Essential Tips for Feeding Newly Adopted Street Dogs

Newly adopted dogs can present some common feeding challenges, including:

1. Food Guarding

This behavior, known as "resource guarding," involves a dog's assertion of dominance over food, toys, mates, or even their owner. It's particularly common in robust puppies, those who are overly pampered, dogs with inadequate socialization, those who have experienced prolonged hunger, or those accustomed to aggressive takeovers. Some dogs may exhibit guarding behavior immediately after being fed, which can be perplexing and even frustrating for owners. However, this is a natural response.

Consider this simple analogy: when you offer a child a piece of candy, they may wait patiently, but once they have it, they're unlikely to part with it easily. Dogs, too, may have been through experiences of scarcity, competition, or even harm, making them reluctant to share. They may exhibit behaviors like wolfing down their food, slowing down to watch you, staring, growling, or even attacking to protect their resources.

It's crucial to avoid harsh methods like forcibly taking food or yelling at the dog, as these can exacerbate the problem.

How to Improve This Behavior?

If the guarding doesn't cause harm, it may be best to ignore it and not disturb the dog during meals.

Instead, create a relaxed eating environment and gradually build trust and obedience.

2. Refusing to Eat

Dogs may experience "stress response" and stop eating due to anxiety or stress, such as when their owner leaves, they change environments, are boarded, or meet other animals. Here are some strategies:

Allow the dog time to adjust.

Remove the food if they don't eat, establishing a feeding schedule.

Consider supplements like "Chillout" to help manage stress.

Offer fresh, warm food to stimulate appetite, and even奶粉 can be an option.

3. Eating Too Fast

Stray dogs and large breeds often struggle with "fast eating," sometimes earning the nickname "food vacuum." Since dogs have weak digestive systems, this behavior can lead to bloating, choking, vomiting, and even gastric torsion. To address this:

Encourage trust and a sense of abundance by feeding smaller, more frequent meals.

Use slowfeeding bowls or place a toy in the food bowl to distract them.

4. Diarrhea

Dogs may suffer from gastrointestinal discomfort or intolerance when introduced to new food too quickly. Here are some suggestions:

Try a 7day transition to new food.

Feed probiotics and consider "Soft Stool Fighter" or hypoallergenic dog food.

If there are signs of blood, worms, or other foreign objects in their feces, or if they have persistent diarrhea, consult a veterinarian.

When welcoming a new dog into your home, whether it's a new adoption, fostering, or caring for a stray, it's important to recognize individual differences and avoid these feeding issues to ensure the dog's healthy and safe growth.