How Much Food Does Your Dog Need?

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com

Recently I had the opportunity to learn a bit about the recommended amount of food that is listed on all dog food bags. This is a topic I had never heard much about, and one that seems cut and dried. Surprisingly, it’s not!

Pet food manufacturers list on their bags an average amount of food required for dogs of several weight ranges. It’s important for you to know that these amounts are only a starting point for you to experiment with. To determine what your pup’s ideal amount of food is, you need a couple of important pieces of information:

• Weigh your dog and get a physical to get started with this process. Your veterinarian can advise you of a healthy weight range for your particular pet. At this appointment, you’ll want to be prepared to share your dog’s daily routine including his activity level, daily mental activity (training and brain games he may engage in), exercise specifics, along with the amount of training treats and other non-meal snacks that your dog gets daily. All this information will play into your vet’s advice.
• Another important fact that your vet may wish to have available is your dog’s food brand. Bring along the nutrition information  and ingredient list from the label to assist your dog’s doctor in evaluating his or her needs. Based on your dog’s age, breed, current weight and other facts, your vet should be able to give you a better idea of where to start with his daily food allowance.
• After getting this starting point, try to drop in at least every 2 weeks (more often is better) to weigh your dog. This information will help a ton in determining if you’re on the right track, allowing you to modify Fido’s allowance before he loses or gains an appreciable amount of weight.

You’ll also want to track any changes in his activity level, training time (brain work burns calories!), and extra snacks. If you’re feeding too many between-meal treats you’ll  quickly notice that this is adding to his waistline. Most dogs require only a few small treats each day to reward for extra special behaviors.

Tanner and Oliver, who each have very different jobs, probably get more treats than the average dog may require. Since they do a lot of photo work, posing, store visits, dog park visits and travel, they probably get an average of 3-6 very small ‘thank you’ treats each day. Were they not working for a living, I’m guessing they might only be getting a couple of treats on average, possibly for performing behaviors that are not generally asked of them, or for an energy burst when we enjoy more than the average amount of exercise.

If your dog is in need of dropping a few pounds, your vet will probably suggest you look at the weight management food to aid in this weight loss goal. You can also accelerate the process by gradually building up your dog’s activity. This needn’t be a sudden increase. You can simply begin by adding an additional 5 minutes to his walk or including a vigorous backyard fetch game each afternoon. As you build on this, you should find that your dog’s weight will begin to move downward on the scales. That’s going to be good news to you and your dog, as he’s sure to live a longer life and enjoy it more when he’s active and enjoying a strong bond with you.

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Doga Fun with Tanner

Speaking of bonding, I hope you'll join us for the #WeeklyWag each Saturday when I touch on various topics that help you and your dog bond even more closely. Included in this weekly feature, we often share yoga poses that you can do with your dog--#Doga! We've created a series of simple, one pose videos for basic training; find them at the link.  No need for Fido to stretch; just join you for an easy practice that keeps you in shape. See you soon!

Happy tails,

Loving my shirt from PawItForward.net. Stop by and visit, and be sure to let them know I sent you to their Facebook page too.

#OrganicPet Food Survey Says...

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

This infographic is sponsored by Castor and Pollux, the makers of ORGANIX. I have not been compensated to participate in this project.

What is Organic Pet Food?

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com 
What Exactly Does USDA Organic Mean to You?

Most of you know that I've been feeding my dogs ORGANIX organic dog food for, well, years. I've lost count. Today I'm participating in an #OrganicPet survey to collect some data on what your perception of organic is. This is going to be fun, since understanding what you believe about organic is very important to understanding what I can do to continue to educate you and myself about this important topic. You can help by giving me just a few minutes to take the organic pet food survey.

Just in case you're passing up this chance to offer your

insight, I timed my own taking of this 6-question survey. It took me a whopping 21 seconds. Can you spare 21 seconds to help us create more accurate information to use in our sharing. Thanks!


Along with a group of us in this mini research project, we'll be tabulating the data and creating an infographic to share our findings. Are you curious? I can't wait to see it. I've read so much about this original method of food production and farming that I often forget what I thought about it before I started on this journey. Watch for the infographic to come as we approach Halloween. No spooky info, I promise. Just your answers. Join us!

Happy tails,

This survey, infographic and the follow up post that will share some of my insights on shopping for your pets' food, is sponsored by Castor and Pollux, the makers of ORGANIX. I have not been compensated to participate in this project, but Castor and Pollux is my site's primary advertiser, so I'm eager to learn what our readers know about organic pet food. More soon!

