Food For Your Dog In Autumn
As we all know, fall is the season of the year that precedes winter. For your dog’s body, this means not only the passage of time, but also the need to prepare for the low temperatures and adverse weather conditions of this season.
Next, we will see how to offer optimal nutrition and proper care for your dog in autumn.
The appetite and behavior of dogs during the fall
Although companion dogs no longer live in the wild, their bodies still have many natural (or instinctive) needs and behaviors. Therefore, it is likely that your dog will show more appetite and more energy with the arrival of autumn.
There is no need to panic when identifying this change in your dog’s behavior in the fall. In the wild, animals often increase their food intake before the onset of winter.
It’s their way of preparing for food shortages during the colder season of the year. In this way, dogs can also save energy in winter and avoid exposing themselves to bad weather in search of food.
As looking for food and metabolizing it requires energy, your dog’s body will be more active in the fall. The warmer days with mild temperatures, allow your pet to be more willing to exercise, play and explore its environment without feeling heavy or overwhelmed by the heat.
Therefore, autumn is also an excellent season for outdoor activities, sports, walks or trips with our furry friends. Obviously we will need to provide them with an excellent diet and the appropriate care to keep their bodies strong and healthy in this season.
How to offer balanced nutrition to your dog in autumn?
Although your dog may increase his appetite in the fall, it is essential to offer him balanced nutrition. A poor diet is not only one that is poor in certain essential nutrients, but also one that contains them in excess.
If we offer our dogs too much food to fully satisfy their appetite or cater to their whims, we can promote obesity.
When food consumption increases and energy expenditure does not, your dog will start to gain weight rapidly. Being overweight in dogs is very dangerous, since it usually leads to joint, heart, metabolic problems, etc.
The key to optimal nutrition is to respect the nutritional requirements of the animal’s body. Therefore, it is important to have the guidance of a veterinarian when choosing the best diet for our dogs.
The veterinarian can help you choose the ideal feed or establish a natural and homemade diet based on the needs of your dog’s body ; It will also tell us how to calculate the amount and the appropriate feedings for your age, weight, size, health status and growth curve.
Good food for the dog in autumn
In addition to offering him his food in the right proportions, it is interesting to incorporate beneficial foods to complement your dog’s diet in the fall. The introduction of fresh and natural food will help satisfy your furry’s appetite and provide a high supply of fibers, vitamins and minerals.
Some vegetables such as broccoli, celery and spinach offer a high content of antioxidants, fiber and iron, among other nutrients, but we should not give them excessively to our dogs.
When these vegetables are taken in moderate doses, they favor intestinal transit, improve digestion and help prevent numerous diseases. But in excess they can cause diarrhea and gas in dogs.
Vegetables, vegetables and fruits
Also pumpkin, carrot and zucchini are very healthy foods for your dog in autumn. In addition to vitamins A, C, E and B complex, they contain minerals and fibers that help strengthen the immune system and prevent constipation.
Regarding fruits, cranberries and strawberries provide a high intake of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C. Therefore, they help prevent numerous degenerative diseases, as well as colds and other common pathologies in autumn and winter.
Pears and apples are also very nutritious and healthy fruits for dogs, helping to maintain a well-balanced metabolism.
Many dogs can also experience seasonal stress, being hyperactive or more nervous than usual. In these cases, it is beneficial to offer them some natural painkiller, such as cooked oatmeal and chamomile or valerian infusions.
Last but not least, remember to offer your dog adequate preventive medicine in the fall. In addition to making visits to the vet every six months, it is also essential to keep his vaccinations and deworming always up to date.
