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Your pooch’s diet defines its overall health and well-being. What it eats contributes to the amount of energy it has throughout the day. As a caregiver, it becomes your responsibility to provide the correct amount of nutrition and nourishment to your fur baby. Understanding the various components of your pet’s diet helps in providing them with the right nourishment.
Although everyone knows dogs need protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals; did you know your canine friend also requires fibre in their diet? Even though fibre is not completely digestible it is an essential part of your pooch’s diet. High-fibre dog food aids in better digestion and bowel movement. Soluble fibre for dogs helps them in absorbing water. This type of fibre then gets fermented in their intestines to release fatty acids for better gut health. Other than soluble fibre, dogs also require insoluble fibre for better water absorption and digestion.
Fibre in dog food helps the dogs digest their food better. Proper digestion equates to better bowel movement and good gut and gastrointestinal health. Your canine friend’s food should contain at least 2-4% fibre to assist their gut health’s growth and development. Besides, fibre for dogs acts as an absorbing substance that collects excess water and acids. Given below are a few other benefits of fibre for dogs.
Apart from absorbing extra water and acid, the insoluble fibre also helps in cleaning your pet’s gut tract. This makes their bowel movement better. Consuming the right amount of fibre also helps maintain your dog’s anal gland issues. Smaller breeds of dogs are more likely to suffer from these issues. The fibre in dog food makes it easier for stool to pass smoothly without any added effort. Hence, reducing the chances of your pet developing gastrointestinal and anal gland illnesses.
Many breeds of dogs are meant for outdoor life; the lack of proper activity may lead to obesity in such breeds. Pet caregivers often worry about their fur baby being overweight because of the countless hours spent indoors with little to no activity. In such cases, high-fibre dog food is suggested alongside regular walks and playtime to manage the pooch’s weight. The fibre allows your fur baby to digest more food and aid in controlling its calorie intake.
Some types of fibre are slow to digest. This helps in maintaining blood sugar levels in dogs. Slow digestion of fibre stops sudden rise in blood sugar levels. Dogs that consume high-fibre dog food often have lower blood-sugar fluctuations and hence have lesser chances of suffering from diabetes.
At IAMS™, we understand the importance of fibre in a dog’s diet. Hence, our range of dog food not only has proteins, vitamins, and minerals but also fibre. With beet pulp being a consistent ingredient in our dog foods, we make sure that your pooch has a hale and hearty gut. This fibre-rich ingredient provides bulk to move waste. Moreover, it ensures that your dog absorbs all the nutrients present in its meal.
On average dogs need only 2-4% fibre in their daily diet. Anything beyond this measure can be considered excessive fibre consumption for dogs. While fibre is needed for better gut and gastrointestinal health, too much fibre for dogs can be a topic of concern. Given below are a few issues that may occur because of excessive fibre consumption.
Fibre is not completely digestible. Hence, even though limited consumption of fibre helps in eliminating gut-related problems, too much fibre can lead to gastrointestinal problems and increase gas and acidity issues.
While soluble fibre manages water content in the body, insoluble fibre can lead to digestive issues when consumed in excess. Frequent urge to pass stool and diarrhea are some known side effects of consuming too much fibre.
Even if is fibre bad for dogs is a common query, the conclusion is fibre is needed for better digestion and gut health of your pooch. However, excess fibre consumption can lead to certain stomach and gut-related issues, while eating little to no fibre is also not a good choice. Avoiding fibre altogether can lead to the anal gland diseases and gut illness. Hence, as a pet parent, you must ensure your canine friend is provided with the right amount of fibre in their daily diet. Besides fibre dogs also need adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat in their diet for consistent growth and development.
Yes, dogs need some amount of fibre in their diet to digest their food and absorb excess water.
On average dogs need to consume at least 2-4% fibre per meal. While their daily fibre consumption should not be anything more than 10%.
As fibre is not completely digestible, consuming too much fibre can lead to diarrhea and gas issues in dogs.
Yes, fibre consumption can increase your pet’s urge to poop or make them poop more as fibre helps in removing excess water, acid, and other undigested components from your pet’s body.
We all want the best for our pets, and maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for their overall health and wellbeing. This means keeping your dog’s teeth clean regularly and taking it for annual dental check-ups as well. Without proper oral care, your dog can develop dental diseases like plaque buildups, gingivitis, and tartar, which can have serious consequences, leading to tooth loss and other infections in your dog’s body.
Taking proper care of your dog’s teeth and feeding nutritious food will reduce the risk of developing oral illnesses in the future. Besides, brushing your dog's teeth can be a great bonding experience for you, and your dog may slowly come to love the activity.
As a dog parent, you would want your dog’s mouth to be fresh and healthy. Here are 5 reasons why your dog’s dental care is important for its overall health.
Dental pain can be extremely unpleasant for dogs, especially when it is severe. This can be avoided by keeping your dog's gums and teeth healthy.
When the bones that support your dog’s teeth get infected or damaged, they may weaken and fall out. Providing good dog oral care will ensure that your dog’s teeth remain healthy.
Bacteria residing in the plaque can enter your dog’s bloodstream and travel to the kidneys, heart, and liver. This spread of germs can harm its organs and make your dog sick. It is here that good oral hygiene will prevent bacteria and associated organ damage in your dog.
If the smell of your dog’s breath makes you gag, then know that your dog needs a dental cleaning session. But when your dog has healthy teeth and mouth, bad breath will not be an issue.
Since many dogs develop dental diseases by the age of three, preventing it might be tough. But good dog dental care can prevent oral diseases from escalating to the point where it causes problems throughout its body.
