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FAQ about dogs
Q1 Generally about feeding dogs
- ProBiotic LIVE is adjusted to meet all the nutritional requirements of a dog and can be used as a standard diet.
- To minimize the risk of overweight it is important only to give the recommended amount of food. It is recommended to feed the dog a minimum of two meals throughout the day to give the dog a better sense of satiety.
- If in doubt about whether the dog is fed accurately it can be a good idea to weigh it regularly. By doing so you will know if the dog loses or gains weight so that the amount of food can be adjusted.
- Make sure the dog always has access to fresh cold water.
Q2 Can all dog breeds eat ProBiotic LIVE?
Especially large breed dogs are sensitive to large amounts of calcium in the puppy food. LIVE PUPPY contains 1,4 % of calcium, but the content should be compared to the amount of energy in the food since there is a difference between how much food a Labrador and a Chihuahua needs. Studies recommend the content of calcium between 1,5 and 3,5 g Ca pr. 1000 kcal.
LIVE PUPPY:
14 g Ca pr. kg of food
4240 kcal pr. kg of food
((14 g Ca/kg)/(4240 kcal/kg)) x 1000 kcal = 3,3 g Ca
As the calculation shows, LIVE PUPPY contains the correct amount of calcium recommended for puppy food suitable for all breeds.
Q3 Is the dog not fed enough if it eats stuff it finds?
Some dogs love to eat things they find and can always locate “great” treats when they are for instance out for a walk. It is not always possible to detect what and how much a dog eats this way, and therefore it can be difficult to adjust its daily food ration accordingly. It is advisable to keep the dog from eating stuff on the walks because these things can sometimes lead to vomiting and diarrhoea. However, searching for food is an instinct for many dogs and teaching them not to follow their instincts can be quite difficult. The problem can sometimes be solved by feeding the dog before taking it out for a walk, to give it a sense of satiety. This may take the edge of the dogs’ interest in scraps and other “delicious” things.
Q4 What du you have to be aware of, when feeding a senior dog?
As dogs grow older many changes within the organ systems happen. These changes are important to keep in mind when choosing feed for your senior dog, thus it is important to choose a high-quality food to ensure your senior dog gets all the nutrients it needs. The most important thing to make sure is that health and optimal weight is maintained, thus at the same time prevent or relieve any obvious signs of ageing.
Because of abovementioned factors, food for senior dogs should contain a lower quantum of calories, seeing as older dogs are usually less active than they used to be. It is also advisable to feed older dogs a minimum of two carefully measured meals a day to prevent obesity. In some cases, it can also be beneficial to add a feed supplement to take into account any special needs e.g. concerning diseases.
Q5 Is eating grass a problem for dogs?
Most dogs eat grass occasionally, but there is no simple explanation as to why. In some cases, the grass can cause vomiting and therefore some dogs will eat grass if they have stomach issues. Some dogs will lick on or chew the grass if it smells good, for instance, if a bitch in heat has pied in it. The grass is not digested by the dog and will therefore just pass through the intestinal system.
Q6 Do dogs really require lots of meat?
Generally, dogs are omnivorous, and they are not always very selective when it comes to choosing food-sources. Dogs can easily digest both meat and plants, and if the diet is composed of the right ingredients, dogs can survive as vegetarians. However, meat is a great source of protein, and other than adding taste to the food meat also has a better-balanced content of amino acids than grains. Besides, many vitamins and minerals are natural components of meat, so if the dog is not fed meat, it is important to make sure these vitamin and mineral requirements are met by supplements. Many amino acids are vital to the dog e.g. carnitine, methionine and cysteine.
Q7 Is it a problem if dogs eat cat food?
Many dog owners experience their dog being very interested in cat food. The cause of this is often the fact that cat food has a stronger smell than that of dog food. Generally, it is not harmful to a dog to eat cat food occasionally. However, the nutritional requirements of dogs and cats are very different, and therefore it is not advisable for a dog and cat to share food. Other than that, most cat food contains a great deal more calories than dog food. Hence, there is an increased risk of the dog becoming overweight if it eats cat food.
