Fasting your dogs? Do you do it?

[Ned Makim 116]

I give mine a day of their tucker a day a week or a fortnight. Allows them to empty fully. Closer to a natural way of functioning and that's what I prefer.

Cheers.

[vld 62]

Thank you for all the comments.

 

I've got a bit of a mixed buch - my 1/4 bull is 68lb and the JRT is 17lb- they get mixed biscuits, 1lb of barf, veg and household left overs - I'm not worried about them as I leave food with them and they often goes back to it in the day - ( I know they say that you should take a bowl up as soon as a dog stops showing interest in it- but I dont)

 

The pup is 22lb and is fed twice aday - she started life on complete food and used to eat it fine but since introducing BARF she will not eat the biscuits at all - so she's a worry - I leave biscuits in her food but also give her pasta/rice etc - she eats around the biscuits

 

My 1/2 greyhound/1/2whippet (42lb) - shown in pic has a scabby nose (not contagious or anything but vets have never been able to get to the bottom of it) its her that I'm trying to avoid the biscuits on just to rule out any food intolerances - so she gets the rice, barf and veg and she is the one I'd worry about loosing weight. Shes also getting kelp powder.

 

the advice on here has been great and I think its really good to get feedback from other people and someone to talk to if you have concerns. Thanks lads and girls!

Sounds like you are giving a good mixture of protein, fat and carbs so shouldn't go far wrong. As to starving I can see no real use to this as you just have to feed extra on the other 6 days which will overload a little more than needed and the starve day will empty the stores of energy in the muscles and liver which in turn will lower energy levels for a day or so afterwards.

PS if you feed rice/biscuit etc you are not feeding BARF, you are giving a mixture of raw and cooked, what used to be called a balanced home made diet. BARF has no cooked or cereal, mind I recon what you are doing is better than BARF.

 

Good point ref the BARF - I know its not strictly a true BARF diet, I don't cook any of the meat but do add the extras. I'd read somewhere that for a 40lb dog you need 1lb of BARF a day (well I'm not being funny but it didn't look enough to feed a budgie, so I added the extra bits to it). Rocky, I'm certainly not fasting me dogs already - -think there is less shit simply because there is less waste to come out -eg they're taking more out of the food that when they were just on the complete dried stuff.

[Moll. 1,770]

A day of fasting is beneficial for dogs. Not only does it give it's system a chance to clean itself out but also time to rest.

You do not feed extra to your dogs on the other 6 days, just feed as normal. I have done this for years now.

 

 

I first read about it as a child in one of Buster Lloyd Jones books.

 

http://www.denes.co.uk/advice/fact_sheets/fasting.php

 

The idea of fasting may seem quite strange to most of us, but simply mimics the behaviour of animals living in the wild. Food would not always be available and even the best hunters would not be able to find or catch food every single day. In fact, it would be quite normal to go for one or two days each week without eating. Similarly, sick animals would probably be unable to catch food or would simply not feel like eating. This enforced break would allow the digestive system to have a rest, during which time the body could concentrate on healing and repair.

 

Fasting essentially allows the body to unload accumulated waste products, such as toxins that have been stored in the liver and the fat reserves over a period of time. In addition, fasting also provides an opportunity for tissues to repair and regenerate, enhancing both health and digestion. The overall effect is to help restore the natural balance of the body. This will also go some way in preventing chronic health problems, such as skin, joint and heart conditions and can result in a fitter, brighter and more alert animal. Fasting also helps prevent obesity, as fat reserves are burnt up during fast days. It can also be included as part of the overall treatment for some chronic conditions, such as skin problems, and can also help with breaking a fever.

 

If you plan to fast your cat or dog on a regular basis, then ideally you should try to do this at least once every month. Otherwise, try fasting whenever you feel that your cat or dog needs a boost or if they have a condition that would benefit from a period of fasting.

Edited February 4, 2011 by Moll.

[skinner 348]

miss one day a wk

[vld 62]

thanks for all the comments/advice.

[Mosby 355]

Adding to the above and previous statements - having cleaned out the digestive tract by fasting the dogs are better able to absorb what is fed to them on days not fasting. I have also been told that fasting promotes muscle growth. When the fast is over and food is fed again the body releases growth hormones. I have been raised fasting myself. Not always once a week but I fast often. My girlfriend thought I was torturing my dogs because she had never heard of it but her old couch potato house dogs are ancient looking at half the age of our hunting dogs, excersizing and yes fasting. However, during the days not fasting my dogs feed on whole carcasses of the game they kill.All they can eat every day. Everything is eaten, bones, guts, fur, meat and fat. Lean muscled dogs with shining coats is the result. I do also use dry food with my table scraps if I can't hunt that week. And if the game is too lean I give lard to the dogs.

[vld 62]

Adding to the above and previous statements - having cleaned out the digestive tract by fasting the dogs are better able to absorb what is fed to them on days not fasting. I have also been told that fasting promotes muscle growth. When the fast is over and food is fed again the body releases growth hormones. I have been raised fasting myself. Not always once a week but I fast often. My girlfriend thought I was torturing my dogs because she had never heard of it but her old couch potato house dogs are ancient looking at half the age of our hunting dogs, excersizing and yes fasting. However, during the days not fasting my dogs feed on whole carcasses of the game they kill.All they can eat every day. Everything is eaten, bones, guts, fur, meat and fat. Lean muscled dogs with shining coats is the result. I do also use dry food with my table scraps if I can't hunt that week. And if the game is too lean I give lard to the dogs.

 

 

Thanksfor all comments. When fasting is it best to fast your dog on a day you know you won't be working it - or doesn't that make any difference?

[Mosby 355]

I do it a day I'm not hunting