Although the debate continues as to whether the domesticated dog descends from wolves or simply shares a common ancestor, there is no question dogs are canids. The canid digestive system is capable of absorbing nutrients from meat and vegetables, although they do not have an organ that can digest cellulose, the major component of plants cells. Canids in the wild work around this by feasting on the partially digested stomach and intestine contents of their prey.
Prior to the mid-nineteenth century, the diet of the canine remained
almost unchanged. Meals might have been supplemented with scraps
from the human table, but they primarily ate what they could find
in their environment. As more human food came preprocessed, it
was inevitable that dog food would be offered in this form as
well. Standards were developed for so-called "balanced"
diets that supposedly contain the necessary nutrition for all
stages of a dog's life. Early on, cereal companies cornered a
large portion of the pet food market, leading to many commercially
prepared foods that derive the majority of their nutrients from
grain rather than meat. Fierce competition between companies brought
the development of pet foods with appearance and ingredients intended
to appeal to buyers more than the dog who had to eat it.
As we became more concerned about red meat in our own diet, we
began looking for dog foods with alternatives to beef such as
chicken, lamb, turkey or fish. The meat source for most dog foods
are by-products which fall into several categories: parts people
prefer not to eat, such as organs, feathers, feet, beaks and hair;
parts that cannot be sold for human consumption, like lungs; or
parts considered uneconomical or impractical to process for human
food, such as cheek meat, tongue, or tail meat. While by-products
are considered acceptable sources of nutrition by most dog food
producers, some by-products may provide little nutritional benefit
(for example, feathers and beaks are technically sources of protein,
but cannot be assimilated by a dog without proper processing).
With a little knowledge and a desire to keep your Papillon in
top shape, you can sort through the nutrition puzzle. Pet owners
can help themselves by doing a little research, choosing a food
that meets their needs as well as their dog's, and using a little
common sense.
Today, the pet owner is presented with a wide variety of pet
food super stores where you can spend hours reading labels on
a dizzying array of bagged and canned dog food. There are foods
that claim to be perfect for the young dog, old dog, fat dog,
working dog, allergic dog, and small dog. The labels tout high
protein, low protein, low-fat, high calorie, natural ingredients,
non-allergenic ingredients and no preservatives. How is a pet
owner to choose.
Every living thing needs nutrients to live. The quantities and
proportions of these elements differ by the stage of life and
the need for energy. A working dog's needs are different than
a sedate dog, young dogs need relatively more nutrients than adults,
and stressed or malnourished dogs need more nutrients than a healthy
dog.
With so many dog food companies screaming for your attention, deciding what and how to feed your dog can be very confusing. The bottom line is that your Papillon needs to be fed a diet containing the necessary nutrients needed to maintain health and insure a long life. Some owners find their dogs do well on a commercially prepared diet, while others firmly believe that BARF (Bones And Raw Foods or Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods) is the key to Papillon fitness and health. Whichever you choose, it is important to consult with your Papillon's breeder as well as your veterinarian for advice, and then do your own homework to find a food that works for you and your dog.
Before the days of commercial dog foods, the ancestors of today's
dogs probably were offered leftovers from human meals, combined
with what they could forage, hunt or scavenge. This wide variety
probably came close to providing a "balanced" diet.
This natural variety is not available to the domesticated Papillon,
which means their owners must provide a tasty and nutritionally
complete diet. Proper feeding of your Papillon not only affects
your dog's health and well-being, it also becomes an integral
part of the bond you form with your dog.
Each state has its own agency to regulate animal feed and pet
food. These agencies have formed an umbrella organization known
as the Association of American Feed Control Officials, known as
AAFCO. AAFCO does not make nor enforce any regulations, but does
make recommendations which individual states have the choice of
adopting or rejecting. AAFCO has also worked toward creating standardized
labeling and definitions for ingredients in pet foods. Most of
what you find on a pet food label comes under some form of regulation,
from the weight declaration to the "guaranteed analysis."
Here is an example of the required order for pet label guarantees:
Crude Protein (Minimum Percentage)
Crude Fat (Minimum Percentage)
Crude Fiber (Maximum Percentage)
Moisture. (Maximum Percentage)
There are no other required guarantees. The number assigned to
a guarantee is determined by the pet food company, although "moisture"
does have a regulated maximum of 78 percent. The numbers provided
by the pet food company are of very little use to an expert in
animal nutrition, and even less to the average pet owner. Often,
pet owners mistakenly think that higher or lower numbers are indicators
of quality. Many companies add items to the list of guarantees
(like Omega-6 fatty acids) in the hope of influencing buyers to
choose their dog food. The problems with using the "guaranteed
analysis" to determine the quality of dog food are many.
For example, while a dry kibble may claim a "minimum of 16
percent fat," the consumer must read between the lines to
realize the fat content could be much higher. Any additional fat
will make a significant difference in the caloric content of the
food.
Additionally, pet owners must learn to study the ingredient order
of what makes up the dog food, and pay close attention to how
the food is named. While a can labeled "Chicken Dinner for
Dogs" would be required to contain at least ten percent chicken,
the similarly named "Dinner for Dogs with Chicken" can
have as little as three percent. The unsuspecting buyer might
believe these products are the same, which can lead to paying
premium price for an inferior product.
