Feeding Tips
Is My Aussie Fat?
People often think it is a 'kindness' to feed an animal as much as they want, and give them access to the food 24/7. However, this can lead to obesity in your dog. Just like overweight people, an overweight dog can have problems with the heart, joints, and even diabetes among many other conditions. Being 10 percent overweight decreases a dog's life span by approximately one third. Also, one of the first signs of a health issue in your dog is decreased appetite, and it's hard to tell whether or not your Aussie is eating when everyone in the house is topping off the food bowl throughout the day. One of the first questions your vet will ask you when you bring your dog in for an emergency or illness is 'how is your dog's appetite? When was the last time your dog ate?'. Your adult dog only needs to be fed the appropriate amount in one or two meals per day.
Image Courtesy of Nestlé Purina PetCare -
please visit us at www.purina.com
This chart by Purina is a good example of various weights. A dog with an ideal weight should have a slightly up-tucked waist, and a moderate waistline when viewed from above. When you run a hand over the rib cage you should be able to feel individual ribs covered by a thin fat layer. If you can't feel your Aussie's ribs, then he or she is overweight.
Quality Counts
So many commercial foods are claiming to be good for your dog. It is true that there are regulations set up to ensure that a dog's minimum nutritional needs are met, but not all dog foods are created equal. Dry dog kibble is full of cheap fillers, and while a certain amount of grains can be okay, too much isn't healthy either. One of the easiest ways to determine the quality of a brand is to look at the ingredients on the bag. The first ingredient should be a specified type of meat (such as 'Chicken', 'Lamb', etc). If the first ingredient is a grain (corn, wheat, etc), or the type of meat used is not specified, pass that brand up. Better yet, try to shoot for a brand that has meat or eggs listed as two of the first three ingredients. The closer an ingredient is to the top of the list, the more there is of it in the kibble.
Another point to make a note of is the dyes in dog food. Why would a dog, who cannot see in the colors we do, care what color his or her food is? The answer lies in marketing; we - the ones who choose what will be fed to our dogs - think it looks good! So we buy it! In truth however, dyes are not good for people, and they're worse for dogs (as well as completely unnecessary). They can often cause digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea in your Aussie. Try to avoid dog foods that have any type of dye in them (i.e. the bright and colorful ones are not as tasty as they look).
Here is a comparison of the ingredients in two different brands of dog food; on the left is a poor brand, and on the right is 4Health Large Breed, a recipe that we have been pleased with:
Another point to make a note of is the dyes in dog food. Why would a dog, who cannot see in the colors we do, care what color his or her food is? The answer lies in marketing; we - the ones who choose what will be fed to our dogs - think it looks good! So we buy it! In truth however, dyes are not good for people, and they're worse for dogs (as well as completely unnecessary). They can often cause digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea in your Aussie. Try to avoid dog foods that have any type of dye in them (i.e. the bright and colorful ones are not as tasty as they look).
Here is a comparison of the ingredients in two different brands of dog food; on the left is a poor brand, and on the right is 4Health Large Breed, a recipe that we have been pleased with:
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Ground yellow corn, meat and bone meal, soybean meal, poultry by-product meal, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid), corn gluten meal, natural flavor, brewers rice, salt, potassium chloride, color added (titanium dioxide, yellow #5, yellow #6, red #40, blue #2), choline chloride, zinc sulfate, vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, niacin, copper sulfate, vitamin A supplement, biotin, manganous oxide, calcium pantothenate, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity), riboflavin supplement, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, cobalt carbonate
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Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Cracked Pearled Barley, Ground White Rice, Rice Bran, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Egg Product, Fish Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Dried Chicory Root, Choline Chloride, L-Carnitine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Reuteri Fermentation Product, Vitamin E Supplement, Chondroitin Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Vitamin D Supplement, Folic Acid.
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The first problem with the poor brand is found in the very first ingredient - corn. It only gets worse from there, as it is followed by meat and bone meal. It does not even specify what kind of meat! Your dog could be eating anything, which is more than a little disturbing. The third ingredient is soybean meal. Soybeans are high in protein, but it is a plant-based protein. Further down the list we see a host of added dyes, followed by the necessary vitamins. All in all, this food is of very poor quality indeed!
As for the 4Health, the first ingredient is chicken, followed by chicken meal. This is a higher grade meat concentrate. 4Health also adds egg, fish meal, chicken fat, and fish oil to their food. These bring in some variety to the proteins as well as some excellent Omega fats that are great for your Aussie's coat and overall health. They also add probiotics to aid in digestion. Finally, you don't see any dyes. Overall 4Health is an affordable, easily accessible (it's retailed at Tractor Supply) and healthy choice for your Aussie.
Want to see how your chosen brand measures up? Check out Dog Food Advisor!
Remember, before choosing a brand of food for your Aussie, check the ingredients!
As for the 4Health, the first ingredient is chicken, followed by chicken meal. This is a higher grade meat concentrate. 4Health also adds egg, fish meal, chicken fat, and fish oil to their food. These bring in some variety to the proteins as well as some excellent Omega fats that are great for your Aussie's coat and overall health. They also add probiotics to aid in digestion. Finally, you don't see any dyes. Overall 4Health is an affordable, easily accessible (it's retailed at Tractor Supply) and healthy choice for your Aussie.
Want to see how your chosen brand measures up? Check out Dog Food Advisor!
Remember, before choosing a brand of food for your Aussie, check the ingredients!
