Nutrition
| Table 01 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comparison between human and canine health (EUA) | ||
| Situation | Humans | Dogs |
| Heart Diseases | 31,6% | 30,0% |
| Obesity | 35,0% | 34,0% |
| Diabetes | + | + |
| Liver Diseases | + | + |
| Kidney Diseases | + | + |
| Cancer | + | + |
The dogs belong to the class Mammalia and the order Carnivora, Canidae also the superfamily.
The domestication of dogs is dated 15 to 20 thousand years when these dogs began to eat food similar to their owners like scraps. Thus, increasing amounts of carbohydrates were included to their diet. Carbohydrates, however, are not essential in the diet of dogs, even after thousands of years of coexistence with humans. Their digestive enzyme system is entirely appropriate to digest raw meat and very poor in the digestion of starch even though accompanied by the introduction of carbohydrates and sugars in the human diet.
This type of food similar to humans has resulted health problems in dogs similar to those of humans. (Table 01)
Font: USDAHA (1997); Lewis & Morris (1983); Hamlin (1987); Markham & Hodgkins (1989); Sunvold (1998).
The domestication of dogs is dated 15 to 20 thousand years when these dogs began to eat food similar to their owners like scraps. Thus, increasing amounts of carbohydrates were included to their diet. Carbohydrates, however, are not essential in the diet of dogs, even after thousands of years of coexistence with humans. Their digestive enzyme system is entirely appropriate to digest raw meat and very poor in the digestion of starch even though accompanied by the introduction of carbohydrates and sugars in the human diet.
This type of food similar to humans has resulted health problems in dogs similar to those of humans. (Table 01)
Font: USDAHA (1997); Lewis & Morris (1983); Hamlin (1987); Markham & Hodgkins (1989); Sunvold (1998).
The diet protocol for the dogs determines the inclusion of a quantity of grain, rich in starch, so that the extrusion machines cause an appropriate expansion of the product.
In general, dogs do not have access to a wide range of food and for them are often given few choices, that is, only the food available in the trade that is rich in flavoring making them consume more than they really need.
The owner thinks that there is nothing negative in this, but problems of nutritional inadequacy will only be noticeable to long term. These problems usually can be observed through the poor appearance of the dogs, obesity, abnormal blood pressure, renal failure, cancer, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism and more.
High levels of fat in the diet recover the original food of dogs in nature. Besides having high digestibility, it leads the animal to a rapid state of satiety (reduce the consumption) and produces a very low glycemic response.
Diets with too much carbohydrate overload the pancreas that is required to produce high amounts of insulin to keep normal levels of plasma glucose (hyperinsulism). Fat is metabolically neutral and does not alter the level of glucose in the blood or induces the production of insulin. Proteins in diet have about 50% of their amino acids as glycogen (may result if necessary in the synthesis of glucose) and minimally induce the production of insulin.
A rich diet in 34% crude protein and 20% fat is the closest food to the original of dogs.
A rich diet in carbohydrates leads to an increase of daily consumption compared to a diet with high percentage of protein and fat. The increase of consumption has resulted in a greater volume of feces and more viscous, increasing the chance of gastric torsion, causing a situation of palatability and digestibility, which could increase the probability of obesity. In contrast, a diet of high percentage of protein and fat, reduces the consumption of food (about 33% of consumption per day - Chart 01), less probability to gastric torsion, reducing the volume of feces, stool consistency improved, high palatability (palatability = preference = consumption), 13% of reduction of caloric consumption a day (Table 03), besides being the closest food to the original of the dogs.
We can observe in Chart 01 and Table 02 high levels of protein and fat in food that supplies the daily needs of dogs with a lower amount of food consumed. The energy consumed is more skillfully exploited because the source is the fat and protein consumed does not exceed the limits required of the dog.
In general, dogs do not have access to a wide range of food and for them are often given few choices, that is, only the food available in the trade that is rich in flavoring making them consume more than they really need.
The owner thinks that there is nothing negative in this, but problems of nutritional inadequacy will only be noticeable to long term. These problems usually can be observed through the poor appearance of the dogs, obesity, abnormal blood pressure, renal failure, cancer, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism and more.
