According to veterinarians, small dogs should not eat the same food that large dogs eat. By the way, it is worth deciding on the concept of "small". This means that the dog must be weighing from 2 to 5 kg. Still important indicators such as age and energy costs of your pet. Based on this, you need to properly compose a diet and choose the right food for dogs of small breeds.
The physiology of small dogs
The main representatives of miniature breeds include toy terriers, chihuahua, spitz, Yorkshire terriers. These dogs are extremely mobile, and therefore they have increased energy costs and accelerated metabolism. For example, the Yorkshire Terrier has a higher energy cost per kilogram of weight than a St. Bernard or a shepherd.
Small dogs grow faster from puppyhood than puppies of large breeds. Naturally, they quickly become sexually mature. So, you need quickly digestible food that gives the dog energy and nutrition. You should pay attention to what is written on the package, purchasing food for dogs of small breeds. If a small puppy is drawn, this does not mean that the food is for small breed. This food can be puppy for large dogs, and therefore not suitable for small ones.
Homemade food
Having a small breed of dogs at home , the owners forget that the dogs are still representatives of the wolf family, which means that they are recommended protein food. According to the recommendations of veterinarians, dry food should be present in the diet for small breeds of dogs along with beef, lean mutton, offal, milk and boiled eggs. Strongly contraindicated: pork, fatty trimmings, raw fish. Do not give dogs any kind of smoked meats and sausages, as well as raw eggs and cereals. A product such as potatoes and tomatoes containing oxalate damages the functioning of the food and genitourinary system. About chocolate and flour products, especially yeast dough, there can be no question. Cat food is also contraindicated in small breed dogs. Cat foods contain a lot of fats and proteins.
Finished feed
Do not be afraid to give dry food to your little pets. This food is balanced and contains all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the dog. So, in premium feeds for dogs of small breeds, a clear balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates is observed. By purchasing such food, you do not need to think about how much to feed the dog with food. The packaging indicates the norms taking into account age, weight and breed. Often, manufacturers put a measuring container in a package with dry food, for ease of dosing. When purchasing feed from different manufacturers, you need to carefully read what the norm is set for your dog. Different manufacturers may have different energy values for this food.
Rules for feeding finished food
The rules are very simple. This is the choice of special feeds for small breed dogs, tailored to their needs. Dry feeds are divided into age categories. It is necessary not to confuse them, and to buy food in exactly the category to which the dog belongs. This is food for puppies, juniors, adults and older dogs. Do not overfeed the dog, you must adhere to the norms indicated on the package.
After eating, do not arrange games with the dog, provoke it to activity, or take it for a walk. After eating, the dog should have rest so that the food is absorbed. It is advisable to regularly weigh the animal in order to understand if the dog is overfed. In any case, you need to communicate with a veterinarian who will give the necessary recommendations on the diet.
Types of dry feed
Dry feed companies usually rank dry feeds based on their composition, value and quality. Economy-class feeds do not include vitamins and consist of low-grade raw materials. The premium class feed also includes raw materials of not high quality, and its advantage over the economy class in more fats and proteins. The most valuable dry food is considered to be related to the super premium class, which includes natural meat, eggs and nutritional supplements.
Dry feed is divided into feed by age gradation, that is, from a puppy to an adult animal and veterinary diets. For example, “Hills” (the country is the producer of the USA and the Netherlands) belongs to premium dog food for small breeds. Hill's Science Plan is a series of dry feeds for the daily feeding of dogs. Creating this food, nutritionists used the latest scientific advances. A line of products is provided for the specific age of the dog. One of the criteria that the food is absorbed is a decrease in feces, an increased sense of saturation.
Brit Premium ("Brit Premium") is made in the Czech Republic. Dry feeds are available for feeding dogs of different ages. Dry food made by France Pro Plan ("Pro Plan") is also in the premium class and is a balanced diet for dogs.
Dry food diet
Hill's Science Plan Special Care - Animal feed with some health problems. About this food for dogs of small breeds the reviews of the owners are only positive. It’s good if the dog has no health problems, but if they arise for some reason, the above series restores the dog’s health, the owners of the dogs share. In this series there is food for dogs with skin problems and a sensitive stomach, diet food for the prevention of the oral cavity and teeth, a balanced diet for gaining excess weight.
Super Plan premium dry diet food includes Pro Plan.
Many owners of animals prone to allergies note that after 2 months of feeding the food for sensitive digestion, on the recommendation of a veterinarian, the pets recover. Veterinarians recommend giving frozen and cooked beef meat in the morning, and after 7-8 hours, give dry food.