Doggie Junk Food
Just like dessert for people, treats need to be limited for your Aussie. Too many treats can offset the balance of their diet, as well as cause obesity. We often use and recommend food as a reward for positive reinforcement training here, but the 'rewards' (treats) are not fistfuls of them. A good size for a treat is about half the size of the nail on your little finger. Not only will your treats stretch further, but they won't upset your Aussie's dietary balance. Also, the same rules apply for treats as for dog food: pick a quality treat, preferably without any dyes or propylene glycol. Oftentimes, your Aussie will be just as happy with a piece of his or her own kibble!
Avoid feeding your Aussie people food. This, too, can cause dietary upset and obesity. While a little cheese or a piece off of your steak will be all right every once in a while, scooping the leftovers on everyone's plate into his or her bowl after dinner every night is a very bad idea. Dogs are not garbage disposals; they are animals with digestive systems that require balance. Also, there are some foods that are actually very poisonous to dogs that are perfectly harmless to us. These include chocolate, onions, garlic, avocados, grapes and raisins, fresh yeast (found in raw bread dough and the like), fruit cores, caffeine, alcohol, and large amounts of foods high in fat (such as milk, cheese, bacon, etc).
Avoid feeding your Aussie people food. This, too, can cause dietary upset and obesity. While a little cheese or a piece off of your steak will be all right every once in a while, scooping the leftovers on everyone's plate into his or her bowl after dinner every night is a very bad idea. Dogs are not garbage disposals; they are animals with digestive systems that require balance. Also, there are some foods that are actually very poisonous to dogs that are perfectly harmless to us. These include chocolate, onions, garlic, avocados, grapes and raisins, fresh yeast (found in raw bread dough and the like), fruit cores, caffeine, alcohol, and large amounts of foods high in fat (such as milk, cheese, bacon, etc).
Raw Feeding
We are now feeding our dogs a BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet. Their coats and skin are healthier than ever, their teeth are pearly white without any brushing, and their lean muscle development is excellent. Raw feeding is a lengthy topic so we won't go into too much detail, but it is one we have become passionate about if done correctly.
We follow the 80/10/10+10 rule:
Feeding a raw diet can be time consuming, may be costly depending on the area where you live and your access to bulk raw food sources, and it is not something we recommend jumping into without doing a lot of homework. If your dog is not fed a balanced diet over time, they can become deficient and ill. Avoid this by having an appropriate meal plan that meets all of your dog's nutritional needs!
We follow the 80/10/10+10 rule:
- 80% Meat (any muscles and certain organs like heart/lungs)
- 10% Bone (poultry legs or wings; animal ribs, necks, shoulders; etc)
- 10% Organ (5% is liver, other 5% are secreting organs like kidneys, pancreas, testicles, etc)
- Additional 10% Vegetables/Fruits/Herbs (lots of greens, berries, and roots rich in vit/min that are safe/appropriate for dogs - pureed to aid digestion).
Feeding a raw diet can be time consuming, may be costly depending on the area where you live and your access to bulk raw food sources, and it is not something we recommend jumping into without doing a lot of homework. If your dog is not fed a balanced diet over time, they can become deficient and ill. Avoid this by having an appropriate meal plan that meets all of your dog's nutritional needs!
Safety First
Are My Aussie's Toys Safe?
Many people do not realize how unsafe many bones and toys are for their dogs. Some toys are only appropriate for dogs of a certain size or age, and some are simply a hazard! Here is a quick guide for what is safe for your Aussie, and what could be potentially dangerous.
These are NOT safe for your Aussie:
Any cooked bones
Hooves (choking hazard)
Rawhides
Most plush toys (ok for young puppies)
Toys that can be ok for gentle-moderate chewers:
Rope Toys
Rubber balls
Tough, well-made fabric toys
These are usually SAFE for any Aussie, including aggressive chewers:
Nylabones
Kongs
Raw bones
Large antlers
Tire toys
These are NOT safe for your Aussie:
Any cooked bones
Hooves (choking hazard)
Rawhides
Most plush toys (ok for young puppies)
Toys that can be ok for gentle-moderate chewers:
Rope Toys
Rubber balls
Tough, well-made fabric toys
These are usually SAFE for any Aussie, including aggressive chewers:
Nylabones
Kongs
Raw bones
Large antlers
Tire toys
Size
There is a real choking hazard for toys that are too small for your dog. Just like a baby, don't give them something that could potentially fit down their throat. For Aussies 0-6 months, toys should be at least 4" long; for 6mo+, at least 6" and they should be thick enough that they couldn't be quickly chewed through or snap when chewed on. Balls should be no smaller than an average tennis ball (slightly smaller than your clenched fist). Most toys have a label telling you what size toy is best for your dog's size and chewing ability. These are usually reliable, but measure them to be sure for yourself if you're in any doubt. Look at the toy, then at your dog - could you see the toy fitting down your Aussie's throat?
Toys Galore...
These are just a few of the popular types of toys that dog owners hand out to their canines. It would be impossible to list every type of toy out there on this website, so here are some guidelines to follow when choosing your Aussie's toys:
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No matter what type of toys you hand out, always keep an eye on your Aussie and check their bones and toys regularly. Toss a toy immediately if:
We have heard one too many horror stories from friends and family to not take the safety of our Aussie's toys seriously. Many dogs become sick, require surgery, and even die because they swallowed something unsafe. Always be careful what you give your dog to play with.
- It's chewed down to a size that is too small
- It has cracks, chipped/sharp edges, or pieces have been chewed off
- It's worn to the point that it could potentially break
- It is being eaten
- It's being played with in an unsafe way
We have heard one too many horror stories from friends and family to not take the safety of our Aussie's toys seriously. Many dogs become sick, require surgery, and even die because they swallowed something unsafe. Always be careful what you give your dog to play with.
