OkcPets Magazine May 2022

May/June 2022 • OKC Pets 29 If you have ever put food in a bowl and the dog didn’t finish it, that’s your first sign that you are overfeeding. If your adult dog receives less than one hour of exercise per day, start with one measuring cup per 25 pounds of weight. For instance, my 11-year-old dog weighs 50 pounds and gets two measuring cups of dry kibble per day. He finishes it right away and never leaves any in the bowl. Use treats sparingly. If you want to count the calories for food and treats each day, that would be awesome. If you are giving large bones, chews, or any other product that is high in calories, be careful that your dog isn’t filling up on them and then not finishing his regular food because he is too full. Treats are called treats for a reason! Get on a schedule. Once you figure out the exact amount that your dog should be given each day, getting on a schedule will help you and the dog in more ways than one. First, the dog’s potty routine will be relatively normal. Second, it helps people in your household to know if and when the dog has been fed. Third, it’s easy to recognize whether your dog hasn’t finished a meal. When should you pick up the bowl if the dog hasn’t finished eating? As soon as your dog walks away from the bowl, meal- time is over. Put the food back in the bag and be sure you don’t add leftover food to the next meal. It’s not Thanksgiving. I recommend three meals per day for puppies younger than six months and one to two meals per day for dogs older than that. This is a personal choice based on lifestyle, the dog’s age, and the breed. It’s also a good idea to consult with your veterinarian if you are unsure. What You Should Not Do These are things you should not do when feeding canines. Don’t “free feed.” Free feeding is filling the bowl for the day and allowing the dogs to graze. Many dogs don’t have the ability to self-regulate and if they do, this can cause resource-guarding issues down the road. I’ve heard all the excuses in the book: “I did it with my last dog, he was fine.” “It’s just easier this way. My dog eats when he wants, it’s not a problem.” Here is what I say to those dog parents: No more excuses. Stop being lazy! Don’t give treats in addition to the meal. Simply measure the treats with the daily food. So if you are feeding one cup of dry kibble, make sure you are measuring the treats with the food to equal a total of one cup. That is not going to be exact, but it can prevent everyone in the house from giving your dog too many treats. At the beginning of the day, put the daily food portion and treats in a container. Then feed from that container throughout the day. When it’s gone, that’s it! Don’t use food as a replacement for love and affection. Many of my clients find themselves giving extra food, treats, and chewing bones to their dogs because they love them so much. Do not fall into that trap. It’s a bad habit, and the truth is, your dog is really asking for attention. Go for a walk or run with your dog, do training sessions, or enroll in an agility class. A tired dog doesn’t beg for food. Don’t feel guilty. Change is hard — it always will be. So as you make changes to increase your dog’s lifespan, remind your- self that you are doing it because you love your dog and want to spend more quality time with him.