Dogs need regular oral care just like you do; gum disease and broken teeth are the major concerns. Fortunately, pets seldom suffer from tooth decay. Their cone-shaped teeth, non-acidic saliva, and low-sugar diets all help protect them from this nasty ailment. Regular brushing and professional teeth cleaning can keep your dog’s teeth clean, healthy, and gleaming. Giving your pet appropriate toys to chew is known to prevent fractures.
(Note: If you give your pets sweets for snacks, they can get cavities.)
It should just be you and your dog, with no other children or pets in the house.
Dog toothbrushes can be easily found in pet stores or on the internet. But remember to use only dog-specific toothpaste while brushing your dog’s teeth.
Make sure you are in a well-lit area so you can see what you're doing when brushing your dog's teeth and that your dog is comfortable.
Begin by displaying the toothpaste to your dog and allowing them to lick it off your finger.
Hold its upper lip up and brush the top front teeth.
Brush the bottom teeth while holding the bottom lip down. Begin with the front teeth, and then work your way to the side and back.
If your dog is sitting still while you’re brushing its teeth, you can brush both the interior and outside of its teeth at the same time. Brushing the insides of the teeth is a little more difficult, so add this step after your dog is calm and after the outsides of its upper and lower teeth have been brushed.
Brushing your dog’s teeth may be an odd experience. Thus, praise your dog constantly to make this a happy experience. Although it may seem unusual to offer treats when you’re brushing your dog’s teeth. But the primary goal should be to teach the skill, and then you may focus on removing food from the equation later.
When your puppy first begins to get permanent teeth, check if the baby tooth has come out for the new tooth grow. Retained teeth can cause the permanent teeth to be crooked. Toy dog breeds, with their tiny jaws, are more prone to such dental problems.
While hard foods and chew toys can help keep teeth clean, you need to get your pet used to a regular tooth-brushing routine. As soon as you bring your new pet home, get it accustomed to having its mouth handled. It is also good training—it teaches the dog to tolerate having things in his mouth without biting or snapping.
What your dog eats affects its 'smile.' Dry foods and treats help clean plaque from its teeth. Rawhide chews are also good cleaning tools, as are some of the knobby plastic toys on the market. None of these are hard enough to cause tooth damage, however, monitor your dog to be sure that it doesn’t swallow small pieces of these toys. Real bones can also be dangerous for your pet and should not be used for tooth-cleaning purposes.
All dry adult IAMS™ Dog Foods, include Daily Dental Care, a special kibble coating that helps reduce tartar buildup for better oral health. So, along with providing balanced nutrition, our range of dry dog food focuses on dental hygiene as well.
It just takes a little time and patience. Begin by running your finger gently over his gums. At first, just rub the outside, but as he adjusts to the routine, begin to open his mouth and rub the gums inside the teeth as well.
As your dog gets accustomed to this, wrap your finger with gauze and rub his gums. Eventually, add a pet toothpaste; do not use human toothpaste. After a few weeks, your dog should be willing to accept a toothbrush for pets, which should have soft, multi-tufted synthetic bristles.
Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and apply it to the area where teeth and gums meet. Rotate it in small circles, overlapping several teeth. Finish with vertical strokes to pull plaque from between the teeth. Repeat until all the teeth on the cheek side are clean. The inside teeth will be more difficult, as your dog may resist opening its mouth, but eventually you will be able to brush the inside and outside surfaces of all the teeth. For effective cleaning, brush your dog's teeth a couple of times a week.
If you want to keep your dog's teeth clean but are worried about the cleaning process, then you are not alone. You need to pick a toothpaste advised by your vet as they are usually clinically tested and approved. But most importantly, refrain from using human toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth. It’s because human toothpaste contains fluoride, which is highly toxic to dogs.
Dental wipes for dogs are designed to be wiped against your dog's teeth to eliminate plaque. They work in a similar way to toothbrushes and are an excellent way to keep your pet's teeth clean. They're generally more convenient to use than a toothbrush and toothpaste.
Brushing your dog's teeth may seem goofy, but it's a great method to keep plaque from forming. Unlike humans, dogs do not require daily brushing. Your dog might not enjoy having its teeth brushed at first but making it a habit will help. Brushing should be done using a dog toothbrush or a fingertip toothbrush. You'll also require dog toothpaste. Consult your vet for advice, and then decide what you and your dog prefer.
Dog chews come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and most of them contain teeth-cleaning characteristics. Chewing is a natural way for your dog to clean its teeth and is beneficial to its dental health. Frequent chewing prevents your dog’s teeth from decaying and helps clean its teeth. Cow ears, chicken strips, and bully sticks are excellent chews for keeping your dog healthy and happy.
Dogs adore treats, and dental treats are an excellent way to improve your dog's oral care and hygiene. These treats are designed to eliminate plaque buildup and typically include chemicals that help you get rid of your dog's breath and clean its mouth. They are considerably more liked by dogs than a toothbrush or tooth wipes, and they keep dogs' mouths clean. These treats are available in a wide range of tastes, forms, and sizes, so you are sure to find something your dog will enjoy.
Cleaning your dog's teeth with the help of a veterinarian is probably the smartest way to ensure its dental health. Your veterinarian will be able to determine what is best for your dog's teeth by addressing any problems that even the most devoted dog owner might overlook.
If your dog won't cooperate with home brushing or if you already see brown tartar stains on its teeth or red and bleeding gums, it's time to turn to your veterinarian for help. The doctor will give your dog general anesthesia and clean the teeth above and below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar. After the cleaning is done, they will be polished to remove microscopic plaque and to make the teeth smooth to discourage plaque from clinging.
Remember, dental care is as important to your pet's health as it is to your own—you owe it to your dog to provide regular tooth care and cleaning.
