Veterinarian Vicky has her practice in Taunton, in the South of England. After several years of treating and operating in surgeries, she now focuses on holistic medicine: phytotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy and nutritional counseling.
"If you know all the ingredients, it's usually a good food"
25 March 2024 — by Birka Kallenbach
100 foods, but which one do I choose? What is actually good dog food, how much food does my dog need and how can I tell if their at a good weight? We asked an expert.
Veterinarian Vicky Simon
When I ask myself as a first-time or new dog owner what I should feed my dog and I’m faced with an endlessly long shelf in the shop – what advice would you give me?
I have 3 rules of thumb that are pretty simple. Firstly, only buy a product where you know all the ingredients it contains. As soon as you don't know or understand something, don't buy it. And that means really understanding – for example, animal derivatives – you might understand the words, but you don't know exactly what they are. So it's better not to choose it. Secondly, if you've seen it on TV, it’s probably not a very good food. This also has to do with the first rule, because these companies often (not always) have a lot of fillers and similar in their food. And thirdly, if it sounds like you could eat it yourself, that’s a good sign.
...eat it yourself? I don't get that feeling with dog food!
(Laughs.) You don't really have to eat it. But if it says for example: beef, potatoes and carrots or something like that. That sounds like it could be a stew for humans because it’s a good mix. That's a really good sign.
I see. And if I have a puppy, do I need to pay special attention to anything?
In puppyhood it is indeed particularly important to have good food to ensure a balanced diet. And depending on the size of the puppy, the food should be in smaller pieces, especially if you’re looking at raw food. What many new dog owners don't realize is that the amount of food stated on the packaging refers to everything eaten that day. So, for example, if it says 200 grams, but you give 50 grams of treats throughout the day, you would have to subtract that. That is one of the first tips I give dog owners with their first puppy.
Now that I've found the right food and understand the ingredients, when should I talk to the vet about the food or how do I realize that I might need to change something?
Something that is often underestimated is that no matter what the dog comes to the vet with – be it a problem with diarrhea or vomiting, arthritis, liver or kidney – ALWAYS talk about the food too! The explanation is simple: If you treat the problem but the cause is in the food, it will come back – and that’s what you want to prevent. And in case of doubt, if you are unsure, simply go to a nutritional counselor. It's similar with weight, by the way. I also recommend simply asking the vet what the animal looks like at the moment during the visit. Does it have a good weight? Is it in the upper or lower normal range?
What do I do with that information? If the vet doesn’t say anything, that means everything is fine, right?
In itself it usually is, yes. But if you know what your dog looks and feels like when they’re at a normal weight, then you'll be quicker to notice if it changes. In other words, if your vet tells you that your dog's weight is optimal, you can consciously stroke, cuddle and "feel" them, so to speak. If you do this mindfully, you can memorize that what you feel at that time is good. And if you do this often, with this conscious feeling, you will also notice if something changes – if the dog gains or loses weight, and can feed accordingly.
So you would say that you shouldn't always give the dog the same amount of food, but alternate it?
Yes, absolutely. For example, if you take your dog on a walking holiday and they get a lot of exercise, they can be given a little more if they’re at a good weight. And the other way round: you can also give a little less during periods of little exercise.
When is the time you recommend that dog owners give their pets additional herbal support?
For a completely average dog that doesn't have any problems, I always recommend starting to supplement their joints around the age of eight. Herbal supplements are great because they can do a lot for the joints and can also be given on a long-term basis. I also find omega-3 fatty acids very valuable, especially if the dog is fed processed food. This is because there are often not enough high-quality fats in this food.
Infobox: How to "feel" your dog's weight
A dog's ideal weight varies depending on breed and dog – Vicky describes how you can still feel whether your dog is at a good weight.
- You should be able to feel the ribs but not see them
- The ribs should be covered, but not with a “wobbly” layer
- The dog should have a waist behind the rib cage, below the hips, on the belly – it usually goes a little inwards.
- Neither the pelvic bones nor the spine should be clearly visible but covered.
This applies to many "average" dog breeds, but these are only guidelines. It is best to ask your vet what the optimum weight is and then stroke the dog very consciously in these areas to memorize how your dog feels at this time.