The "ingredient list," which is also found on the label,
is supposed to be arranged in order of weight, thus the main ingredient
will be found at the top. However, this list can be misleading.
One way is to add so many ingredients that the food product at
the top of the list actually constitutes a much smaller amount
of the food than would a product with a shorter ingredient list.
This is often done by separately listing the same ingredient in
various forms. So although a food might list chicken as the prime
ingredient, when you add all the grain in its various forms found
in the food (for example corn, corn meal, corn gluten), you would
realize that the main ingredient is not meat, but corn.
If a dog food is properly balanced, it provides the appropriate amount of essential nutrients required by your dog. So how do you decide between the hundreds of brands available?
While any dog can be prone to obesity, toy dogs are especially
susceptible. Two excess pounds may not make much difference in
a human or large breed of dog, but it is a substantial amount
to a four- to ten-pound Papillon. Fat dogs are more at risk in
surgery, more prone to injury, and have more stress on their heart,
lungs, liver, kidneys, and joints (particulary the patellas i.e.
"knee caps". Obesity complicates diseases, injuries,
and stresses the body. An overweight dog is predisposed to chronic
skin problems and is less resistant to infections.
As the owner and caretaker of a Papillon, you alone are responsible
for the weight of your dog. Obesity can be controlled through
proper nutrition, reduced portions, and exercise. A Papillon is
an opportunistic scavenger. He learns your number early and dials
it often. He can look starved and forsaken at the creak of a refrigerator
door or the buzz of a can opener. He'll eat himself into oblivion
if given half a chance, so you must be on your toes.
Snack time causes great problems for owners of obese dogs. Many
owners of obese dogs loudly proclaim they "only feed Buffy
a quarter cup of food a day and he still gains weight!" yet
neglect to mention the five dog biscuits, piece of steak, small
dish of ice cream, half the baby's dinner that hit the floor,
and that cookie before bed. Any treats or snacks must be included
when figuring how much your dog eats each day. Pieces of apple,
baby carrots, or a stalk of celery can make fun as well as nutritious
treats for your Papillon, and will help keep that waistline under
control.
Like all dogs, Papillons need a balanced diet containing just
the right amount of protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, and
minerals to ensure optimum health. These elements must also be
offered in the correct proportion to each other to provide a nutritionally
complete and balanced diet.
Dogs are not designed to thrive on meat only diets. The ancestors
of the Papillon would have consumed the whole body of their prey,
including bones, internal organs, stomach contents, skin and hair.
This would provide the dog with a "balanced" diet containing
essential nutrients which would be missing from a meal of muscle
meat alone. Today, it is our responsibility to do our homework
and find out how to best provide a modern version of a "balanced"
diet to our Papillons.
While it use to be hard to concoct your own dog food, there
are many books available now to help you come up with recipes
on which your Papillon will thrive. Many owners get a lot of satisfaction
from providing their dog with fresh, wholesome food. There is
increasing evidence that Papillons fed this way live longer, healthier
lives.
Even if you're not ready to take the plunge of becoming your dog's
chef, it is beneficial to add some raw, natural food to their
diet. Meat, eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, tofu, juiced
or pureed vegetables, and fruit can make wonderful additions to
your dog's meals.
With all the resources currently available, feeding a home-prepared
diet is becoming an increasingly popular way to promote our Papillons'
health.
There are commercially prepared foods available from reputable
manufacturers that can be used if you decide home preparation
is not for you and your Papillon.
Commercial dog foods are most commonly offered in three forms
- dry, wet, and semi-moist. The dry varieties have most of the
moisture removed and are probably the most convenient and economical
to use. Wet food, such as canned dog food, still contains the
moisture. Semi-moist food falls somewhere between the two. In
the last few years there has been an increase of frozen dog food
on the market, often very similar to the home-prepared recipes.
Because Papillons have a tendency to develop dental problems,
a diet comprised primarily of wet or semi-moist food is not recommended.
Be aware that canned foods contain as much as 75 percent water
and include color enhancers such as iron oxide and sodium nitrate.
Semi-moist foods include chemicals such as propylene glycol, color
enhancers, and lots of sugar, also making them poor choices in
spite of their convenience. A good quality canned food can be
used to increase the palatability of dry food, but should not
be used as the main food source.
No matter what method of feeding you choose, clean, fresh water
must be available at all times. Some breeders believe that giving
their Papillons only bottled water will help prevent tear staining.
When traveling, it is advisable to carry your own water supply
to prevent stomach upsets.
Monitor your dog's drinking habits. Increased thirst is often
an indicator of a medical problem.
Because puppies need more than twice the energy of an adult
while they are maturing, they can benefit from additional protein
and amino acids for growth as well as minerals for healthy bones
and teeth.
Papillon puppies need to eat large amounts of food in relation
to their body weight but they have tiny little stomachs. To compensate
for this, a puppy needs to be fed several small meals a day. It
also helps if the puppy's diet is designed to meet a number of
useful criteria: the food should be concentrated to ensure an
adequate intake of nutrients before his stomach is full, the food
should be easily digested to maximize its nutritive value, the
diet must be balanced to provide the right amount of nutrients
to meet the puppy's particular needs, and it should also be tasty
so that he will eat it.
