A Dog’s View – Tip 6: You Are What You Eat

  Hello, my name is Versace. I am a four-year-old Terrier-Pit Bull. Not only am I adorable, I am affectionate too. I had a great life until allergies forced my owner to surrender my sister and me to the animal shelter. One day soon, I hope to find a home with people who love me.

My sister Sassie is an eight-year-old purebred Rottweiler. Being in a shelter frightens her. My wish for Sassie is to find a quiet home to live out the rest of her life.

I’ve shared my hopes and dreams, now I’d like to provide the benefits of welcoming a dog into your life. Did you know that owning a pet can improve your overall health? One walk a day or a several minutes playing ball with your pet would increase your activity level, thereby lowering blood pressure and improving heart health? In addition, our silly behavior brings extra smiles to your face and leaves you in a better mood. Tests indicate that spending time with animals lowers your stress level more than spending time with family and friends. I’m sure having someone who views you as the greatest person in the world also plays a positive role in emotional health. Decrease the amount of hours you spend in a doctor’s office by stopping by the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter to adopt your next pet. My paws are crossed that you’ll pick Sassie or me.

I’ve shared the benefits of owning a dog, now I’d like to share a tip that will keep your pet healthy. This tip comes from our trainer Laura Garber. Laura and the staff at the animal shelter are committed to keeping our hearts and bodies healthy. Enjoy Tip 6 – You Are What You Eat!

The saying “You are what you eat!” applies as much to dogs as it does to people.  Feed your dog a diet with high-quality nutrient sources.  Look for specific meats (like “chicken”) as well as specific meat meals (like “turkey meal”), which offer a high concentration of the meat source.  Avoid by-products and, above all, corn, which is a simple sugar.  Finally, remember that animal proteins are not only tastier but also more digestible than plant proteins in dogs.  It is a rare dog that can thrive on a vegetarian diet.

Is your dog hyper, unfocused, and exhibiting out-of-control behavior?  It may be due to an extremely high level of cereal foods such as wheat, corn or corn meal.  As a test, soak a piece of his kibble in water for 15 minutes; if it swells in size and gets mushy, it’s mostly cereal.

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Love,

Versace and Sassie

About the Author and her sister: Versace’s former owner indicated that she is house trained, crate trained and lovable. Her sister Sassie is a gentle giant who would flourish with a family familiar with her breed. Both dogs are spayed and micro chipped. For more information, please contact the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, 3320 Beltagh Avenue, Wantagh, New York. Our telephone number is     516-785-5220.