Is Fasting Safe For Dogs?
I’m currently learning about feeding raw and have just finished reading Schultze’s book on the subject. She recommends fasting one day a week. I gather from other posts I’ve seen on here that this is something that not everyone agrees with. I must say I feel slightly uneasy about fasting two turbo-charged dogs who use immense amounts of energy when running free every day.
Two questions, really. First, what are your opinions on fasting? Do you do it? Why? And secondly, does anyone know (or know where I can find) any scientific explanation of why fasting may / may not be good for a dog?
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1.
Vivien | December 19, 2011 at 8:18 pm
As I understand it, the regime was first put about by people who realised that ‘in the wild’, canids don’t necessarily eat every day, and suggested that this ‘natural fast’ was beneficial to health.
However when it was realised that the only reason this ‘fast’ occurred was due to hunting failure and no other reason – that the animals were forced into it – the reasoning rather fell apart, and the system fell out of popularity.
2.
Batzorig | December 19, 2011 at 8:18 pm
I feed raw I do not fast as my dogs do not spend one day lounging about doing nothing.
3.
Jovana | December 19, 2011 at 8:18 pm
I do not fast my dogs, the amount of times to feed dogs is the only thing that I really disagree with her about. I feed twice a day with the odd snack inbetween. Plus as Indy is prone to hypoglycemic attacks it would be dangerous for me to fast her.
4.
Itotia | December 19, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Whenfeedingraw I didn’t fast,Travis would regulate his food intake himself,for example one day he may eat less then back to normal the day after
5.
Heller | December 19, 2011 at 8:18 pm
I never fast, but I also never feed the same amounts each day.
one day a week I will leave Maya a little more hungry than on other days.
Doesn’t seem to be doing her any harm.
It’s one of those Raw feeding choices such as supplements etc which is very much dog and feeder specific. If you feel right doing it and your dog is ok then do it.
6.
Xinavane | December 19, 2011 at 8:18 pm
I don’t see the point of fasting in dogs.Especially high energy very active ones. I feed less if my dog doesn’t finish her meal. She’s having a quieter day yesterday and today as Im at home so she’s more relaxed and eating less. The first food she would eat today was at 3 this aft- some brown rice and chicken. Wan’t interested in her regular food so she got some tasty fresh chicken. I wanted to make sure her blood sugar levels were kept up.
7.
Yasuo | December 19, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Yes, this is my thinking, really. My springers use enormous amounts of energy each day and I can’t imagine that fasting will be good for them. That’s partly why I’m interested in learning the science behind it.
Thanks, all, for your replies. If anyone does know of any articles etc on fasting, I’d still be interested to read more.