Although Papillons usually retain their vitality well into old age, as they get older they do tend to become less active and are thus more prone to weight gain. In advanced old age, some dogs develop digestive problems and an inability to use the nutrients in their food, which can lead to weight loss.
Like humans, dogs are affected by the aging process and changes in the immune system. Fortunately, some of these age-related changes can be managed nutritionally. Antioxidants can be particularly beneficial to the aging Papillon. Research shows the addition of Vitamin E in an older dog's diet can enhance the immune response so that it resembles that of a younger dog.
How often you feed you Papillon will change as your dog ages. Puppies differ from adults in metabolism and nutritional requirements. Going to a new home can be a traumatic experience, and it is not unusual for some Papillons to "go off their feed" during the time it takes them to adjust to their new environment. Allow your Papillon some extra time with the food during this adjustment period.
When you pick up your Papillon, discuss the current diet with the breeder and ask for a written diet sheet that also outlines the current feeding schedule. This should give details about the types of food, quantities, how often to feed, and time of day the dog is used to eating. Don't be in too much of a hurry to alter your Papillon's diet, as changing homes is a stressful time for him and continuity of feeding is important. When your puppy arrives in his new home he may show signs of stomach upset and diarrhea caused by stress. If he does have diarrhea that persists for more than 24 hours, rapidly becomes more severe, or the stool shows any signs of blood, consult your veterinarian. Also, if you want to change his diet, wait until your dog has settled in, then gradually change it over a period of at least three to four days.
It is not a good idea to leave food with a Papillon so it can "free" feed. This method tends to create picky eaters, can lead to obesity, and does not allow the owner to know when a dog has stopped eating, one of the first signs of illness.
As a breed, Papillons are hearty, enthusiastic eaters. Being the intelligent creatures they are, they can also use food as a manipulative tool if the owner allows it. A dog that constantly refuses to eagerly accept a wholesome meal when it is presented is ill or has not been taught to eat properly. As with humans, proper eating habits for Papillons begin at weaning. Puppies from six to twelve weeks will need to be fed at least four times a day. From 12 to 20 weeks, three meals a day are a good idea. After five months, feeding twice a day is adequate, and at eight months you can decide if you wish to feed once a day or split the meal into morning and evening portions. These are only estimations. Whenever your Papillon begins to leave some food in the bowl, you will know it is time to adjust the schedule or amount.
Food should be placed with the dog in a quiet place (preferably a crate) where it can be consumed without interruption or fear that another animal will take the food. After 15 minutes, remove the food and do not provide any more food until the next scheduled feeding. Treats and biscuits are allowed, but should be limited, preferably used as a training reward, and must be figured into the total amount of food the dog is fed each day. Papillons love healthy foods, so get in the habit of keeping fruits and vegetables (like carrots and apples) around for treats.
No matter where or how you decide to feed, you should strive to establish a stable routine. Making feeding into an exciting ritual creates eager eaters and happy Papillons. A routine will also help in your housetraining effort by maintaining a normal appetite and encouraging regular bowel movements.
Because Papillons vary widely in size and energy requirements, the amount each dog eats per day must be determined on an individual basis. While a three-year-old, five-pound dog might thrive on one-half cup of food a day, another might gain weight with this amount.
The best way to know how much to feed is to monitor your dog's health and weight with your hands and eyes daily. If you have a bright-eyed, energetic Papillon that is neither thin nor fat, you are probably feeding the correct amount. Overweight dogs will need their portions reduced and you may need to add low-calorie raw foods to add bulk to the meal, filling the dog's stomach without adding lots of calories or fat. Thin dogs will need to be fed larger portions or a higher calorie food.
Your own schedule should determine when you feed. An adult dog's rations can be divided and fed morning and evening, or the whole meal can be given once a day. Some breeders like to feed in the evening when they have more time to make it a pleasant ritual. Others like to feed in the morning to reduce housetraining accidents during the night. Dogs fed once a day can be given a good quality biscuit as their "second" meal.
Many experts in the field of dog nutrition feel that if a dog is fed a balanced diet it does not need supplements. Some go so far as to say that you will "unbalance" the food with any additives. Many breeders disagree, and regularly supplement their dogs with a variety of products to promote healthy coat growth, enhance the immune system, increase reproductive capacity and aid digestive function.
It has become a popular practice to give puppies and pregnant bitches added calcium. However, the owner must be aware this can do more harm than good if the calcium is not properly balanced with phosphorus and magnesium in the diet. Too much calcium can cause a multitude of problems.
There is still controversy surrounding supplementation with Vitamin C. Many breeders believe the additional C will prevent injuries, relieve the effects of stress, and promote good bone development. If you want to supplement with C, increase the dose gradually as it can cause diarrhea. Loose stools means you are giving too much.
Remember, your Papillon is what it eats. It is up to you to make sure it eats well and lives a long, healthy life.
© 2001 Susi Gleffe / Toon Town Papillons
