Hi guys,
I don't own a GSD but I am a student presently and I have a case study based on a hypothetical situation about a group of 6 week old GSD pups. My school book is very vague when it comes to the specifics and my googling hasn't amount to anything so I am here to ask for your help.
This is what I have so far and any information I could use to answer the other few questions would be greatly appreciated.
1. Scenario chosen:
The scenario I have chosen is “Six week old German Shepherd puppies”.
2. Discuss the specific nutritional requirements for this animal in this situation:
i. Life stage
These puppies would have just been weaned off their mother so they may require a supplement. They food the puppies are offered should be designed for puppies and reflect their nutritional requirements like more energy and protein than an adult animal.
ii. Seasonal factors affecting the animals
In winter, to help maintain body heat, the animals should be fed foods with higher fat or carbohydrate content to allow for extra energy to regulate their body temperature. This may not be necessary if inside temperatures remain warm. Extra Vitamin D will also help.
iii. Captivity factors
iv. Specific factors for the animal’s situation
v. Ensure you discuss in terms of nutrients to show your understanding
3. Discuss the feeding schedule required by this animal
i. Ensure you discuss:
a. How often the animal should be fed and in what quantities
I believe these animals should be fed three times a day in quantities that allow it to get the recommended intake of all the important nutrients, without the risk of obesity.
b. How the animal should be fed and how food is best presented
The puppies should be fed using a feeding toy such as a Kong toy that is suitable for their size. The food should be presented by showing the dog how to play with the toy and that if they keep playing with it; they get food out of it.
c. The reasons for the required feeding schedule
I believe this feeding schedule should be used because the puppies will not only be getting the nutrition they need, but they will also be getting mental and physical stimulation by having to play with the toy get their meals. Feeding them three times a day in smaller amounts will prevent boredom.
ii. Give information for any techniques you could implement to make the feeding process an enriching one for the animal eg hiding food, incorporating into exercise, using toys or equipment to mimic natural hunting behaviours
I would offer the puppies food in Kong toys appropriate for their size for mental and physical stimulation. I would also offer the puppies a size appropriate bone each or toy that takes a long period of time to eat for added nutrients and to stimulate them mentally.
4. Detail any monitoring techniques you would use for recording this animal’s feeding
i. How would food consumption be monitored
Food consumption would be monitored by measuring the food before it is offered and then after a period of time, measured again so we know how much the puppies are eating and if over a period of a week they are consistently not finishing all the food offered, the average amount left will be subtracted from the original amount of food.
ii. What else would need to be monitored
Weight would also need to be monitored to ensure the puppies are growing at a normal rate, as well as the overall health of the animal to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they require.
iii. Provide an example chart or log book for this situation
Thanks for all your help.
I don't own a GSD but I am a student presently and I have a case study based on a hypothetical situation about a group of 6 week old GSD pups. My school book is very vague when it comes to the specifics and my googling hasn't amount to anything so I am here to ask for your help.
This is what I have so far and any information I could use to answer the other few questions would be greatly appreciated.
1. Scenario chosen:
The scenario I have chosen is “Six week old German Shepherd puppies”.
2. Discuss the specific nutritional requirements for this animal in this situation:
i. Life stage
These puppies would have just been weaned off their mother so they may require a supplement. They food the puppies are offered should be designed for puppies and reflect their nutritional requirements like more energy and protein than an adult animal.
ii. Seasonal factors affecting the animals
In winter, to help maintain body heat, the animals should be fed foods with higher fat or carbohydrate content to allow for extra energy to regulate their body temperature. This may not be necessary if inside temperatures remain warm. Extra Vitamin D will also help.
iii. Captivity factors
iv. Specific factors for the animal’s situation
v. Ensure you discuss in terms of nutrients to show your understanding
3. Discuss the feeding schedule required by this animal
i. Ensure you discuss:
a. How often the animal should be fed and in what quantities
I believe these animals should be fed three times a day in quantities that allow it to get the recommended intake of all the important nutrients, without the risk of obesity.
b. How the animal should be fed and how food is best presented
The puppies should be fed using a feeding toy such as a Kong toy that is suitable for their size. The food should be presented by showing the dog how to play with the toy and that if they keep playing with it; they get food out of it.
c. The reasons for the required feeding schedule
I believe this feeding schedule should be used because the puppies will not only be getting the nutrition they need, but they will also be getting mental and physical stimulation by having to play with the toy get their meals. Feeding them three times a day in smaller amounts will prevent boredom.
ii. Give information for any techniques you could implement to make the feeding process an enriching one for the animal eg hiding food, incorporating into exercise, using toys or equipment to mimic natural hunting behaviours
I would offer the puppies food in Kong toys appropriate for their size for mental and physical stimulation. I would also offer the puppies a size appropriate bone each or toy that takes a long period of time to eat for added nutrients and to stimulate them mentally.
4. Detail any monitoring techniques you would use for recording this animal’s feeding
i. How would food consumption be monitored
Food consumption would be monitored by measuring the food before it is offered and then after a period of time, measured again so we know how much the puppies are eating and if over a period of a week they are consistently not finishing all the food offered, the average amount left will be subtracted from the original amount of food.
ii. What else would need to be monitored
Weight would also need to be monitored to ensure the puppies are growing at a normal rate, as well as the overall health of the animal to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they require.
iii. Provide an example chart or log book for this situation
Thanks for all your help.