Feed for dogs of small breeds: types and selection criteria

The body, including digestion, of decorative dogs is significantly different from the body of large breed dogs. In this regard, it will be a big mistake to choose the same feed for small breed pets as for larger ones. Natural nutrition is also not the best option for pocket dogs. There is a logical conclusion - you need to learn how to select food for a dog of small breed, to understand the nuances of the composition and quality criteria.

Small breed dogs require a special approach to feed selection. This is due to the peculiarities of their structure and nervous system. “Pocket” pets genetically have a more mobile nervous system, mild excitability and a low degree of balance of nervous processes. As a result, small dogs have approximately the same character - they are easily excited, move a lot and adore outdoor games that take a lot of energy. From this we conclude that such dogs spend a tremendous amount of energy, which requires timely replenishment with quality nutrition.

With insufficient nutrition, deficiency of certain components, the protective function of the skin and the immune system of the animal also suffer. Dogs of small breeds appear dry and itchy, dandruff. If you do not immediately take measures to eliminate them, hair loss in this area is possible. In addition, the animal will comb the places of itching, which will lead to a violation of the integrity of the skin, the risk of infection.

Despite physical activity and playfulness, small dogs are still very prone to overeating. Moreover, they have a rather weak digestion. Obesity, in turn, leads to negative changes in the condition of the skin, heart disease.

Thus, due to the greater mobility of small dogs, for each kilogram of weight, they should receive a little more calories to maintain their energy. Moreover, due to the tendency to obesity, It is important to monitor the balance of nutrition and not increase the calorie content of food due to the excessive content of carbohydrates or fats.

To preserve the energy of the pet, the feed should contain high-quality and easily digestible protein - turkey, rabbit, beef and lamb are also suitable. But chicken meat often provokes allergies, pork is too fat, and lamb is heavy. Acceptable option - assorted meat from allowed types of meat.

For puppies, you should choose special types of food, more nutritious. For older individuals with lower locomotor activity, food with a lower protein and carbohydrate content is required.

Depending on the characteristics of the composition and nutritional value, all existing types of feed can be divided into the following subgroups.

To date, they are considered the best in composition. Manufacturers use high-quality animal protein (meat or fish). There are no flavors, salt, flavor enhancers in the feed. Instead of the grain component - dried vegetables, fruits, herbs. In some lines, rice may be present, usually such products are purchased for dogs with weight loss.

Due to the balanced composition and careful selection of ingredients for feed, the holistic high nutrition, balance, they practically do not cause allergies and indigestion. This is very important, because dogs of small breeds are more prone to similar troubles.

For many, holivics are too expensive, in which case you can recommend the option of super-premium. Before the advent of holistic (and this is 2013-2014), these varieties were considered the best. They also differ in quality composition, but at a slightly lower cost. Such feeds contain almost no flavors and preservatives, and if they are found in the composition, then in most cases they are of natural origin.

Premium feeds are considered suitable for unassuming pets, however, exhibition and breeding individuals, as a rule, are not fed with such a product. Of course, it’s all a matter of composition.

Premium feeds have an insufficient amount of animal protein, which immediately affects the growth and development of the pet, the beauty of its coat. Deficiency of animal protein is "covered" with protein of plant origin. Moreover, it is used cheap and allergy-provoking raw materials (soybeans, corn).

Protein quality also leaves much to be desired, since in addition to meat (chicken, turkey, beef, pork), producers often add fat, skin, bone meal. There are hardly any vegetables and fruits found in premium feeds, and the vitamin complex is very primitive. Among the advantages are accessibility, including price, a wide selection.

Economy-class feed is easy to find on the shelves of grocery stores and mass markets.However, a loving owner should remember that it is better to purchase pet food in a specialized store. The advantage of economical feed - they are ubiquitous and have a low cost. On this, perhaps, the advantages of the product end.

The content of animal protein is minimal and it is usually represented by chicken, various wastes of meat production: offal, skin, bone meal and chopped feathers. To replenish the required amount of feed, they resort to additives in the form of corn, wheat, soy. “Mask” this substance for a decent feed helps stabilizers, dyes and flavorings. Vitamins and mineral supplements are generally absent.

Premium feeds, and especially economy-class options, cannot be called balanced; they contain the minimum amount of ingredients that will give the animal a sense of fullness. It is not surprising that the dog remains half-starved or has to be fed constantly. It turns out that from the point of view of the economy of feed consumption, more expensive varieties win.

