Your pet eats four times a day and as she/he gets older, reduce to one or two meals a day. The feeding schedule is built around your schedule but also provide the opportunity for the puppy to have at least four hours between meals. One cup of dry food mixed with a quarter of a small can of moist food in the morning and evening will prove to be sufficient for your growing pup. The other two meals could consist of a few dog biscuits, carrots and some pabulum (rice is best). Keep your puppy nicely rounded but not overweight. Remember, they grow rapidly and nutritional needs change as the puppy grows. The use of vitamins and other supplements with a quality dog food may reduce the nutritional value or nullify the benefits of the vitamins in the dog food. This does not mean that the veterinarian can not prescribe certain vitamins to ensure a strong healthy pup. Feeding people food usually only shortens the life of your pet. Dog food is developed to ensure the nutritional needs of your pet. People food is prepared by whim and has nothing to do with nutritional value in many cases When your dog reaches a year or year and one half in age, he/she requires a change in food. The growing process slows and he/she requires less protein and fat. Change your pet over to an adult dog food after one year of age or advice from your veterinarian. You may now feed once or twice a day and normally two - three cups of dry food per day will prove sufficient. The method of feeding depends on your dog. Some dogs will eat everything in their bowl immediately or pick at the food as the mood hits. By giving meals at a certain time of day the animal gets into a routine that is very upsetting if you miss "FEEDING TIME." The other method of feeding is "free choice." This method allows you to set out food for the day and allow the dog to eat when it wishes. The method of feeding depends on the dog, you must select which is best for him/her and you.
A word of caution: because the Afghan is a deep-chested dog with a high tuck of stomach, it is always a good idea to soak their meal in a bit of water a few minutes before feeding. This helps begin the breakdown of the food and lessens the change of bloat. Do not allow your dog to exercise vigorously before or immediately after eating. Allow at least one hour after eating before any type of vigorous exercise and do not let the dog drink large quantities of water. Ice water is a definite no-no, even on hot days. Remember these points and follow a plan that proves best for you and your friend. Remember that a pups needs are different from those of your adult dog.
Something that is very useful is a SNOOD. This is a tube that slips over the dogs' head when he/she eat and prevents the ears from dangling in the dinner bowl. This way your dog can grow those long feathered ears you've admired on other adult Afghan Hounds. A snood is easily made from the leg of a mans sock or if you're handy with a crochet hook you make a rectangle of double crochet and fold it in half to make the tube, sew together and presto, instant snood. You can also take a rectangular piece of material and stitch it across several times with elastic thread and then stitch it together. If you get your dog familiar with the snood from the start he/she will raise their head to help with the fitting of the snood prior to eating.
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