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I was at a family function yesterday and someone just adopted a beautiful beagle from a rescue home.
Their vet told them it is good to give the dog cottage cheese mixed in with her food for protein. Is this good?
I am asking as I would love to mix something in for my little one. Right now, I give her boiled chicken mixed in with Science Diet. But sure would love to give her a little more vairety.
Is cottage cheese okay? My baby is a little maltese.
I thank you so much in advance and again Happy Holidays
I am very disappointed any vet would suggest messing with the dog's diet. I am lucky enough to know a few top ones. They would forbid it.
What is good for dogs and people is a complete and balanced diet and not too much of it. Even is somebody made a people food as good for them as dog chow is for dogs, it would never sell. People demand a verity and often insist on eating too much carbohydrates and fats rather then veggies and cheese that has things they need too. So the things we don't eat enough of are ''good'' for us. If your puppy was eating a diet short in fat, protein, and whatever else is in cheese, then cheese would be ''good'' for it. If your puppy is eating a complete and balanced puppy chow, then cheese or anything else that isn't a complete and balance diet really does not improve its diet. If fact it throws it out of balance. Adding cottage cheese could result in excess calcium. That is one of the worst things you can do for a growing puppy, because too much calcium interfers with the body absorbing what it needs.
The only safe thing for an ordinary dog owner to feed is a regular puppy chow. It is almost impossible for anybody to improve on a dog's diet over dog chow.
sorry, my "baby" is actually 7 years old. I guess this still applies though. The beagle I was asking about is about 1 1/2 yrs. old. but still not good is it?
I never heard of that one before. Feeding cottage cheese mixed with regular food. Although when I was growing up with my lab. I used to feed her chedder cheese slices. My little puppy lived until she was 18 years old. We gave her regular food as far as the cheese slices my mother never new.
I know, I never heard about the cottage cheese thing either. That is why I just had to ask.
I felt like I was depriving my little one. I just want what is best for her.
Hubby gives her sooooo many treats. Oh my, the poor little thing. It is just not good for her. I can not even remember that last time I gave her at treat, as he does enough for 10 people. I keep a good eye on her and make sure she eats her Science Diet meals though.
Thank you again, I can just picture all of you sneeking the cheese slices to your lab. Labs are great dogs...
Do you know old that vet was? Could he still be solving problems of the 50's? I know that even as late as 1980, there were still cheap chows that failed to provide a good diet. In the past everybody had there own little way of doctoring up the poor quality chows, but now that does more harm than good.
Likely the biggest mistake now is over feeding the dog. It not only can lead to early joint problems, but shorten the dog's life. For a good way to determine the proper weight for your dog, see http://www.puppychow.com/products/po...condition.aspx
Thank you so much for your time and sharing your knowledge. I so appreciate it.
I will take a look at the link. My little one is about 10 pounds, closer to 11, but should only be 8. I know only a couple of pounds difference, but in can make a difference, and not in a good way.
I don't know why hubby is so insisitent on giving her so many treats. But he has cut back, so that is a start.
No, I don't know how old the vet was to advise that. I just struck me, as I never heard that. So glad I asked you.
If you feel compelled to treat your dog - as opposed to actually supplementing the food which is not necessary - a teaspoon of plain low fat yogurt is a good treat that does not have a lot of added calories and fat.... stay away from the flavored ones though because the sugar is not necessary either.
(tablespoon for a large dog) and I wouldn;t recommend more than 1 time a week. So very many dogs are kept overweight and it is just so bad for them.
Anytime. I am happy that you enjoyed my little story about my lab. Beautiful animal. Very smart and loving and caring. She was well taken care of. Like one of the family. Like many animal lovers they tend to treat their little ones. It is good that your not doing it too much.
Most vets will recommend cottage cheese and white rice for a temporary diet for dogs with digestive problems and some dogs with certain allergies. It sounds like your dog might be overweight already and cottage cheese would be adding a lot of extra calories that she doesn't need.
Being a maltese and being overweight are not a good combination. Many maltese have genetic problems with their knees and any extra weight can make it worse. Also being overweight is the same for dogs as it is for people and can lead to heart problems, diabetes, pancreatic cancer etc.
So if you really love her put her on a diet (I know it's difficult when you look into those eyes. Plus I have a husband that does the same thing) but it's best for her. Talk to your vet about a safe way to reduce her weight.
Also, if you can't get your husband to stop with the treats, give him little pieces of carrot to feed her instead. They are good for her, don't have many calories and help clean her teeth.
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