Page 38 - Aussie Magazine - 2024 Issue 3

Health

Some Aussies only eat what
they need, while others will
eat all that is given to them,
and then some! Each dog is a
complex mix of genetics and
learned behaviours and some
dogs are just more food-
focused than others.

How active your Aussie is
plays a big part in how many
calories they need, which in
turn determines how hungry
they are. It’s important
that your dog gets enough
exercise so that they can
burn up the calories they eat
during the day. Similarly, it’s
just as important that your
dog gets enough food to
replace the energy they’ve
burnt.

Certain medications, such
as prednisone, can cause
dogs to have an increased
appetite. For some medicines, HEALTH CONCERNS
these effects can gradually
improve over time, as your
dog gets used to it. These Some Aussies may It’s important to try to find
effects should stop after your eat because they’re the ‘Goldilocks zone’ of
dog stops taking the drug bored or because they how much to feed your
but talk to your vet if you’re have large appetites, dog. Feeding them too
concerned about any effects but sometimes certain much can lead to weight
from your dog’s medication. health conditions gain, while not feeding
could make your dog enough can lead to weight
It’s easy for certain habits hungrier. loss and a very hungry dog.
to creep into your daily life, These include: How much you feed them
like giving your dog treats • Diabetes depends on their:
whenever they show their • Cushing’s disease • Age
‘sad eyes’ face. But dogs are • Thyroid problems • Neuter status
smart, and they’ve learnt that • Certain cancers • Level of activity
pulling on your heartstrings • Parasites • How often you feed
can get them a tasty snack. • Certain them
When your dog asks for food, gastrointestinal • The calorie content of
they may not even be hungry problems the food
but may be doing it out of • Problems with their • Whether they need to
habit – and also don’t want pancreas lose or gain any weight
to pass up the chance for a
tasty treat.

38 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 3/2024