Nourishing Your Dog for Long Days

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Chowing Down in the RV

I started thinking about this topic when I was taking a good look at how I manage Oliver's energy level during travel and hiking adventures. He's such a pipsqueak that I have to be sure I don't overfeed, yet I want to be sure he's energized. It's a fine line to walk.

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Transport for Long Days on the Go

I can hardly believe that it has been nearly 2 years since Oliver’s certification as a Medical Alert dog. We’re still learning, but we have come a very long way in reading one another. Mostly it’s me that’s learning now. The biggest lessons I have had to learn are in how to manage Oliver’s energy level when we’re on the go long days, such as when we’re traveling or heading out of town with lots of walking and outings.  Here’s a few tips I can share that are not just for service dogs, but for any dog that accompanies you on your daily doings:

• Sleep and rest:  Working dogs and pets alike all need to have a chance to recharge. Keeping this in mind, you can allow your Fido to grab a nap in the car, while you eat lunch, or even as you enjoy a picnic in a beautiful pullout along a scenic road. This is a great way to inspire your day and relax your mind while your dog gets a much needed power nap.
• Reinspiring your day:  Oliver and I have recently had an opportunity to practice our Doga and yoga asanas (aka poses) at some gorgeous places on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I think we both found this very relaxing. 
• Energizing your body with nutrition:  Just as hiking requires appropriate nutrition to give your dog the energy to trudge on down the trail, days on the go mean keeping your dog’s blood sugar stable with plenty of water and a regular snack to energize him. Oliver has had a throat injury that means I have to choose treats carefully. They either have to be soft, or I have to soften them with water. For that reason when I’m out and about I need to carry soft treats to help Oliver keep his energy level stabilized. We often choose Castor and Pollux’s Good Buddy treats that are a bit softer--chewy--and small enough for Oliver to swallow whole without incident. 
• Bigger dogs: When Tanner tags along, he likes a bit heartier treat, so Jerky Chip Cookies are his treat of choice-a good bit larger portion suited to his 70 lb. body. Choose your dog’s treats based not only on portion size that is appropriate to the dog, but also to the activity level they are experiencing. If you’ve got a couch potato, skip the treats and offer a healthy, organic meal twice a day, to help him feel that he is eating often enough, while also balancing his blood sugar proactively.



© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Doga Practice
 at Mabry Mill, Virginia

• Food choice: When choosing an organic food, consider your dog’s health status, activity level, age, and other factors to select the right food for him. You’ll find some in depth tips on food choice here.

© Diane Silver
Rocco Rocks!

Now, let’s consider what type of activity your pup engages in. My friend Diane’s dog, Rocco, is extremely active in agility, a sport that requires Rocco to practice regularly and summon spurts of high energy and enthusiasm in order to bring home ribbons. Dogs like Rocco need a diet that offers protein and healthy carbs in sufficient quantities to energize his practice and competitive runs, but also to provide his brain with the nutrition that will keep him mentally alert so that he is following his handler’s guidance as he weaves, jumps and shoots through the tunnel.

Oliver, Tanner and I spent a couple of years in agility training early in the boys’ lives. I can vouch for the extreme nutrition required to help push a pup through a long practice session. We were fortunate to have already converted to an organic diet--ORGANIX--rich in the many nutrients and healthy calories needed for this high-intensity lifestyle. I increased the dogs' food allowance during this phase of their training to assure they were getting adequate calories to carry them through their busy days.

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Oliver at Work

Now, Oliver has a different job. He is often on the go for whole days at a time, accompanying me on trips and vacations, as well as shopping and social outings. I’ve discovered a few things that help him manage, such as grabbing a nap while I stop for a meal and making sure he can rest at times when I can’t stop. He’s lucky to have come in a compact package, so I’m able to offer him rolling transportation that’s easy for me to use when our days get longer than average. After all, if I expect him to provide the alerts I need, I have to give him a lifestyle that supports his need for nutrition and rest.

The way I see it, even a pet dog needs superior nutrition to meet the needs of his daily life, whether it’s  walking  his owner (#TongueInCheek), exercising the family’s children, or guarding your home. These are all important jobs that our dogs probably take very seriously.

