Pet's Kennel
At Hostel for dogs, we treat your pets like the valued family members they are...
Read More >>
The first step to measuring how much and what type of food keeps your dog full is to understand his body composition score, Remillard says. Not all dogs are built alike. A 50-pound Great Dane compares very differently to a 50-pound Cocker Spaniel. Odds are your vet has already noted your dog’s body composition score, and if they don’t, it’s simply an observation of weight to expected weight. A score of “one” is severely underweight, while “nine” represents a seriously obese dog. Sometimes vets will use a scale from one to five, rather than one to nine.
Remillard notes that all dogs eat differently and one dog might eat differently every day. But what’s important is that score. If he’s between 4-6, or around a 2.5 on a five-point scale, his weight is healthy. That means if your dog is maintaining his body condition score despite not eating everything in his bowl, he’s good, Remillard says. Similarly, if he’s maintaining and still appears to be begging for food, “He doesn’t need it and isn’t even hungry. He’s probably just looking for attention.”
our Dr's explains that dogs often eat simply because food is tasty and it’s an enjoyable activity for them. “We as pet owners need to retrain ourselves to not give in when [a dog is] asking for food.” Positive reinforcement and pet/owner bonding take many forms. “Play with him, take him outside for a walk, brush him,” Dr suggests. “Fifteen minutes of quality time will help get his mind off of food.”
Some brands of kibble look bigger than others because they’ve been “popped”—filled with air by using high heat during preparation. This type of food can make your dog feel full, but the feeling dissipates very quickly as your dog expels the air through burps, Remillard says. Foods with high water content are slightly more satisfying, but they’re also satiety placebos as this water simply forces the dog to urinate more. Finding a food that’s high in fiber is key to managing your dog’s appetite. Which leads to…
Fiber is the best nutrient for a dog’s satiety because it can’t be digested. It just stays with a dog throughout the entire digestive process.Fiber is the most crucial ingredient in commercial foods when it comes to gastrointestinal health and satiety.Indigestible fiber makes a dog feel full while adding no calories to his diet.
Looking for a quick, belly-filling fix for your dog? Reach for your refrigerator’s veggie drawer. several Dr's agree that cucumbers, green beans, carrots, celery, and broccoli are all good choices. Steaming or boiling them is an acceptable option, but Remillard adds that these methods begin to break down some of the fiber which makes these great options to start with. Your best bet for feeding veggies to your pup? Clean and raw. They’re as good as or better than any commercial dog treat.
