If you’re a pet owner, you may know how crucial it is to give your dog the best food. Food that meets all of his nutrition requirements keeps them happy and healthy.
Although each dog has different nutrition and food requirements, there are still a few key points; that can help you figure out what works best for you. We carefully curated this article to present to you some essential tips for picking the best dog food for your small dogs..
When is a Dog Fully Grown?
A mature dog weighing around 12 pounds and a fully grown dog who weighs below 30 pounds is considered small breed dog. All dogs have unique needs, but if you own a small dog, they can benefit from food for a small dog.
However, if you have a Golden doodle, you might be confused about whether your puppy is small. Golden doodle grows fast within a year and can reach full size in a year, compared to other dogs that take up to 18 months or more. This article here; will help you know if yours is a full-grown Goldendoodle.
Knowing the appropriate diet for your dog is crucial, especially when they are still a puppy since this is the time of development. Most pups take about two years to get to their full size; meanwhile, they need a proper and nutrients rich diet to stay healthy.
We will discuss some easy tips to help you choose the best food for your dog. So, read carefully and start noting down!
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Small Dogs and Nutrient-Rich Food
Small dogs have a little tummy, but that doesn’t mean their requirements are less than an adult dog. Small dogs have higher metabolic rates meaning they require food that is dense in nutrition to keep them active.
Consider giving them a multi-portion meal. Dividing their meals from two to three times a day will provide the energy they need to stay active. Over time, you can gradually increase the portion size and decrease the number of meals to two again.
But make one thing sure. Not to give the dog food that YOU THINK is the right amount. You can turn to a portion size chart or the back of the package to know the exact amount your dogs must have to stay healthy. One pound may be nothing for humans, but for dogs, an increase in even a pound weight can lead to stress on their bones and organs or cause other medical conditions.
Look for an All-Pure Diet
Most pet owners prefer giving their dogs homemade food, table scraps, or treats. While this will strengthen the bond between the owner and the pet, it’s also a great way to add-up pounds on your dog.
Besides, homemade foods mostly lack essential nutrients or are not in the right portions. Therefore, we suggest consulting with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist to get a recipe that makes a nutrition-filled diet.
Otherwise, get pet food from a store but don’t forget to read the label. Do not trust a broadly written ‘All-Pure’; check the ingredients yourself. Assess if they have natural and whole foods, no unnecessary preservatives or sugar, and have undergone AAFCO feeding trials.
Article recommendation: WeLoveDoodles included a very informational article on their site. It shares information about the ingredients harmful to dogs in addition to avoiding certain dog food brands.
Changing Dog Food Brand:
Changing the food brands more often will affect your dog’s health and makes it tricky to avoid GI issues. Once your dog makes it a habit of eating one kind of food, you can go days without changing a dog brand.
Also, each food brand has a unique recipe with different ingredients; changing a brand frequently will make your dog hesitant to eat the required amount. With a single brand, you can determine the amount of nutrition your dog needs and increase portion size accordingly.
Be Mindful of the Treats You give to your small dog:
Everyone who gets a puppy includes tons of treats. Treat is a great source to help while training, but they often cause unnecessary weight gain to your healthy pups.
Treat is sometimes made of high calories and results in overfeeding your dog. Some treats that are healthy to consider include;
- Bananas
- Cooked sweet potatoes
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
- Green peas and
- Blueberries
Be mindful when you grab a pack of treats for your dog. Check if they are as high-quality as the food you provide to your healthy dog.
How Much Food Does Your Small Dog Needs?
The most asked question is; how much do I need to feed my dog? We do not want to keep our pups hungry, but overfeeding is also not an option.
Similarly, if you already have a pet, a slight weight gain or weight loss can leave you pondering the same question.
A dog’s feed depends on many factors, including; its breed, weight, and lifestyle. An article by Rover will guide you on how much a dog requires according to its nutritional needs. But if your dog has leftovers in its bowl, you can adjust the portions as needed.
Get your Vet Onboard for Finding the best dog food for your small Dog
The day you get a puppy, you will most likely go to a vet for their vaccinations. It is the right time to ask for their guidance in your dog’s diet. They are probably more knowledgeable about the requirements and best diet specifically for your dog breed.
Do as they tell you to; if your dog has a dietary condition, they will also alert you about the foods or ingredients to avoid. They will analyze the right amount of carbs, proteins, and fats necessary and hand you the perfect recipe. If you follow a professional’s advice from day one, there is less risk of getting an ill-stomach dog.
Last Words
The first few days with your pup will be a roller coaster diet. They will try new diets, so you’re not sure what works best for them. If you’re confused, you can keep reading related articles, videos, and posts from a social media group specifically for your dog breed. If this doesn’t help, you can book another appointment with your vet to clear up any further confusion.
The brand of food, the portion size, and the perfect treat; can give your dog a healthy life if in the right amount. With your dog’s development and the changes involved, it is important to keep researching the changes in diet and get your vet’s approval on them too.
