Miniature Schnauzer – Dealing With Eating Related Difficulties



Hello everyone!

This is Sharda again for another Miniature Schnauzer newsletter.

Some eating related problems in Schnauzers may be caused by psychological issues, but for the most part dogs with eating disorders are either eating the wrong diet or not receiving enough exercise.

Many owners feed their dogs excessive amounts of table scraps, human treats, and other items that are simply not healthy for dogs to consume.

Some of these items, such as chocolate or onion, may in fact cause toxicity in dogs and can lead to death in some cases.


FOOD

 

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There are many different brands, types and styles of dog food available on the market.

While price is a factor, the most expensive is not necessarily the best.

A good quality premium dog or puppy food will contain all the essential elements that a healthy dog will require.

A dog that has other health issues may require a specialized food and this can be prescribed by your vet.

A good quality dog food should contain:

Watch the label for high levels of low-quality protein products such as meat by-products and bone meal, by-products and corn gluten meal. Look instead for whole meats as the key source of protein, rather than “meat derivatives”.

Specific diet recommendations can be obtained from the breed registry or a breeder.




DENTAL PROBLEMS

Some eating disorders marked by rapid weight loss and a disinterest in food may be due to poor dental condition or painful teeth. If it hurts a dog to eat, it is less likely that they will consume as much food.

Check the dog’s teeth and gums for any signs of disease, bleeding or swelling. Try changing to a softer dog food until the vet has the dental issue under control.

LACK OF EXERCISE

Dogs can become lazy and more sedate as they age. If your Schnauzer has slowed down due to aging, you may need to adjust their food intake accordingly to prevent obesity. Obesity in dogs is not a healthy condition, and can complicate respiratory, circulatory and other body systems.

Try encouraging your dog to exercise more, playing fetch or Frisbee, or just going for a long walk together. Remember if your dog is out of shape they will need to work up to long walks or runs, just like an out of shape person needs to do.

Try to spend time with your dog and make the exercise pleasant for you both.

Dogs that experience a sudden weight gain with no major change in diet will need to be seen by a veterinarian as this can be a sign of serious conditions.

PICA

Pica is the name of a medical condition where the dog attempts to eat inorganic or non-food items. This is more than just chewing, as the dog actually chews and swallows the item

It may be caused by a chemical imbalance, a nutrient, vitamin or mineral deficit in the body, or a nervous or psychological condition.

A veterinarian can complete blood tests to determine if there is a medical reason for the behavior. Adjusting the dog’s environment and diet may be required to correct this issue.

Coprophagia, or the eating of feces, will be discussed later. This is a very embarrassing and potentially dangerous behavior for the dog to engage in.



REFUSING TO EAT VS. FINICKY EATERS

Schnauzers that refuse to eat when there has not been a change of diet or other traumatic event should be immediately taken to a veterinarian.

This is usually the sign of a significant medical concern if the dog does not eat at all in 24 hours and there have been no changes in diet, environment or living conditions.

Dogs may choose to not eat if they are finicky or picky eaters. This is easily determined to be the case if the dog will not eat the balanced dry dog food but will eat table scraps or wet food, or their favorite dry food or treat.

You can avoid creating a finicky eater by:

  • severely limiting the amount of table scraps or treats given during the day
  • gradually switching to a new food so the dog acquires the taste for the new food
  • scheduling feeding times, and only leaving the food out for the dog for twenty minutes twice a day
  • mixing a very small amount of the desired food in with the balanced food and gradually eliminate the mix
  • exercising the dog more so they are hungrier at meal times
  • avoiding free choice food, as you will be unable to monitor how much is being consumed

Many people mistakenly feel that a dog will get tired of one kind of food over and over

his is not true, as dogs will actually benefit from a consistent, high quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements.

Thanks a lot,