THE DOG AND HIS DINNER

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 May 1933, Page 4

THE DOG AND HIS DINNER

COMMON-SENSE IN FEEDING. It is a well-known saying that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” No bettei* illustration of the unfortunate truth of this saying exists than the way in which so many people treat their dogs in the matter of overfeeding (states a contributor to the London “Daily Telegraph.”) In the first place, it* should be understood that the digestive mechanism of a dog is the direct opposite to that of his master. The dog is. a carnivorous animal, which means that his digestive organs are small and designed fpr the reception of concentrated foodstuffs, such as meat; whereas

man is an omnivorous animal, the digestive organs being larger and arranged to cope with a variety of foodstuffs.

It is true that civilisation has made a dog to all intents and purposes, omnivorous, but the fact remains that too broad an interpretation of his powers in that direction can only result in a heap of trouble, both for the dog and his master. The dog must, of course, have his share, that is only right. There is, however, a right and a wrong way of satisfying his requirements and at the same time tempering pleasure with common-sense.

The first rule in the feeding of a dog is two meals a day and two meals only. On no account must intermittent feeding be indulged in. ■ Pieces of cake and sweetmeats are all very well, and most dogs enjoy them, , but a dog’s ' stomach is not equipped for their despatch. Make it a rule, therefore, that there shall be no “titbit I feeding.” If -the dog’s dinner is arranged as follows he will be the better for it and suffer no ill effects. Cut off a slice or two of meat, chop it into small pieces, and mix it with gravy and vegetables. To the mash so formed add sufficient hound or terrier meal in order to- bring it to a crumbly moist consistency. A- sloppy diet is bad at any time. The only other necessity is a bowl pf clean, fresh drinking-water. This procedure is sound for the dog’s main feed for each of the 365 days in a year. Meat need not. always constitute a part of the ration. Providing that hound or terrier meal, in which is included a percentage of meat, is used in making up the mash, a variety of dishes will suggest themselves.

The second feed of the day should be dog biscuit, fed in its dry state. Its hardness enables a dog to exercise his jaws and at the same time cleans his teeth. An ordinary dog biscuit, moreover, is to a dog what bread and meat is to man, and provides him with a concentrated nourishment in its most easily digested form. Thought given to a dog’s food is one of the most important ways in which his health and physical fitness can be maintained. It is the simple things of life which usually make for health and happiness—and a dog’s needs are very simple indeed, and for that reason too often disregarded. Daily exercise is one of them. If you have not time to give your dog a run, then don’t have a dog. If yon cannot give him reasonable freedom, if it means chaining him to a kennel for the best part of his existence, again, don’t have. a dog. If you are too lazy to give him a daily grooming with stiff brush and steel comb and an occasional ba th, better by far forgo the privilege of a dog’s companionship. He does not look for, neither does he want, a feather- bed; but he is entitled to a. clean, dry box or kennel in which to lie down and rest.