Q8 How to give a puppy the best start in life?
From birth and throughout upbringing puppies need safety, love and attention. A safe environment gives the puppy the best possible conditions for learning and growing. Other than that, the puppy must be fed according to its nutritional needs. ProBiotic LIVE ensures the puppy the best nutritional conditions and supplies probiotic bacteria to help maintain a balanced microbiome (microflora) and healthy digestion. This way the puppy is given the best possible conditions for a good start in life.
Q9 Can ProBiotic LIVE be used for dogs with a sensitive digestion?
Yes, ProBiotic LIVE contains easily digestible protein, and therefore it is a suitable choice for dogs with sensitive digestion. The daily allocation of probiotics ensures the optimal balance of the digestive system and decreases the risk of developing diarrhoea.
Q10 What can you do for dogs with bad breath?
There can be many causes to dogs having a bad breath, and the problem is often of great inconvenience to the owner who has to socialize with the dog every day. The cause of the problem can be maldigestion and the fact that acid or food accumulates in the stomach. However, infections in the teeth, gums or lip folds can also cause bad breath. By giving the dog probiotics optimal digestion is ensured, thus decreasing the risk of bad breath because of the accumulation of acid or food in the stomach.
Q11 Does maize in dog food cause behavioral problems?
The reason for maize to cause behavioural problems apparently is the assumption that maize affects the serotonin level in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical compound found in the brain and is biochemically derived from the amino acid tryptophan. It is thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness. Maize has a low content of tryptophan, but since maize is never the sole food source for your dog, the problem with low serotonin levels because of a low tryptophan intake will never occur. Besides, there is no scientific proof that food containing maize affects the behaviour of dogs.
Q12 Is it possible to alternate between the different taste variants?
Because of the containment of probiotics, it is possible to alternate between all of the ADULT and SENIOR variants without mixing the food for a few days. When changing from PUPPY to ADULT it is advisable to mix in the ADULT with the PUPPY gradually over the course of two weeks.
Q13 If a dog is scratching more than usual, what can be done?
It is completely natural for dogs to scratch themselves occasionally. However, there can be many causes if a dog starts scratching more than usual. Dry skin and coat, skin infections, fleas or allergies can cause it. Whatever the cause is consulting a vet is always a good idea if dogs suddenly start scratching more than usual, thereby ensuring the correct treatment.
In the case of food intolerance or a dry and scaly coat, ProBiotic LIVE will usually be beneficial. The feed contains hydrolyzed proteins and no gluten. Other than that, it has a high content of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, which supports the barrier of the skin and helps to restore a healthy shiny coat.
Q14 Why do some dogs eat faeces?
Eating stools is not abnormal behaviour for dogs. However, it is often very unpleasant for the owner. Some say the problem is caused by nutritional deficits whilst others seem to think it is a behavioural issue (e.g. an attempt to keep the territory clean). There is no simple explanation to the phenomenon, and whilst some puppies grow out of it, some dogs will continue to eat stools throughout their entire lives. Dogs have a natural interest in things with a strong odour and therefore it can be very difficult to overcome the habit of eating faeces.
Q15 How do you switch to ProBiotic LIVE?
Changing a dog’s diet to ProBiotic LIVE does not require a gradual transition. The containment of probiotics ensures optimal digestion from day one.
Q16 Can probiotic LIVE prevent tartar?
Yes, the kibble contains many small gaps of air, which motivate the dog to chew instead of swallowing the food. When the dog chews the kibble, it has a mechanical impact on the teeth and gums. This mechanical impact helps to prevent the formation of tartar. Other than that, the kibble is hardened so it does not crumble in the sack, and these hardened kibbles also motivate the dog to chew. Besides this, all variants of MINI BREED contain STPP which reacts with enzymes in the saliva to prevent the tartar from forming.
Q17 Can ProBiotic LIVE be used as special diet for dogs with diarrhoea?
