Detailed Explanation of Practical Technical Points for Meat Dog Farming

1. Feed must be diversified. Dogs require many nutrients, and a single type of feed is unbalanced and incomplete. Therefore, multiple feeds must be combined with one another to meet the needs of meat dog growth and development.

2. Prepare feed reasonably. Different preparation methods should be adopted according to different feeds. Root tubers, stem tubers and green feed should be washed clean and cut fine. Soybeans and feeds rich in carbohydrates should be cooked before feeding.

3. “Four fixed” feeding. Feeding should be fixed in time, quantity, temperature and quality. Feeding at fixed times can help dogs form conditioned reflexes and is conducive to improving feed utilization. Generally, feed twice a day, and puppies can be fed 1-2 additional times per day. Fixed quantity means providing a certain amount of feed according to the dog's age and growth stage, not too much or too little; generally, feeding until about 80-90% full is sufficient. Fixed temperature means adjusting the temperature of feed and drinking water according to different seasons, achieving warmth in winter, coolness in summer, and warmth in spring and autumn. Fixed quality means ensuring feed quality; rotten and spoiled food must not be fed.

4. Change feed gradually. Feed changes should be increased or decreased gradually, and cannot be completely replaced all at once, otherwise indigestion is likely to occur.

5. Pay attention to drinking water. When drinking, attention should be paid to water quality, water temperature, water quantity and timing. Drinking water should be clean and free of harmful substances, pathogenic microorganisms, etc. Drinking water quantity varies with the season; in summer, drinking water quantity is greatest, and generally it should not be interrupted. Water temperature should be suitable: drink cool water in summer, and warm water in winter, late autumn and early spring. Drinking time should be chosen after eating.

6. Feeding utensils should be dedicated. Each dog or several dogs should use one feeding utensil, which must not be changed, and after use it should be cleaned and disinfected; generally disinfect once a week.

7. Feeding taboos. First, avoid strenuous activity before feeding; second, avoid gnawing chicken bones, pig bones, fish spines and fish bones; third, avoid eating cuttlefish, octopus, crabs, chili peppers, pepper, sugar cubes, etc.; fourth, avoid feeding raw meat; fifth, avoid boiling vegetables and meat together for feeding.

8. Pay attention to dog kennel hygiene. The dog kennel should be cleaned 1-2 times a day, feces and garbage should be removed promptly, bedding straw should be changed frequently, and cleanliness and dryness should be maintained. At the same time, regular disinfection is also required. Commonly used disinfectants include 3%-5% Lysol, 10%-20% bleaching powder emulsion, 0.3%-0.5% peracetic acid, etc.

9. Keep the dog kennel quiet. Dogs have particularly sensitive hearing, and abnormal sounds can cause unease in dogs, especially during pregnancy, delivery, lactation and mating, when the impact is even greater.

10. Appropriate exercise. Appropriate exercise can improve the mating ability of stud dogs and the reproductive capacity of breeding bitches, and promote the growth and development of puppies and reserve dogs. Meat dogs in the later growth stage should have their amount of exercise appropriately reduced to increase growth speed.

11. Prevent heatstroke and cold. The dog kennel should be ventilated and let in light. In summer, pay attention to preventing heatstroke; trees can be planted around the dog kennel, grape trellises can be set up, and pumpkins and loofahs can be grown. In winter, pay attention to preventing cold and keeping warm. The standard temperature inside the dog kennel is 13-15 degrees C in winter and 21-24 degrees C in summer, and the humidity inside the dog kennel should be kept at 50%-60%.