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Dog owners warned of do’s
and don’ts for Christmas feeding
Dog owners are being urged
to follow some simple do’s and don’ts for feeding and treating their furry
friends to keep them happy and healthy at Christmas.
Overfeeding and
inappropriate foods often cause health problems for pets at Christmas, when
people might feed their dog like another human member of the family,
according to veterinarian Dr Danielle Haack from P&G Pet Care. *
“Occasional small treats
are fine, but dogs really need a quality, nutritionally balanced diet every
day of the year to maintain optimum health inside and out,” Dr Haack said.
The Four Dog Don’ts of Christmas
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1. Don’t
assume that “just a little treat” is okay:
one piece of bacon (or ham) for your dog is equivalent to a human eating
thirteen pieces of bacon.
2. Many foods we love are dangerous and potentially harmful to your dog.
Don’t feed your dog chocolate, grapes, raisins (such as in Christmas pudding
or fruit mince pies), garlic, onion, avocado, coffee beans or grounds, tea
or cooked bones (such as your Christmas turkey), which could splinter and
become stuck in your dog’s throat.
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3. Don’t
alter your dog’s normal feeding routine
– don’t give them lunch just because the family is enjoying a festive meal.
4. Don’t
give your dog more food than usual,
particularly if they’re not exercising as much over Christmas – just an
extra kilo or two can make a small dog obese.
The Four Dog Do’s of Christmas
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1. Feed your dog a high quality, nutritionally dense
dog food
to ensure they’re getting the nourishment they need (some supermarket brands
contain fillers that add bulk rather than nutrition). Ask your local vet or
pet store for advice.
2. Look for a dog food that contains prebiotics,
a new type of fibre that promotes good gastrointestinal health, nutrient
absorption, immunity and overall wellness in dogs and helps prevent stomach
and bowel upsets.
Prebiotics,
such as in Eukanuba dog foods, promote the growth of ‘good’ bacteria (such
as Lactobacilli) and limit the number of ‘bad’ bacteria.
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3. Give
your dog non-food treats
such as toys, a new collar, a comfy dog bed… even reindeer antlers or a
jaunty red bow!
4. Show
your dog you love them at Christmas
by taking them for walks, playing with them and showing them lots of
affection.
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