Being a pet parent is not easy.
Whether you are an experienced or novice owner, it can happen that you make honest mistakes, create incorrect habits and follow routines that are not entirely healthy for your four-legged friend.
Here are the 6 most common mistakes made by Italian pet parents - from the lack of dental hygiene to the little time dedicated to exercise, through to incorrect eating habits - and the advice to remedy this and best support the well-being of four-legged friends, depending on the size and age of your dog.
Giving the dog leftovers from their meals
According to an analysis conducted by Edgard & Cooper, 35% of Italian pet parents give leftovers from their meals to their four-legged friends1.
However, it is an incorrect habit, especially if done consistently, because it encourages incorrect behavior - in fact, if you continue to give food from your table to the dog, it will feel justified in asking for it at every meal - and can lead to overweight and nutritional deficiencies.
Furthermore, sometimes the food put on the table may contain ingredients and substances that are risky for animals.
This is the case of garlic, leeks and onions, which if present in large quantities could cause damage, as well as grapes, raisins and dried fruit (especially almonds, walnuts, pecans and macadamias), which could cause inflammation and stomach problems;
and chocolate, tea or coffee, which can affect the nervous system and lead to palpitations, respiratory problems and, in the most serious cases, lead to death.
Following a diet that is too rich or too low in proteins
Although the dog is an omnivorous animal, more than a quarter of pet parents (28%) feed their four-legged friend following an exclusively carnivorous diet, a habit that can become a mistake when the amount of protein is excessively high and not monitored correctly.
In fact, as shown by some studies, eating too much protein could favor the onset of kidney problems.
However, be careful to respect the minimum daily protein requirement which varies depending on the breed and age of the dog: for puppies it is equal to 25%, while for adult dogs the percentage drops to 18%3.
The values rise in the case of animals that are particularly active, pregnant, breastfeeding, recovering after surgery or in the presence of certain pathologies.
For the most suitable food plan for your four-legged friend, it is always a good idea to rely on a veterinary nutritionist.
Don't take care of your dog's dental health
Taking constant care of your dog's dental health is essential to his well-being, but, according to the analysis, many pet parents don't worry about it.
In fact, 36.1% said they only take care of their four-legged friend's oral hygiene occasionally, while 14% admit they have never done so.
In the long run, however, poor dental hygiene can have a big impact on your pet's health.
The plaque that begins to form on the teeth, in fact, can cause bad breath and damage the gums, a condition which, in the most serious cases, can evolve into gingivitis and periodontitis.
It is therefore better to prevent, giving your four-legged friend dental sticks prepared with natural recipes with low calorie content and with a shape that ensures an extra duration of chewing in order to prevent the formation of plaque and at the same time fight bad breath.
Also reducing the risks are kibble, which, thanks to the friction with the teeth, helps to remove plaque.
Don't read the labels
Product labels are the first tool that pet parents have at their disposal to understand how to take care of their four-legged friend's diet appropriately, but the Edgard & Cooper report shows that 6.3% of Italians do not read the list of ingredients and 26.6% do not include all the components present in the list on the package.
From the point of view of consumers it is therefore essential to improve their purchasing habits, informing themselves and making more informed and careful choices, while from the point of view of brands it is important to make labels transparent and easy to understand, clearly reporting not only the percentage of fruit, vegetables and meat present in the product, but also the type of the latter - from duck to deer, through salmon, chicken or lamb -, also specifying whether it is fresh meat or not.
This allows consumers to understand whether the product is really suitable for their pet's needs, whether it is natural, whether it contains artificial additives and whether it is compatible, in general, with their purchasing choices.
Not doing enough physical (and mental) activity
18% of pet parents dedicate less than half an hour a day to physical activity for their dog, but four-legged friends need to exercise for their own well-being and to prevent feel frustrated and bored, which can cause behavioral problems such as chewing objects around the house, excessive barking and developing increased aggression.
Clearly, the ideal time and frequency depends on the age, breed and health of the animal.
Not to be overlooked is the importance of mental activity for the dog, which can be activated through animal puzzles, olfactory or memory search games, such as finding hidden prizes in the house or sliding surfaces with his paws to find one. snacks, but also through interaction and play with other dogs, which can help lower the animal's stress levels.
Do not define a meal routine.
The ideal amount of daily meals depends on the size and age of the dog, but a good rule may be to feed the animal twice a day, unlike what 6% of pets do. parent, who only offers a meal to their four-legged friend.
It is ideal to offer puppies three meals a day.
From six months onwards and for all adult dogs, two meals are better, one in the morning and one in the evening.
Finally, elderly dogs can follow a routine consisting of two meals a day, reducing their calorie intake during the evening meal.
In any case, the fundamental aspect remains to establish fixed meal times, because these help regulate their metabolism and appetite, promote healthy digestion, help prevent obesity and reduce anxiety thanks to the creation of a stable environment and a reliable routine for the dog.
A further piece of advice is not to delay too long in feeding the last meal of the day, which must not be too close to the time your four-legged friend goes to sleep.
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