Nourish Your Pooch Naturally A Guide to Top Raw Dog Meals

Top Tips to Keep Your Dog Calm & Relaxed at Home

Written byVeterinary Dr Linda Simon

As strange and stressful as Coronavirus was for us and our families, it must have been that little bit more peculiar for our pooches who havent the foggiest why wewere around all day, cramping their style and limiting their time outside. For dogs who are already naturally nervous, the recent times might be that much harder for them to handle.

Thankfully, there are plenty of things that we can try to keep our dogs entertained and content while we all adjust.

Keep dogs busy & well-exercised

As is true for people, the busier a dog is, the less time they have to dwell on their worries and the fact that any routine has been changed. A dogs exercise requirements (and capabilities) will depend on their age and breed, so be sure not to push your dog too far. Working breeds such as Spaniels, Retrievers and Collies will be delighted with a few hours of exercise every day, while lap dogs such as Shih Tzus may simply raise their eyebrow and sit down if you suggest anything more than their usual half hour! Make the most of your walks by exploring new and different routes and allowing your dog to sniff along the way. While many owners find it frustrating to stop at every weed and tree for a good ole sniff, this is actually one of the most exciting part of the walk for dogs, so try not to deprive them.

Some breeds love to swim and will happily doggy paddle in the local lake or in a back garden paddling pool. Try not to let them consume too much of the water (avoid throwing them sticks and balls which can result in water ingestion) and be sure to dry them thoroughly after their swim. For those dogs with long and furry ears, its important to dry their ear canals with cotton wool to remove any moisture, otherwise, they will be prone to ear infections; not something we want to be dealing with during lockdown.

Get inventive and set up a mini agility course outside for your pooch using equipment from around the home and garden such as sticks, cardboard boxes, traffic cones and chairs. Encourage them to jump, crawl, climb and weave. Why not have all the family members take it in turn, to see who can achieve the fastest time?

A word of warning: For those longer-haired or snub-nosed breeds such as Pekingeses and Chow Chows, they are less capable of exercising in warm and humid weather and can be prone to developing heat stroke. In the summer, they should be brought out closer to dawn and dusk and kept in the shade. Always have fresh water nearby and stop exercising if they seem out of breath.

Give them mental stimulation

Just like physical stimulation, our cunning canines really benefit from some mental stimulation to keep them happy and engaged. Without this, they can quickly become bored and may even resort to destructive tendencies such as chewing furniture and digging holes in the grass.

A good place to start is with food puzzles. Start out simple and work your way up. A good first piece of kit is a lick mat which can be spread with peanut butter (one which does not contain xylitol which is toxic to dogs), cottage cheese, natural yoghurt or sweet potato mash. To make it last longer, you can freeze it.

The next level up would be a rubber Kong toy which can be filled with layers of food. For the first layer, use something easy to reach with a doggy tongue such as Pooch & Mutts mini bone treats. The next layer can be cooked pieces of chicken, turkey or white fish. On top, use something extra tasty to entice your dog in, such as some low-fat cream cheese. Experiment with different ingredients and, just like lick mats, Kongs can be frozen to last longer.

Scenting games are fun for any dog and are a great way to burn off some steam. Why not hide some kibble and doggy treats around the garden? Sprinkle some about on the ground (these are the easy finds to spark interest) and then also place some in trickier places such as on benches or beside plant pots. Let your dog watch you place the treats while on a lead and then set him free and watch that tail wag! Of course, before you get started, do double check your back garden is free from any toxins such as lawn feed, weed killer or slug bait.

Manage their weight & diet

Its all too easy to not notice a slow and subtle weight gain when we are around our dogs every day. Any reduction in exercise is going to mean a dog will put on weight unless we reduce their calorie intake. The best way to assess if our dog needs to lose weight is to assess their Body Condition Score and ensure they are within the normal range. The risk with allowing our dogs to get porky is that it can predispose them to medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer and can also negatively impact their mobility and worsen any pre-existing arthritis. Pooch & Mutt'sSlim & Slender is a vet recommended, premium, grain free, complete dry dog food for dogs that are overweight.This delicious kibble is made from lean free run chicken and is ideal if you are looking to manage your pooches lBS! Remember, if you are giving extra treats or chews to deduct the calorie allowance from their regular meals. As a rule of thumb, treats shouldnt make up any more than 10% of your furry friends diet.

Consider feeding Pooch & Mutts Calm & Relaxed food and treats

While not every dog will require a calming food, they can be very beneficial for those prone to anxiety. With natural ingredients such as chamomile, l-trytophan and valerian root they encourage that feel-good feeling and help provide a general sense of calm in these uncertain times.

