes a very upset tummy, cramps and even severe diarrhoea (squirty poo!)

All mammal babies, like puppies, start their lives by drinking milk from their mother. However, for the digestive system to handle this milk - or particularly to process milk’s special form of sugar called lactose – their body needs to produce a special enzyme called lactase. Lactase is produced by the body as long as there is milk to be consumed. Usually once a puppy moves on to solid foods their mother will stop feeding them milk and their body will stop making lactase. Once the body stops producing lactase, it never re-starts. Without lactase, the dog will not be able to digest or handle milk and therefore they will feel yucky and sick if they drink it.

So remember – your dog or puppy may really like the taste of the fat in milk, but your dog or puppy doesn't know what "lactose intolerance" is! They won’t understand that drinking it will make them sick. So if you give it to them they will probably lap it up and then end up having a very sore stomach!

Fresh, clean water is all dogs need to drink.

• Many people like to reward their dog with dog treats. However, doggy treats should only be fed in very small amounts and the amount of food given in the main meal should be reduced if treats are fed. This is to avoid unhealthy weight gain. 
• Human food should never be given to dogs as a treat. Human food like chocolate and grapes are poisonous to dogs, while chips, lollies, biscuits and cheese are high in sugar and fat, so they also shouldn’t be fed to dogs.
• Bones are another type of treat that people like to give their dog. We often see pictures of dogs with bones but it is really important to remember to never give your dog small or cooked bones, as they can break and splinter and get stuck in the throat or inside of your dog. If your family want to give your dog a bone - only give large uncooked cannon bones. All other bones could hurt or make your dog very sick.
• Remember, it is super-duper important to always stay well away from a dog while they are eating food or chewing on a bone. They may get very grumpy and even bite you if they think you are coming to take their food or bone away from them!
• If your family is ever unsure about your dog’s weight or anything to do with their diet, they should contact your dog’s veterinarian. Your dog’s vet will know your dog specifically and are the best person to give you and your family the right advice for your dog.