Tip #4  --  Food and Nutrition

You will have to make decisions about your dog’s food.  We always recommend that you do some research into this subject.

The poor quality of many commercial dog foods is surprising.  Many dog foods can not be digested properly, do not provide nutritional value and are missing essential elements.  The result of a poor diet is often evidenced by skin and coat problems, allergic-like reactions or a compromised autoimmune system.

We suggest you feed your dog food that is of a high quality containing USDA approved human grade ingredients.  BUT be sure you are giving your dog at least a premium quality pet store food, if not better.  We generally recommend a lamb and rice based kibble. This will make your dog healthier overall and will make a huge difference in preventing the skin problems often experienced by Westies.

Read the Ingredients Label

Please read the list of ingredients to ensure the food does NOT contain wheat, soy or corn.

 

Additionally, AVOID foods or treats that list any of these ingredients on the label:

• By-products (chicken by-products, beef by-products, etc.)

• Fats or proteins named generically, i.e., animal fat, poultry fat, meat meal; instead look fats or proteins named specifically, i.e., beef fat, chicken fat or lamb meal

• Food fragments, i.e., brewer's rice, corn gluten

• Animal digest

• Artificial sweeteners, i.e., corn syrup, sucrose, and ammoniated glycyrrhizin (added to attract dogs to unappealing food)

• Propylene glycol

• Artificial preservatives (BHT, BHA and Ethoxyquin)

• Artificial colors

• Sodium nitrate

• Flavors

Look for a commercial dog food to contain as few grains as possible.  A whole-meat source should be one of the first two ingredients, preferably two of the top three. 

See the following websites for more information about dog food:

Dog Food Comparison Charts

 

Canidae

Wellness for Dogs

Natura Pet Foods -- Innova, California Natural

Beowulf's Back To Basics Pet Food

Solid Gold Pet Food

Wysong Products

Flint River Ranch

Eagle Pack Holistic Select Formula

Nutro Choice Pet Foods

Breeder's Choice

Feeding Your New Westie

Some rescue dogs may be reluctant to eat during the first day or two in their new adoptive homes.  This will resolve when the dog becomes comfortable with his new surroundings and new family.  To ease your dog's adjustment,  it is often helpful to add warm water or warm broth (chicken or beef) to the dry kibble or mix a spoonful of canned food or chicken baby food with the kibble.

Don't leave your dog's food out longer than 30 minutes.  If your dog has walked away from the bowl, he/she has probably had enough to eat.  Discard the remaining food, since exposed food is unsanitary.

Please remember that sudden changes in your dog's diet can cause stomach upset and loose stools.  New foods should be introduced gradually over a period of 7-10 days.  Make sure you have enough of the old food to last during this transition.

FIRST DAY... Feed 3/4 of the old food and 1/4 of the new food at each meal.

EACH DAY THEREAFTER...Gradually increase the amount of new food and decrease the old food at a rate of 10% per day.

Some dogs adjust quickly. Others may take longer.  Be patient.

Be sure the treats and snacks you give your Westie are healthy, too.  Fruits and vegetables are healthy choices.  Whole raw carrots are great treats for your Westie -- crunchy, tasty and healthy.