Healthy Hound Series Part II

The Basics of Selecting a Food Plan for Fido! Part II

Written by Reggie and Gemma's Adoptive Mom


3. Beware the “Healthy Halo”: When you see a dog food label that says “Low Fat,” it may not necessarily be what it's promising. In order to be truly “low-fat” a dog food will have 310 calories per 3.5 oz of dry food or 90 calories per 3.5 oz of canned food. The same sort of rules apply with “low-carb” and “high protein.” If these labels are promising you a healthy pet food without following the basic rules highlighted above, they fall under the “healthy halo” effect which is designed to trick consumers into buying higher priced food that doesn't deliver.

4. Keep treats to a minimum and don't forget the rules!: Don't give treats for “just because.” Make them a reward for what your dog does to be a “good boy.” Superfluous treats lead to a lax philosophy on how they may be affecting your dog's weight. Remember to follow the rules about meals, proteins and the “healthy halo” even when you're selecting your dog treats.

Always consult your veterinarian first to be aware of your specific dog's health needs and a target healthy weight. Feed your dog according to their weight specifications and be aware that the portions dictated on the bag are sometimes too much for your little Cairn. It's best to consult with a nutrition guide for your breed and to have a talk with your vet about target weight for your specific pet. Our dogs' veterinarian, Dr. Scott Miner, recommends no more than ½ cup of dry food in the morning and ½ cup at night for our Cairn terriers in good health.

Col. Potter has several volunteers who are helpful to it's members and fosters in the areas of weight reduction, management and nutrition.

Finally, a good rule-of-thumb is to shop at discount pet stores instead of the grocery store. Employees of pet specialty stores will be much more knowledgeable about their products and they'll be able to help you select the foods and treats that will be best for your dog.

Next in the series: People Foods aren't always just for People.

Have a Healthy Hound! New Series for keeping your dog in great shape!

Written by Reggie & Gemma's Adoptive Mom



Hi all! I am super excited to start this series about keeping a healthy pet. I think it is all too common to see pet obesity and I am a passionate nutrition lover. This is why I've come up with the Healthy Hound Series – a guide to help you better serve as a health ambassador for your dog. It's meant to be a basic guide that will give you lots of knowledge while being easy to follow.

The Basics of Selecting a Food Plan for Fido! Part I

The cornerstone for a healthy Cairn terrier is a healthy and appropriate diet. To start looking at the over-all strategy for a food plan begins with you and some knowledge of what goes into the food you feed your dog. Here are some basic guidelines to help you become a food advocate for your dog:

1. The Cheaper the Food, The Cheaper the Ingredients: Many of the bargain-brand foods from your grocery store are full of ingredients that will make your dog pudgy. These include things like “meat and bone meal” which are basic filler products devoid of lean protein and nutrients. You'll also find things like “corn meal” which is a natural protein source, but is often overused in dry dog food. If your food lists any sort of grain or meal as one of the first 3 ingredients, it can signify a lack of nutrients and an overload of empty carbs. It is worth the extra pennies to get a nutritious dog food- in the long run it can help you save on vet bills due to weight-related problems.

2. Lean Proteins are your friend: Look for products that are “grain free” or that have proteins like fish, poultry or meats listed as primary ingredients. Carbohydrates can always be supplemented with healthy alternatives and grain free foods still have a healthy amount of carbohydrates from natural sources in them. In the wild, dogs survive off of lots of lean protein so the closest you can get them to their natural diet, the better. In fact many dogs have developed grain-related allergies because their diet isn't varied with protein-rich foods.