Tips for going back to the office & leaving your dog at home

You are not alone! We are faced with a situation we have not been in before and a great deal of young dogs have not received much socialisation due to the pandemic. They are also used to us being around 24/7 and it will be a shock to the system when normal life resumes.

As much as you can, try to make the change gradual. This may mean spending some time alone (perhaps upstairs) without your dog. Similarly, go on some long walks without them if you can. Try not to make a big deal of these absences. We need them to understand that us leaving is normal and we will come back. When away, consider keeping them entertained with e.g. a Kong stuffed with Meaty Treats or a nice chew.

When you do go back to the office, work hard to keep your pups routine as close to it was before as you can. Give them time and, hopefully, they will have settled into your new routine within a few weeks.

Feeding Guidelines for your Dog

Knowing how to best feed your dog to ensure optimal health is not always straightforward. Owners generally find it hard to decide:

• How many times a day their dog should eat
• How much to feed per meal
• Whether to feed wet or dry diets
• Whether their dog needs a special diet or not

Read on to learn a little more about best feeding practices.

How often we should be offering food

Typically, the frequency of feeding will depend on the dogs age. As a rule of thumb, we feed young puppies very regularly; at least four times a day. This is because they have small stomachs and are less able to regulate their blood sugars. Once pups reach about three months of age, we should be able to increase the portion they are given and taper their feedings down to three times daily. It is at six-month-old that it is usually advised that dogs are offered two meals and these should be given in the morning and evening. Some owners are comfortable continuing this pattern lifelong, while others may choose to go on to feed their dogs once a day. For an in depth guide for feeding puppies read our Puppy Feeding Guide blog piece.

Many small lap dogs are picky eaters as adults and will only want to eat once a day. However, a larger dog who is active may well need a couple of meals a day to keep them fuelled. This is especially true for working dogs and those who get a lot of exercise. Listen to your dog; they will soon let you know if they are hungry!

How much to put in the bowl

Every Pooch & Mutt diet has a feeding guideline which can be found on the packaging as well as online. The guideline takes into consideration the nutrient profile and calorie content of the food, as well as the dogs weight and age.

If you find your dog is constantly leaving food behind, they are likely being overfed. More often than not, this is because they are receiving their calories elsewhere; in the form of treats and dental chews! Remember, no more than 10% of a dogs diet should be made up of treats so it may be time to cut down.

Of course, a guideline should not be solely relied upon as each dog as their own individual metabolism. As well as following a guideline, keep an eye on your dog to ensure they are a good Body Condition Score. You may find you need to alter the recommended amount they are fed over time in order to prevent them from becoming over or under weight.

For over-weight dogs:

Dogs who are over-weight should not be fed for their current weight. So, if your dog weighs 20kg but should weigh 18kg, we should provide the amount recommended for an 18kg dog. Using a kitchen scales to weigh out food has been proven to be a lot more accurate than eyeballing the amount or using a measuring cup.

TOP TIP: You will achieve best results by feeding a diet specifically designed to help portly pooches such as Pooch & Mutt Slim & Slender. With ingredients that promote satiety as well as fat breakdown, you are guaranteed results.

For under-weight dogs:

Again, dogs should be fed for their target rather than their current weight. While your dog may only weigh 10kg, if they should weigh closer to 12kg, this is the weight we should feed them for. For those who struggle to put on weight, feeding their meals little and often may prove easier for them to manage.

Choosing a wet or dry diet

You may opt to offer only wet dog food, only dry food or a mixture of the two.

Wet Foods:

• Are frequently preferred by dogs due to their texture and flavour profile
• Provide lots of moisture which can be beneficial for those with kidney or bladder issues
• May be easier for older animals and those with dental disease to eat

• Can cake to teeth, leading to gum inflammation and tartare build-up, especially in the absence of tooth brushing
• Can be messy, especially for those with long fur and beards such as Griffon Bruxellois and Schnauzers.
• Can have a stronger smell which some owners may dislike

Dry Foods:

• Are easy to weigh and measure out
• Can be stored for a long time and in large containers
• Are nutrient and calorie dense
• Can improve dental health and reduce tartare build-up, which is especially helpful for those prone to dental disease such as Chihuahuas and Greyhounds.

• Contain little moisture so may not be appropriate for dogs with kidney or bladder disease.
• Are not always as palatable as wet foods so may be declined by very fussy eaters

What about Prescription Diets?

Animals with chronic medical conditions such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease or Diabetes will generally benefit from specific veterinary-formulated diets which are prescribed by their vet. These diets should not be started without medical advice.

For dogs who do not require prescription diets for medical diseases, owners might wish to take a look at Pooch & Mutts functional dog foods. These are designed for those with minor health or behavioural issues and include calming and sensitive stomach dog food. The ingredients are specifically chosen to benefit these dogs and help combat their problem.