WALLY ASHCROFT'S Wonder of Pets

MANY people experience trouble when they are feeding their dogs. Confronted by a pet which apparently refuses to eat, they are completely at a loss as how to solve the problem.

The 'Macho Man' will leave the food down, insisting that his dog will eat when it is hungry. Many others, a little softer by nature, will offer alternatives to encourage eating. Both, in my opinion, are wrong.

Wild dogs live and hunt in packs. They are mainly carnivorous by nature and, when they catch their prey, they eat the whole carcass, including the fur, flesh and the bones. The competition for a share of the spoils is so intense that nature has equipped them with an extremely rugged digestive system and good strong teeth and jaws.

Dogs have not evolved to live in comfortable, centrally heated homes, with doting owners offering them two or three meals of soft, warm food a day. Most problems associated with feeding fall squarely at the feet of the owner. If a dog is allowed to choose his own diet, then problems will occur. Many owners pander to their dogs.

This is natural because people who want to care for animals are, in the main kind people, but kindness can be misguided and, in this instance, may not be in the best interests of the dog.

Dogs are pack-orientated and the owner must assume the role of pack leader. The dog is happy with this situation and understands it. Feeding time is an excellent opportunity to reinforce yourself in this position.

The digestive systems of dogs does not vary from breed to breed. The poshest poodle is no different to the scruffiest mongrel, in this respect. All dogs require a balanced diet.

They must all have protein, carbohydrate, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. As a rough and simple guide dogs should be fed equal quantities of meat and biscuits. This will vary slightly according to the activity rate of your dog and its age. Working dogs and very active breeds could possible be given a little more biscuit.

Dogs which are slower moving or don't receive much exercise should be given a little less biscuit, otherwise they will put on too much weight. Many dogs are simply given too much food and become overweight which puts a strain on the heart and the liver. Correctly fed dogs should be sleek and it should be possible to feel the outlines of the muscles. Giving a dog food, endears him to his owner and the easiest way is the least complicated. There are many types of ready prepared dog foods available, which are both nutritious and simple to feed. Competition between pet food manufacturers ensures that all the vitamins and minerals a dog requires are included, in the correct proportions, and that the palatability of the food is a high priority.

Feeding a ration of your own is much more difficult and it is nigh on impossible to guarantee to get the balance right. It is usually when you start to offer bits from the table or choice cuts from the butchers that problems can arise. Your dog may well become a fussy feeder and lead you a merry dance.

Owners with one dog can often experience problems with feeding, whereas two dogs or a dog and a cat, because of their natural rivalry, rarely present problems. If your apparently healthy dog refuses to eat you must not, under any circumstances, try to tempt him with other food.

It is a nonsense to think that the dogs knows best what is good for him. Dogs love rice puddings, cake, sweet biscuits, sweets and bars of chocolate. These contain high quantities of sugar and too much can cause harm and discomfort to your dog. Many owners tell me that their particular dog will not drink water and will only drink tea with sugar and milk in. Pandering to a dog like this will only build a rod for your back and is not doing the dog any favours.

If your dog refuses to eat the food offered don't worry. Simply take the food away and then after washing his bowl, put it back in the same position. The empty bowl will reinforce in his mind that there is nothing else. Never leave the food in the bowl or take the dish away. Try again at the next feeding time, if he still refuses to eat then simply repeat the process. It will do no harm to let your dog go for a day or two without food and that includes any titbits you might be tempted to give. Unlike humans, dogs do not get involved in 'causes' and so will not go on hunger strike.

Mature dogs need one or two feeds a day. Feeding twice a day helps to build up a good relationship between dog and owner, but make sure the larger meal is given in the evening.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.