Choosing the best food for small dogs is one of the main factors that dog owners look for because it is basically one of the issues that work on healthy growth and an active life for them, because the right food plays a pivotal role in shaping the health of dogs from strengthening the immune system to developing bones and muscles.
Proper nutrition plays a vital role in determining the path of growth and health for these pets, so choosing the right food for them is not just a random decision but a commitment to care and love for them, which aims to provide small dogs with all the nutritional components they need to achieve optimal growth and enjoy a life full of activity and vitality.
Therefore, through this article from teketrek, we will discuss what to look for in small dog food in addition to the types of dog food, and we will also provide you with some famous brands specialized in small dog food and some tips on how to feed them, important and interesting topics that all small dog owners want to know, stay with us to be among those people who are familiar with all this information.
What to look for in puppy food:
There are many important and necessary points that must be considered when choosing the ideal food for your puppy in order to provide him with the appropriate nutrition, so you should first pay attention to the following:
- Basic ingredients: The basic ingredients play a major role in the health of your puppy, as the food should include a high percentage of proteins, because they are important elements that work to grow and develop muscles, in addition to that, healthy fats are necessary to provide energy and support the functions of vital organs, not to mention vitamins that help strengthen the immune system and improve the general health of the puppy.
- Caloric ratio: The calorie ratio plays an important and effective role in maintaining a healthy weight for the puppy, as the puppy needs a certain amount of calories that vary according to the size and general activity of the puppy, so we recommend visiting the veterinarian to get accurate instructions on the appropriate amount of calories for him.
Types of dog food:
Puppy breeders provide food for them, as there are 3 types of food, each of which has advantages and disadvantages, as follows:
Dry food:
Advantages:
- It is easy to store and transport, which makes it suitable for travel.
- It has a relatively long shelf life.
- It helps clean teeth thanks to its crunchy texture.
- It is often less expensive than wet food.
Disadvantages:
- It is one of the less appetizing foods for dogs.
- It contains a lower percentage of water compared to wet food, which may require increasing the amount of water that dogs drink.
Wet food:
Advantages:
- It contains a high percentage of water, which helps to hydrate dogs.
- It is often more appetizing and flavorful for dogs.
- It is an ideal choice for dogs with dental or oral problems.
- Disadvantages:
- It is one of the more expensive foods compared to dry food.
- It requires storing it in the refrigerator after opening.
- It has a shorter shelf life after opening the package.
Home-cooked food:
When thinking about preparing food for your puppy at home, then you must consider the correct nutritional balance, as the food should contain all of the following:
- Proteins such as beef, chicken or fish.
- Carbohydrates found in brown rice or sweet potatoes.
- Vitamins and minerals found in vegetables and fruits.
- Healthy fats, which include healthy oils such as olive oil or fish oil.
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Recommended brands for feeding small dogs:
There are many brands that provide meals for small dogs, but there are a few that are famous worldwide due to the availability of nutritional values that small dogs need, and among the most famous of these types are the following:
- Royal Canin: It offers a variety of options for all types of dogs, including small dogs, and focuses on providing balanced and specialized nutrition.
- Taste of the Wild: This type provides natural and grain-free food, which makes it an ideal choice for small dogs.
- Health Pet Food (Hill’s Science Diet): It offers options designed for small dogs and contains balanced nutritional ingredients.
- Blue Buffalo: It offers organic food completely free of manufactured amino acids.
- Innova: It offers a variety of options for small and large dogs, and focuses on providing the necessary energy and nutrients they need.
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Additional tips for feeding small dogs:
Small dogs require more care than other dogs due to their urgent needs for food, water, vitamins, appropriate temperature, etc., so we will provide you with some of these tips that work to protect the puppy from all obstacles that may affect it, which are as follows:
- The appropriate amount of food according to age and weight:
- Small puppies (less than 8 weeks) need frequent feeding every 2-3 hours through their own food or puppy milk substitute.
- From 8 weeks to 3 months they need 4 times a day, as the size of the meal depends on the weight of the puppy and the type of food provided.
- From 3-6 months: The number of meals should be reduced to 3 times a day, and the size of the meals gradually increases.
- From 6-12 months they should be fed only twice, taking into account that the size of the meal is proportional to the weight and activity of the puppy.
The importance of water in addition to food:
Water is essential to keep dogs hydrated, especially when they eat dry food, so clean and fresh water should be provided throughout the day.
Water helps in the digestion process and good absorption of nutrients.
Preventing dehydration, as they are more susceptible to dehydration, so it is necessary to constantly monitor the amount of water they drink.
In conclusion, we find that choosing the best food for small dogs is an important issue that requires a lot of care and attention, because the role of the Proper nutrition in a dog’s life, as good and balanced food enhances its immunity, stimulates its growth, and improves its general health and daily activity, but despite the many options available, each dog is unique and has its own needs, so we invite you, dear breeder, to try different types and brands of food until you find what suits your puppy perfectly and ensures the best start in his life.
