MEETING THE WELFARE NEEDS OF SEIZED DOGS IN A KENNEL ENVIRONMENT 11
��� DIET
2. DIET
Making sure dogs have a healthy diet
ACTIVITY FEEDERS
Research has shown that most dogs do not become
possessive over activity feeders. Once emptied, the value
placed on feeders usually reduces greatly which means
that the chances of dogs displaying aggression are low.
Displays of guarding behaviour towards people can be
prevented by avoiding confrontation and by using other
distractions which the dog finds rewarding e.g. taking the
dog for a walk or giving it another toy or food treat.
* It is important that any Body Condition Scoring (BCS) system used is validated. The BCS systems developed by Purina and Waltham have been validated and are suitable to use.
2.1 Food and water
a) All dogs must be provided with continuous access to fresh,
clean drinking water, except when being transported.
b) All dogs must receive a palatable diet that fulfils their
nutritional requirements and is matched to their age, breed,
health, reproductive status, body condition score*, and
weight and activity level. A veterinary surgeon should assist
with devising an appropriate diet, and manufacturers' advice
should be read and followed.
c) Wherever possible, changes to a dog's diet should not be
made suddenly. Whenever possible, details of the seized
dog's diet should be obtained at the point of seizure and
any changes in type, quantity or frequency should be
implemented gradually over several days. In the absence
of information about a dog's diet, or where the current
diet is deemed unsuitable, a bland diet should be
introduced initially.
2.2 Feeding regime
a ) Adult dogs must be fed at least once a day, unless advised
otherwise by a veterinary surgeon. Consideration should be
given to the feeding regime the dog has been used to in his
or her previous home/accommodation.
b) Dogs should be fed at least two hours before
transportation and should not be fed shortly before or after
strenuous exercise.
c) If more than one dog is housed together, each dog
must be fed from a separate bowl to reduce potential
competition.
d) If a dog's eating or drinking habits change, the dog should
be closely monitored by trained and competent staff.
A veterinary surgeon should be consulted if there is no
improvement within 24 hours and must be if the animal's
condition worsens.
e) The body condition and/or the weight of all dogs must
be monitored regularly and diets adjusted to ensure
the correct body condition score and weight is achieved
and maintained.
f) To achieve e) above, kennels must have weighing scales
available for staff to monitor the dogs' weight. Dogs should
be weighed at least once a week, with the information
recorded in a suitable place i.e. the individual dog's daily
care sheet (see Appendix V for an example). A number of
companies provide body condition score charts, which can
be useful in assessing a dog's body condition .
g) For individually housed dogs, part or their entire food ration
should be provided in an activity feeder. For example,
where safe and appropriate to do so for individual dogs,
a food-filled Kong can be provided just before staff leave
at the end of the day and collected the following morning.
During the day the Kongs can be cleaned and food prepared
for refilling. It can also be beneficial to provide part of
the food ration for pair- or group-housed dogs in this way,
as long as dogs do not guard these.
For more detailed information on the feeding of pregnant and
lactating bitches and puppies, see Appendix I.