Dane Information

 

To Adopt Call Colleen (916) 652-6444

cleahy1955@yahoo.com

 

Adoption fee for all dogs is $350.00

 

Please Read Before You Consider Adoption...

 

Find a good Veterinarian that you can work with and review the information contained below. Your veterinarian can be you and your dog’s best friend.

 

DO NOT:

 

Do not feed any dog foods that say Hi-Pro, Max, Super etc… Danes and especially Danes under the age of two years should never have more than 24% protein and 10-13% fat content. Never feed any food that has Ethoxyquin or BHA/BHT.

 

Do not feed Great Danes puppy food. The high protein content can cause Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD), Panosteitis, Wobblers Syndrome or OCD.

 

Do not give Calcium supplements. Danes grow very fast and supplements to speed up this process can cause serious bone problems.

 

DO:

 

Do feed on an elevated surface. Great Danes should be fed on an elevated feeder of some sort. As they grow so should the height of the bench you feed them on; bring the height up gradually for a puppy. As an adult the height of their bowl should 14 to 16 inches off the ground. This is easier on the Danes shoulders neck and back, and helps to prevent gulping of air or difficulty swallowing when eating.

 

Do limit your dog’s activity at least one hour prior to feeding and two hours after feeding. Feed smaller meals twice a day; in the morning and in the evening and always have fresh water available.

Caution: If your Dane has gas after eating, check for bloat (see below). If he/she has consistent gas, change the food you are feeding, discontinue feeding meat, change to milder lamb and rice formula or feed smaller meals more often; of it does not go away, consult your veterinarian.

 

Do give vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) with your dogs’ meals; 500mg per meal. Start at 250 mg for a puppy. Also a good vitamin/mineral tablet is fine, as are Omega 3 tablets and Omega 6 oil.

 

 Recommended Dog Foods

Dry Foods

• Solid Gold

• Wysong

• Innova

• California Natural

• Natural Balance

• Blue

• Ultra Mix

• Evo

• Wellness

• Canidae

• Chicken Soup for the Pet Lovers Soul

• Premium Edge

  

Canned Foods

Feed the same brand canned food as you do dry. Do not give more than 1/3 of a 12 oz can a day.

You can also add boiled chicken or chopped beef or lean hamburger to dry food an alternative to canned food.

 

You can also mix a small amount of yogurt or cottage cheese.

 

Depending on your dog’s eating habit, many people free feed dry kibble in the morning and a “wet” meal in the evening.

 

Remember that dogs and cats need more food in the winter then they do in the summer. For adult Danes, start out with 3 cups in the morning and 3 cups at night. Cut back if the dog appears to gain too much weight, or increase if needed. You should be able to see a faint outline of the last rib on your dog’s ribcage. If you can’t he/she is too fat! Each dog is different and some adjustment in the amounts you feed will be necessary.

 

Treats

A few dog biscuits are usually much appreciated each day. Small beef-basted rawhide sticks that are ground up and formed are all right occasionally. Do not give rawhide bones. They are too hard to digest.

 

Bloat and Torsion

Bloat occurs in Great Danes when the Pylorc Valve at the end of the stomach closes and traps food, water, and air in the stomach. Gas forms and as it expands the stomach begins to press against organs and the heart, causing discomfort.

 

At this point the dog will start to pace up and down, or move typically around in circles, or may stand like a hobby horse with legs spread out. As the pain increases the back (over the loin) arches and the head goes down. The dog will start to salivate. Soon dry retching occurs or small amounts of fluid, food or foam are vomited. The dog’s eyes look distraught and fearful.

 

Put your hands at the back of the ribcage and press into the soft part of the stomach. It will feel as if there is a hard basketball inside and early on it will feel much harder than normal. Get your dog to a veterinarian right away because at this point you have a window of 20 to 30 minutes before serious shock sets in. If this occurs at night or on a week-end, call your nearest Emergency Clinic.