How to Know if Your Dog is Hungry
One thing that comes with having a pet is begging. Without fail, whenever you are eating they are sitting by your side begging for a bite. However, how do you know if your dog is truly hungry or just trying to get a treat?
Although it seems like your dog is hungry, if you’re regularly feeding them they aren’t starving. Like humans, dogs just wanna eat even if we’re not hungry. But, don’t always give them the table scraps, this is where portion control comes in handy.
How Much to Feed Them
Experts say to feed your dogs twice a day, about 8-12 hours apart. The amount of food they need depends on their: size, age, activity level, breed, and general health.
Your vet can calculate the number of calories your dog needs every day. Divide that in half, check the calories in their food and measure proper portions for breakfast and dinner. Treats should make us less than 10% of your dog’s diet.
Overfeeding Your Dog
Overfeeding can lead to weight and health issues. About half of all dogs are overweight or obese. Dogs that carry extra weight can get the same health problems as overweight people such as heart disease or diabetes. The extra weight may strain your dog’s joints and lead to arthritis.
Stopping Begging
There are a few things to try to keep your dog from begging:
- Feed Your Dog Before Yourself: This way you know they aren’t hungry and feel satisfied as you eat.
- Ignore it: Don’t give in. Make sure if other people live in your house or there are guests over, they as well ignore the dog and don’t give in.
- Training Commands: Tell your dog to lie down or go to bed if they come up to the table and beg. This trains your dog to wait.
- Reward them for not Begging: If they make it through your meal without pawing or coming up to you and your plate, give them a treat.
The key with feeding your dog and knowing whether they’re hungry or not is consistency.