Ask Lindsay! All about Feeding Your Dog.
Veterinary Technician Lindsay Hirt with her dog, Sunny. (photo by Katie Carmickle Photography)
Welcome to my first installment of “Ask Lindsay,” a series of articles based on questions you’ve submitted for veterinary technician, Lindsay Hirt.
When I inquired what you would ask a veterinary technician if you could ask her anything, I received SO many questions about feeding your dog, so that is where we are going to start!
Lindsay, is Farmer’s Dog worth the hype?
“Firstly, it’s important to consult your vet before starting your dog on any particular food because there is no one-size-fits-all dog food. You need to consider the age, breed, and health conditions of the dog and whether the dog has any known food allergies. A puppy, for example, needs a higher fat diet than an adult dog.
“Can you do a fresher pet diet? Yes. Should it be Farmer’s Dog? I wouldn’t as a veterinary professional go to any of the new fancy highly marketed diets. Just because it’s expensive and convenient doesn’t mean it’s the best option. I recommend choosing a well-established brand that has a history, case studies, consistency, standards, and a veterinary panel behind it.”
Can dogs eat a grain-free diet?
“It is backed by veterinary science in spades…do NOT give your dog a grain-free diet.
“Domesticated dogs are omnivores. They require fiber in order to have firm stools, and they need grains to support their energy capabilities and physiological functions.
“There is a correlation between grain-free diets and an increase in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). I have a client whose dog was on a grain-free diet and developed a Grade 3 heart murmur and was coughing and developing fluid in the lungs back in March. We started a grain-inclusive diet, and in June he was down to a Grade 1 heart murmur. Am I 100% sure it was the dog food? No, but I’ve seen a lot of cases that certainly suggest it.”
Should dogs eat “people” food?
“Dogs love a little bit of diversity. You can supplement your dog’s veterinarian-recommended dog food with things like sweet potato, pumpkin, plain rice, blueberries, and strawberries. There are many different kinds of fruits and vegetables that are safe for dogs, and I always urge people to check out those lists from reputable sources like the ASPCA.”
Thank you, Lindsay!
photo by Katie Carmickle Photography
Lindsay Hirt has 20 years of experience working in the veterinary medicine field. She earned her B.A. in biology at the University of Maine at Machias and her M.S. in Emergency Management from Massachusetts Maritime Academy. She has taken graduate level courses at Bridgewater State University and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and has her teaching certification for the state of Massachusetts.
Her work has included program management, consultation, and course development for animal care and conservation sciences. She is currently the technician supervisor at Leach Animal Hospital in Mashpee, Massachusetts.