Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy-680 651, India.
*Reprint request: Dr. P. Vijayakumar, Division of Livestock Production & Management, Indian Veterianary Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, India; Tel: +91-98971-84733; E-mail: vijivet@yahoo.com
A study was undertaken to evaluate the feeding management of dogs by the dog owners in Central Kerala. Most of the dog owners fed their dogs with special home cooked, nonvegetarian food twice daily. Only 12 per cent of the respondents got advice from a veterinarian regarding the feeding practices to be followed for their dog. Between three and six months of age, the dogs were fed for the first time with rice and meat. Fully cooked meat, fish, egg, rice, vegetables and milk were fed to most of the dogs. Only one-third of the dogs were fed with vitamin and mineral supplements. About 55 per cent of the dog owners provided bones to their dogs. Nearly 50 per cent of the respondents added common salt to their dog's diet. Majority of the dog owners opined that it is essential to feed milk and meat daily to an adult dog. The study brought out that mostly pets are fed as per the convenience of owners. Hence, there is enough scope for creating awareness regarding scientific feeding practices.
Dog, Feeding, Management, Nutrition
