Before And After The Meal: Some Tips
There are many questions regarding dog nutrition. What is the best time of day to give him food? How much should I put in the bowl? Can they eat vegetables?
Furthermore, we often do not know what to do before and after the dog’s meal (or dogs if you have more than one). So here are some simple tips to follow.
What to do before feeding the dog?
The dog is the reflection of the owner. It is not a way of saying, but a reality.
Based on how we behave with our dogs and how we educate them, so will they behave. Among the good habits we remind you of:
Always leave him water to drink
Your dog may be thirsty at any time of the day and it is important that he can always find his bowl with water. But be careful: you shouldn’t get used to drinking continuously either, because it’s not good for your health. If you plan to be away from home all day remember to prepare a larger bowl.
Soften the food
This advice especially applies to those who have puppies in the house. Add warm water to dry food to soften it, even if it is special for their age.
Calculate the rations
The table on the package indicates the amount of food to be given to the dog, according to age and build. Ask your veterinarian for confirmation.
Store food well
Do not leave food in the refrigerator or in a humid place. Don’t even leave it within your dog’s reach, he won’t think twice about spilling the contents of the bag or gorging himself. If you opt for a homemade baby food, always check that it is still fresh, well refrigerated and that it has not gotten dirty.
Clean the bowl well
There are those who wash the bowl before filling it or after the dog has emptied it. In the latter case, we advise you to rinse the container anyway before putting the food in. Some other animal or the dog itself may have passed by.
Separate the dogs
If you have more than one dog in the house, it might be a good habit to separate them at mealtimes. You can take the bowls to two different places in the house or garden. This will prevent dogs from fighting or feeling obliged to empty the bowl in a hurry for “fear” that the other will take away their food.
How to behave after the dog has eaten?
After talking about the good habits to adopt before feeding your dog, let’s see what to do next.
Avoid taking the dog for a walk immediately after eating
It is not recommended to take the dog for a walk immediately after eating and even less to make him exercise. The animal needs some quiet time to finish the digestive process. Similarly, it is not recommended to make him exercise just before eating: the movement stimulates the appetite and it is likely that once they return home, the dog will avidly throw themselves on the food.
Don’t keep leftovers
In case the dog does not empty the plate (because it is already full or because it did not like it), throw the leftovers in the garbage. Avoid storing them for the next time.
Protect it from the climate
If the day is very hot or very cold, if it is raining or windy, it will be good to protect the dog until it completes its digestion. Allow him to stay indoors or set up a small house outside to sleep as long as necessary.
No to games after eating
Our dogs are just like us. Would you like to run, play volleyball or ride a bike right after eating? Obviously not. The same goes for your four-legged friend. Do not disturb him and do not insist on throwing the ball or stick or involving him in some other game.
Don’t let him drink too much water
Once in the stomach, dry food must be broken down, it must not swell. This happens, however, when the dog drinks a lot of water as soon as he has finished eating. Give him a little and then remove the bowl for a while. Wait two hours before starting to give him water again.
These are small tips to follow before and after feeding your dog; they are simple but great for your health.
