Fido’s Fall Foods

Winter is coming up quickly: the cold weather will be here before you know it. Your canine buddy is going to need a little extra care as temperatures drop. Much of that entails taking steps to keep him warm and safe. However, you may also want to adjust Fido’s diet a bit. In this article from Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO animal clinic, serving Louisville, CO and surrounding areas, a local vet discusses seasonal dining for dogs.

Supplements

Your canine buddy may benefit from certain supplements. Of course, supplements should always be chosen based on a pup’s specific health and needs. For instance, glucosamine and fish oil products are great for many pooches with bone/joint issues. Dogs that have skin and fur issues may benefit from Vitamin E and A, biotin, and/or zinc. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Portion Sizes

You may need to give Fido bigger portions as it gets colder. Pups that spend a lot of time outside definitely need extra calories just to stay warm, as will working dogs, nursing mamas, growing puppies, and dogs with thin fur. Ask your vet for recommendations.

Seasonal Treats

Pumpkins and apples are definitely the dominating flavors at this time of year. Fido can enjoy an occasional apple slice. You can even spread some natural peanut butter on it! If you like baking, you can try making your pooch some peanut butter treats. Just combine a can of pureed pumpkin with peanut butter, an egg, and whole wheat flour. Mix it into a batter, and use a cute bone-shaped mold to divide into small portions. Bake at 375F for 15 minutes, or until it’s just the right amount of crunch.

Unsafe Foods

Halloween events are forerunners to many more holiday gatherings and parties. Fido will definitely have his most effective begging expression and theatrics when those goodies start coming out of the oven. Just take care not to let him have anything that isn’t safe. That list includes all Halloween candies, particularly anything that contains chocolate, nuts, raisins, or xylitol. Anything with a lot of salt, sugar, or fat is also a no-no, as are items with grapes and raisins. Ask your vet for more information on safe and unsafe treats. Please contact us at Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO animal clinic, serving Louisville, CO and surrounding areas, anytime. We’re here to help!