Got questions about an active, organic lifestyle for your dog? I’ll be happy to provide more tips and I can even connect you with a customer care expert at Castor and Pollux. Here’s to your active pup’s important jobs.

Happy tails,

The All Things Dog Blog dogs eat ORGANIX, which is why we're super excited to share their banner ad on our site. Tanner wants you to know that his favorite Jerky Chip Cookie flavor is Chicken, but Castor and Pollux has several flavors available for your discriminating pooch. All opinions you find here are completely our own. 

ORGANIX Winners Get Bonus Bowls

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
ORGANIX and More....

This latest promotion of our dogs' favorite chow has really brought out some newbies, along with our long time readers who are always a pleasure to have paying us a visit. It's been fun watching the chatter on various social media. With new bowls up for grabs along with a 25 lb. bag to each winner, you guys have really shown off your enthusiasm. Thanks and please remember that both Castor and Pollux and yours truly love to see "after" photos!

I have to clear up one important matter. One curious and concerned reader wrote to ask if I was really putting Oliver on a diet--LOL!  Good heavens! Under all that fluff he weighs in at 10 lbs. I think he's good! 

What I do plan to do is check the weights of each of our winners to assure we don't give a Chihuahua-sized bowl to a Great Dane winner, or vice versa. You get the idea. Our winners will receive a specialty bowl--or in some cases a pair of them--properly suited to their dog's size. 

More importantly, however, these lucky pups will get to enjoy the transition to an organic food, made by the manufacturer's own company from quality ingredients without toxins or artificial tagalongs that we find in other foods. Oh happy day!

We'd like to help you make this transition completely so that you'll discover the emerging benefits of this nutritious diet in the coat, behavior and health of your pup. Believe me, it's worth the time and effort to find out what you've been missing. Take the challenge and transition completely to the new food, noting changes in your dog as you go along. Be sure to let us know how it goes.

Drum roll please....our winners are: Bryn N., Jackie dogmoma, J. Diehl, and L. Glickman. I'll be in touch via AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. Watch your inbox and your spam file or feel free to write to me. I'll need your dog's weight and your full name and shipping address.

Happy tails,

As my primary advertiser, Castor and Pollux Pet compensates me for the ad you see at the top of my posts column. As their biggest fan, I serve their food to my dogs and recommend it whole heartedly. This giveaway was written entirely by me and contains only my own opinions.

Organic Pet Food Giveaway: Try ORGANIX and Score a Bowl Surprise Too!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Bowls and Chow for Your Fido!

Don't kid yourself about our All Things Dog Blog giveaways. We aim to please, even when it means bribery. This month's ORGANIX giveaway is getting a leg up with an assortment of bowls for our 4 winners to assure that dinner is served in style.

Our goal? We want to give you a goodly amount of this nutritious kibble so that you'll take your time, make the transition, and allow yourself to watch the changes in your dog that result in a truly healthful meal each day. Will your dog's coat gain shine and softness, will his behavior calm, will he appear more satisfied? Whatever the change, we know your dog will enjoy this food. 

 As of October, 2013 both Merrick and Castor and Pollux have earned the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Level 3 certification for its 195,000 square foot facilities located in Hereford, Texas. Moreover, Merrick's facilities are the world's only known Organic certified manufacturer that makes its own food to achieve this level of certification for both dry and canned food for pets under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). That's safety to cheer about!

As we draw our winners, the bowls will be assigned to the winners based on size, so each will be a surprise. We're looking forward to seeing a lot of variety in our Fido's entries, including their weigh-in on the scale!

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Time for a Weigh In :)

In order to win, you need only use the Rafflecopter entry form at the bottom of this post. Occasionally, however, we have to admonish this widget for lack of responsiveness. If this happens, just click on the title of the post to snap it back to attention. Then you can enter and have fun.

Entries will remain open through midnight on Thursday, August 21. We'll announce the winners on Friday afternoon, August 22. Just as the widget indicates, each one of our lucky winners will receive a 25 lb. bag (or the equivalent in smaller bags) of ORGANIX organic dog food. Be sure to let us know two things with a comment: your dog's weight and his favorite variety of ORGANIX kibble. 

Good luck to you all. I'll be back on August 22 with a list of winners.

As my primary advertiser, Castor and Pollux Pet compensates me for the ad you see at the top of my posts column. As their biggest fan, I serve their food to my dogs and recommend it whole heartedly. This column was written entirely by me and contains my own opinions only.