Dogs have a particular facial expression that humans can’t resist. Those puppy dog eyes show such innocence and naivety that you would instantly give in. When your dog makes this look accompanied by whimpering, as you enter the kitchen or take a bite of a sandwich, it makes you reach for a treat to give them.
You know that your dogs are manipulating you, but one can’t help but wonder if this expression is a reliable indication of a dog’s hunger. To help identify a starving dog, here are some signs and suggestions.
Feeding Schedule
A dog that is regularly given a bowl of food once a day may not be considered a hungry dog. Provided of course that the food given to them has the calorie they require. An adult dog can survive without food for two to three days with healthy dogs, even surviving for five days. So if you missed a day of feeding, your pooch might not be starving.
However, it is essential to know the required calorie intake of your dog. The basic guidelines state that you should feed puppies three times a day while adult dogs of small to large breed should be fed twice. Once a day will be sufficient for large and giant dogs, and senior dogs should be given one or two small meals daily.
It is also best to stick to a regular feeding schedule. It is easy to overfeed or underfeed your dog when feeding times are shifting. With an established schedule, when you missed a feeding time, chances are your hound is truly hungry.
Type of Food
The calorie intake of a dog depends on several factors such as age, breed, health condition, and activity level, among others. You can identify if your dog is hungry by calculating if your dog is getting his required calories. If you want to be certain that your dog gets the right nutrition, you can ask experts or your vet.
If you are using pre-packaged dog food, the label usually indicates the amount of food to give. You can also research various dog foods to identify if it is suitable for your pet. A Hungry bark review proclaims that a custom nutrition plan for dogs is the best way to ensure they are eating the right foods in accordance to their nutritional needs. This also considers even their health issues. But, of course, if you want to be sure, it’s best to consult a vet.
Physical Appearance
One easy way to identify a famished dog is if you see a well-defined rib cage. You can feel the rib cage of a dog, but the definition of each rib should not be visible. An excellent rule to follow is that if you see ribs, then your dog is hungry, and if you don’t feel the ribs, then you might be overfeeding him.
Activity Level and Weather
Your dog’s activity level is a good indication of hunger. If your dog is sedentary, the amount of food to be given should be the average amount. However, on days that you have your canine friend doing rigorous activities such as having a run, additional treats should be provided.
The type of weather also affects the activity level of dogs and should be considered when feeding. Do not be afraid to adjust your dog’s feeding ration depending on his movement. For instance, hot summer days may prompt dogs to stay in cool spaces to rest where they do not use much energy. Thus, smaller meals may be the best response.
Quality of the Dog Food
Cheap commercial dog food has fillers that can make dogs feel satisfied after a meal. However, this satisfaction does not last long, and you will soon observe them looking for another treat. These fillers add calories to the dog food, but have little nutrition and are digested quickly. Often, the craving you see in your dog can be brought upon by low-quality food.
A hungry dog may not be easy to ignore. But if you feed your dog quality food with the correct ratio and on a regular schedule, you can be sure that your dog is well-fed. To further identify if your dog needs food, you can look at the dog’s physical appearance and activity levels. The weather also has a significant impact on determining the amount of food your dog requires. If you have provided the tips mentioned above, but your dog seems to be hungry, it might be time to tackle its begging. This behavior will require time to be corrected and the commitment of everyone in the household.