Dog Nutrition

Dry, wet or fresh and raw? The range of opinions on the right way to feed our four-legged friends are as diverse as the choice of foods commercially available. But is BARF really healthier? Does wet food taste better and is dry food cheaper? We'll show you the most important advantages and disadvantages of the different feeding methods. In a nutshell, there isn't any one feeding method that is the best for all dogs to the same extent. Be it raw dog food, dry or wet food, every dog food has its advantages and disadvantages. In principle, you can give your dog a healthy diet with ideal energy and nutrient provision with all three varieties.

Giving a Labrador Retriever the right nutrition wouldn't be an issue at all if the Labrador were left to decide – the most important thing is there being a large quantity of food. This is one of the breeds that isn't exactly choosy regarding its diet. What's more, it's very difficult for us humans to resist its loyal and hungry-looking puppy dog eyes. These circumstances make it even harder not to overfeed a Labrador. The Labrador Retriever was originally deployed as a retrieval dog during hunts. It is now classed as an ideal family dog due to its good-natured, friendly character and how it enjoys being in close proximity to humans. A Labrador's diet should be based on its activity level.

The selection of dog food is huge and some owners are at a loss as to which product they should choose. Uncertainty persists particularly concerning the subject of food for different breeds: do dogs really need breed-specific food? Read now why food adapted to the special needs of individual dog breeds can be extremely advantageous.

When both cats and dogs form part of your household, you may ask yourself if it would be harmful for them to eat from the other animal's bowl. There is a clear answer to this: dogs and cats need their own specific food. However, it's no cause for great concern if your canine companion occasionally has a nibble at the contents of your cat's bowl or vice versa. Be aware though that 90% of illnesses that cats and dogs suffer from can be traced back to inappropriate food.

Most people know the term “cold-pressed” from olive oil, but have you ever wondered what is behind the term “cold-pressed dog food”? We will explain the difference to conventional dog food and give tips on searching for the right dry dog food.

The Golden Retriever is an even-tempered and adaptable dog breed. It was bred to be a hunting companion deployed together with other dogs, which can explain its extraordinary tolerance of fellow dogs, animals and humans too. The Golden Retriever is characterised by its will to please with a high level of attention and easiness to train. This tendency makes the breed a perfect family dog, very affectionate, gentle and happiest participating in all family activities. It easily fits in with its intended role. Along with its even temper, the Golden Retriever is a cheerful and lively dog with a high urge for activity, remaining playful into old age. All Retriever breeds are proven to come from Newfoundland. In the 19^th century, there was lively fish trading between Britain and Newfoundland. When staying in Newfoundland, British sailors were able to observe the island's robust and weather-resistant dogs at work. They were enthused by how these water-loving dogs retrieved mooring ropes from the water and fish that had fallen from fishing nets even in tempestuous weather. The sailors brought a few of these dogs known as little Newfoundlands or St John's dogs with them to Britain, where they were crossed with British hunting dogs, resulting in the Wavy-Coated Retriever. In 1864, Lord Tweedmouth purchased a striking yellow-coloured Wavy-Coated Retriever called Nous. He paired this male with a female Tweed Water Spaniel called Belle. This breed was also famous for good, tenacious retriever dogs. During the next 20 years, the Golden Retriever came into existence following further pairings of the offspring of Nous and Belle with Wavy-Coated Retrievers and Tweed-Water Spaniels, as well as Irish Setters. Golden Retrievers were then deployed for hunting, particularly of ducks, in order to retrieve dead birds from the water too. Their intelligence and adaptability also make them excellent guide, rescue, explosive or sniffer dogs.

All dog owners are initially shocked when “diabetes mellitus” is diagnosed. However, the good news is that your dog can nevertheless lead a long, healthy and happy life with an adapted diet and the right care and rearing.

Nowadays, the selection of dog food is greater than ever before. Whilst the variety of products should offer something for every dog's taste, the buyer is spoilt for choice: which food is the right one? Is dry food better than wet food or vice versa?

Finding the right dog food is always a challenge, so making sure that your young puppy is receiving the correct nutrition for growth and development is extremely important. The first year of your dog’s life is crucial for their physical and mental development. Scientifically, this period of your dog’s life corresponds to around 12-15 human years. Small breeds mature at between 6-9 months, whilst larger breeds can take between 18-24 months to fully mature. In the first 12 months you will notice your dog grows immensely, with correspondingly high nutritional needs. Your puppy will need plenty of energy in the form of crude fat and protein, as well as vitamins and minerals, to help develop healthy bones, joints and muscles.

Up until a few years ago, the raw-feeding method of nutrition was a mystery to most dog owners - however, nowadays raw feeding plays a key part in canine nutrition.

Check out Royal Canin dry dog food especially for pugs in our shop. “A life without Pugs is possible, but pointless.” This saying comes from Loriot, one of the most famous Pug devotees. Loriot wasn't the only fan of this breed though; stars like Jessica Alba or Mesut Özil are also Pug lovers. Pugs can become famous themselves too, such as in the case of Sir Henry, the Pug belonging to society lady Uschi Ackerman with its own Facebook page and Pug collection. Uschi Ackermann's maxim is: “You don't own a Pug, you fall for it.”

Dogs love exercise, be it going for walks with their owner or even dog sport. But what's the score when exercise suddenly causes pain? Joint disorders are nowadays one of the most regular ailments suffered by dogs. Read here how to prevent joint disorders and what you can do with your dog's diet to counteract them.

Who can resist those begging eyes? A few treats or food leftovers from the table won’t be so bad, will they? Although many dog owners know that excess weight harms their dog, they often act too late. Perhaps a few rolls of fat don’t alarm them or they simply don’t recognise the onset of obesity. However, you can easily recognise and successfully tackle weight gain in dogs with a few tricks and rules. Excess weight in dogs is a health problem that needs to be taken seriously and should be tackled with a sensible diet plan and suitable exercise schedule. But exactly which measures help to combat excess fat and what does a change in diet to encourage weight loss entail?

Vegetarian food is more than just a trend, since there are many arguments in favour of avoiding meat: vegetarian food is healthy, no livestock is harmed and it protects the environment. But what's the situation with our dogs – is a vegetarian diet suitable for them too?

BARF is amongst the trends that most dog owners are now familiar with. But have you actually heard of whole prey? We will explain what this independent feeding method consists of and what advantages and disadvantages are associated with it.