Does your canine buddy wake from a dead sleep when you open the fridge? Dogs certainly do love food! Fido somehow immediately becomes more adorable than ever when he wants you to fill his bowl or give him a snack. However, while your pet would probably eat pretty much anything and everything, there are some things to consider when feeding him. A vet lists some of them below.

Portion Sizes

Did you know that over half of our canine companions are overweight? There’s a lot of pudgy pups out there! Portion control is definitely a big part of this issue. Even overfeeding Fido by a small amount each day can cause him to gain weight. Follow your vet’s recommendations for serving sizes.

Treats

We can’t talk about feeding dogs without discussing snacks. Treats are actually beneficial in many ways: they make great training aids, help you and Fido bond, and generally just brighten your furry buddy’s day and get that cute tail going. However, it’s important to stick with suitable snacks, such as cooked meat, fish, or chicken, without the skin, bones, or fat. Also, keep treats to about 5 percent of your dog’s daily caloric intake.

Dishes

Did you know that many dogs are more comfortable eating from raised dishes than bowls on the floor? Fido has to strain his neck and back to eat off the ground. Consider giving his dinnerware a ‘pupgrade.’

Fido Eating Too Fast?

Dogs sometimes get a little too enthusiastic about their meals. Fido may wolf his food down, then turn around and throw it up. Try putting a tennis ball in your furry friend’s plate. He’ll have to slow down to get it out of the way, which may just do the trick. (Note: don’t do this for large breeds, as they can choke on tennis balls.)

Unsafe Foods

Fido would probably happily scarf down anything and anything within paws’ reach. That’s why it’s so important to make sure he doesn’t eat anything toxic. Some dangerous foods include garlic, onions, scallions, or chives; pitted fruit, especially avocado; grapes, currants, or raisins; nuts; mushrooms; meat on the bone; raw meat or dough; chocolate; or alcohol. Anything that contains xylitol is also unsafe, as are fried foods and anything high in fat, salt, or sugar. Please feel free to contact us, your Matthews, NC vet clinic, anytime. We’re here to help!