High levels of fat in the diet recover the original food of dogs in nature. Besides having high digestibility, it leads the animal to a rapid state of satiety (reduce the consumption) and produces a very low glycemic response.
Diets with too much carbohydrate overload the pancreas that is required to produce high amounts of insulin to keep normal levels of plasma glucose (hyperinsulism). Fat is metabolically neutral and does not alter the level of glucose in the blood or induces the production of insulin. Proteins in diet have about 50% of their amino acids as glycogen (may result if necessary in the synthesis of glucose) and minimally induce the production of insulin.
A rich diet in 34% crude protein and 20% fat is the closest food to the original of dogs.
A rich diet in carbohydrates leads to an increase of daily consumption compared to a diet with high percentage of protein and fat. The increase of consumption has resulted in a greater volume of feces and more viscous, increasing the chance of gastric torsion, causing a situation of palatability and digestibility, which could increase the probability of obesity. In contrast, a diet of high percentage of protein and fat, reduces the consumption of food (about 33% of consumption per day - Chart 01), less probability to gastric torsion, reducing the volume of feces, stool consistency improved, high palatability (palatability = preference = consumption), 13% of reduction of caloric consumption a day (Table 03), besides being the closest food to the original of the dogs.
We can observe in Chart 01 and Table 02 high levels of protein and fat in food that supplies the daily needs of dogs with a lower amount of food consumed. The energy consumed is more skillfully exploited because the source is the fat and protein consumed does not exceed the limits required of the dog.
| Daily frequency of meals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Months | 1 a 3 | 4 a 7 | 8 a 18 | 18 and beyond |
| Meals | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Ps: Females in the second month of pregnancy and during breast-feeding should always have food available. | ||||
Samoyed and its Food
We should give a high level of protein in the first year and a half of Samoyed life when it is forming (High Premium or Premium). Get used to puppy eating its meal in the same place, bowl and at the same time. If the Samoyed lives inside the house try to feed it before because with full stomach it will beg less and as a consequence it will become easier to resist its look.
In hot days, a Samoyed can be two or three days without food. It is normal. The owner should not desperate or worry and force it to eat using some types of feeding techniques, such as: add meat to the diet, replace the food or give it a piece of meat. However, if the refusal of food in your Samoyed is not a just cause, call the vet! But if the Sammy seems still smart, very willing to play, do not worry. The willingness to play and run is the thermometer of the health of your Sammy! Do not let your Samoyed gain too much weight! Maintaining its ideal weight it will have a healthier and longer life!
We should give a high level of protein in the first year and a half of Samoyed life when it is forming (High Premium or Premium). Get used to puppy eating its meal in the same place, bowl and at the same time. If the Samoyed lives inside the house try to feed it before because with full stomach it will beg less and as a consequence it will become easier to resist its look.
In hot days, a Samoyed can be two or three days without food. It is normal. The owner should not desperate or worry and force it to eat using some types of feeding techniques, such as: add meat to the diet, replace the food or give it a piece of meat. However, if the refusal of food in your Samoyed is not a just cause, call the vet! But if the Sammy seems still smart, very willing to play, do not worry. The willingness to play and run is the thermometer of the health of your Sammy! Do not let your Samoyed gain too much weight! Maintaining its ideal weight it will have a healthier and longer life!
| Meat | Due to the risks of contamination, it should be only given cooked. | Bones Despite being one of the favorite foods, they are not advisable because they could cause intestinal perforation! |
|---|---|---|
| Fish | The Samoyed loves fish. Give only cooked. Special attention to the thorns! | |
| Milk | It is the main dog food, but in the adult Samoyed should not be given due to the lack of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down the lactose. | |
| Stale Bread | Excellent source of energy. Watch its weight! | |
| Vegetables and Fruits |
Give it as much as you want! But do not use them as the only source of food! |
Complications of an obese dog:
- Decreasing of the immune and organic resistance, increasing the predisposition to disease;
- Cardio-respiratory failure;
- Pathologies of the reproductive system;
- Predisposition to diabetes;
- Increased risk of anesthesia and surgery.