Dogs with diarrhoea require an easily digested diet and nutrients that are absorbed well. By using ProBiotic LIVE one ensures these requirements are met. Other than that, the addition of probiotics quickly helps to restore the normal balance in the intestinal system, hereby aiding to a quick recovery.
Q18 What does it mean if a dog stops eating?
There can be many causes as to why a dog stops eating. It can be signs of disease but can also be because the food has not been stored correctly, or simply that the dog does not like a new taste or brand. Some types of pet food are not produced from an exact recipe, which means the taste of the food can vary from sack to sack. This is not the case with ProBiotic LIVE, because it is produced after the same recipe every time. This ensures the same quality and taste in every sack. Other than that, all kibbles are coated with salmon oil, which also helps to improve the palatability, even for very choosy dogs.
Q19 Do light colored dogs become reddish around the mouth if they are fed the variants containing salmon?
Salmon in rearing is often fed food containing red dye in order to make the salmon look extra appetizing to the consumer. Salmon from the wild are naturally orange coloured because they eat shellfish, which contains natural dye. The salmon in ProBiotic LIVE comes from the wild, hence it does not contain the artificial red dye, which is what potentially colours light dogs around the mouth. Using ProBiotic LIVE eliminates that risk.
Q20 How do you feed an active dog most optimal?
Very active dogs require extra energy, proteins and minerals. Therefore, they need the correct amount of food to ensure these requirements are met. Dog food contains three sources of energy – protein, starch and fat, where fat contains 2,5 times as much energy than does starch and protein.
Hence, active dogs require extra amounts of especially fat and proteins. The proteins contained within the food has to be easily absorbed in order for the dog to utilize it the best, which is why it is important that the protein source is of high quality. ProBiotic LIVE is adapted to ensure an active dog the best possible exploit of the nutrients. The added probiotics help to keep the digestive system balanced to make sure the dogs perform at its best. For active dogs, the daily ration of food should be increased. Recommendations are available at the back of the sack. As an alternative, it is possible to deal with the increased energy requirements by supplementing with LIVE PUPPY.
Other than ensuring the active dog optimal nutritional conditions it is important that the dog always has access to fresh cold water. It might also be a good idea to bring an energy-rich supplement to give the dog during breaks. It is advisable not to feed the dog just before it has to work and at the earliest 2 hours after.
Q21 Can ProBiotic LIVE be used for dogs with a tendency to overweight?
Older, neutered and inactive dogs may have a tendency to become overweight. Overweight must be avoided at all costs since obesity in dogs has the same consequences as seen in humans. Increased risk of joint problems, diabetes or problems with the heart are some of the consequences associated with obesity. LIVE SENIOR contains the same good nutrients as ADULT only with lower calorie content. LIVE SENIOR is the optimal choice for the older dog who is not as active or the neutered dog with a tendency to overweight.
Q22 How do you feed a pregnant bitch?
Dogs are pregnant an average of 63 days (9 weeks) and during the first 5 weeks, the energy requirements of the bitch do not change significantly because less than 30 % of the fetal growth happens during this time. The fact that the fetuses grow as little during the first weeks of gestation means that a vigorous growth happens during the last 3-4 weeks. This puts a lot of pressure on the bitch, and therefore it is important to feed her properly to make sure her energy requirement is met. It is recommended to switch to a good quality puppy food in this period because puppy food contains much more energy than adult food. This means the bitch can eat smaller portions, but still receive the amount of energy she needs for the growth of the puppies. Eating large portions can be difficult for her at this time because the puppies put pressure on the stomach.
During the first time after birth, it is important that the bitch receives all the food she can eat together with large amounts of water because she needs enormous amounts of energy to produce milk for the puppies. She can use up to three times as much energy as normal, depending on the size of the litter, and therefore she should continue eating puppy food in this period. Probiotic LIVE PUPPY can be used during pregnancy and nursing since all energy requirements are met. Other than that, the daily allocation of probiotics helps to keep the digestion of the bitch balanced during a period of exposure to many different stressors.