TIP!!! The use of the powder of yeast as vitamin supplementation has a low cost and has presented excellent results as much in dog´s health as the brightness of its fur.
Food care:
You should be properly informed how to follow the entire procedure about food and frequency of meals. You can change only gradually the ration to one of your own. Remember that sudden changes in supply can cause serious disturbances in the digestive system.
The mastication in dog is very inefficient and the swallowing is fast. The digested food, especially solids, are found in its stomach for about (03 to 12 hours) and turn into a paste before reaching the intestine where it takes place assimilation of nutrients which are transported through the blood to the various tissues to be nourished.
Because of its anatomical characteristics, the dog's digestive system allows it to be abundant food ingested in a long time between meals. It happens because its stomach empties slowly.
Torsion of Stomach - Basically the stomach twists on itself forming a sort of knot. It is a true "emergency"! If the dog does not receive treatment can die in 6 to 12 hours. The twist may partially or totally block the drainage of the stomach causing the production of gases and increasing the volume of the stomach. The result is necrosis caused by strangulation of the stomach wall and nearby organs. Surgery is done to empty the stomach and its suture is done to avoid that happens again.
The normal stomach usually contains gas, mucus and food that is being digested. Under goes a normal rhythm of contraction, receiving food from the esophagus, submitting the same to a digestion process that culminates with the excretion of waste.
Prevention:
- Do not feed them in large quantities. Serve small quantities of meals several times a day.
- Avoid diets with low fiber.
- Avoid diets with high rate of fermentation (rich in carbohydrate: e.g. starch).
- Do not let the animal drink large quantities of water at once, including during meals.
- Avoid violent exercise after meals (such as jumping and running).
Warning Signals
- Abdominal distension with bloat (gas);
- Longing for non-productive vomiting; ;
- Weak pulse;
- Intense salivation;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Mucous membranes pale;
- Increased heart rate;
- Anxiety;;
- In case of suspicion inform your vet!
- Decreasing of the immune and organic resistance, increasing the predisposition to disease;
- Cardio-respiratory failure;
- Pathologies of the reproductive system;
- Predisposition to diabetes;
- Increased risk of anesthesia and surgery.
TIP!!! The use of the powder of yeast as vitamin supplementation has a low cost and has presented excellent results as much in dog´s health as the brightness of its fur.
Food care:
You should be properly informed how to follow the entire procedure about food and frequency of meals. You can change only gradually the ration to one of your own. Remember that sudden changes in supply can cause serious disturbances in the digestive system.
The mastication in dog is very inefficient and the swallowing is fast. The digested food, especially solids, are found in its stomach for about (03 to 12 hours) and turn into a paste before reaching the intestine where it takes place assimilation of nutrients which are transported through the blood to the various tissues to be nourished.
Because of its anatomical characteristics, the dog's digestive system allows it to be abundant food ingested in a long time between meals. It happens because its stomach empties slowly.
Torsion of Stomach - Basically the stomach twists on itself forming a sort of knot. It is a true "emergency"! If the dog does not receive treatment can die in 6 to 12 hours. The twist may partially or totally block the drainage of the stomach causing the production of gases and increasing the volume of the stomach. The result is necrosis caused by strangulation of the stomach wall and nearby organs. Surgery is done to empty the stomach and its suture is done to avoid that happens again.
The normal stomach usually contains gas, mucus and food that is being digested. Under goes a normal rhythm of contraction, receiving food from the esophagus, submitting the same to a digestion process that culminates with the excretion of waste.
Prevention:
- Do not feed them in large quantities. Serve small quantities of meals several times a day.
- Avoid diets with low fiber.
- Avoid diets with high rate of fermentation (rich in carbohydrate: e.g. starch).
- Do not let the animal drink large quantities of water at once, including during meals.
- Avoid violent exercise after meals (such as jumping and running).
Warning Signals
- Abdominal distension with bloat (gas);
- Longing for non-productive vomiting; ;
- Weak pulse;
- Intense salivation;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Mucous membranes pale;
- Increased heart rate;
- Anxiety;;
- In case of suspicion inform your vet!