Holostics are considered the best food. Their producers adhere to the principles - to make feed from such raw materials that even a person can eat if desired. Invariably the rating of feeds of this class is led by the following brands.

Holistic from the UK, considered one of the best in the domestic market. A feature of the product is its hypoallergenicity. - chicken, corn, wheat, soy are not used in feed at all. Instead of cereals, put dried vegetables, fruits, herbs.

Belgian food, often enough recommended by specialists for feeding dogs of small breeds, prone to allergic reactions and digestive problems. The food is hypoallergenic, without chicken and wheat in the composition.

The content of meat protein in the composition is approved by a caring host (60% of the composition), but the amount of fat is slightly higher than normal. It can be concluded that food is suitable for active dogs. In elderly and inactive pets, regular consumption of such food can provoke obesity.

Canadian holistic, which boasts a balanced ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. This makes the food suitable for obese and sedentary dogs.

The vitamin and mineral composition also inspires respect - it contains iodine, folic acid, biotin, Omega3, vitamin D, which are so necessary for the health and beauty of a four-friend.

Food from the American manufacturer. The line includes various product options for dogs of different breeds and ages. Although the separation of feed depending on the breed of the dog, the veterinarians consider nothing more than a marketing ploy - the composition of such products is almost the same. The manufacturer also produces hypoallergenic varieties of feed with one type of animal protein in the composition.

A distinctive feature - high-quality cleansing of the dog’s teeth from tartar. This is made possible thanks to the granules of a special shape and sodium hexametaphosphate in the composition.

Overall, Eukanuba demonstrates good quality at an affordable price. However, many experienced breeders note that feed quality has deteriorated markedly after the brand changed ownership.

French brand feed (also available in domestic factories). It is characterized by a fairly affordable price, but it pleases with high quality. It is fair to say that experts give conflicting reviews to feed. Some talk about its balance, while others note the presence of unwanted wheat, corn and soy in the composition.

Nevertheless, experts agree that the treatment line of feeds from this manufacturer deserves attention. It contains products that are not used by other companies. For example, the nutrients needed for anorexia, stress. However, there are more familiar treatment mixtures - for the treatment of the genitourinary system, heart failure, and obesity.

Czech food, one of the most affordable super-premium products. In spite of this, quality composition - natural meat and fish, no bone meal and cheap offal. Some flavors have traces of corn, but they are minimal.

The advantage of the compositions is the presence of dried vegetables and herbs instead of cereals. High lycopene content is required for the functioning of the animal’s heart. For pets with weak immunity and problems, you can choose a composition with selenium. All types of feed enriched with a vitamin and mineral complex present in the composition in the form of chelates, which ensures their best absorption.

Among the premium feeds, a lot of positive feedback has the feed of the American brand (although production is being conducted in Russia) Pro Plan. Wide product line and affordable cost - these are the obvious advantages of the product. The main ingredient is lamb, beef or salmon, there are rulers with turkey and chicken.

The source of carbohydrates can hardly be called a quality one (corn and wheat), “animal fat” is indicated as fat, but it has not been deciphered what this component consists of. In general, the composition for the feed of this brand is not bad. According to the owners, pets are happy to eat food, allergic reactions and stool disorders are rare.

When choosing treats for miniature dogs, you should first focus on the composition and nutritional values. A complete feed of at least one third should consist of animal proteins. They should come first in the list of ingredients, and there must be a specific indication of what type of animal protein is used (for example, rabbit meat, beef).

The next largest in the composition - plant component. Not bad if it is represented by rice, wheat or oatmeal, bran. It is much worse if it is corn, soy. High-quality feed necessarily contains dried vegetables, fruits and berries (for example, cranberries). The presence of dried herbs and ingredients like wheat germ, flaxseed, alfalfa usually indicates a high quality composition.

A small presence of preservatives in the form of tocopherol or other natural preservatives is acceptable, which can increase the shelf life of the feed. However, a large number of synthetic additives (preservatives, flavor enhancers, flavors) should alert the caring owner. Firstly, they are harmful to the dog’s body. Secondly, it is often addictive, which makes it difficult to transfer a pet to a different brand of food.

The following ingredients should not be present in good feed:

• meat offal in the form of processed bones, skins, beaks, feathers;
• flour and bone meal, which are usually added for the amount of feed, however, they have no nutritional value and often become an allergen;
• fishmeal and offal - often used in economy class products, where fish heads, bones, scales are added;
• dry animal liver powder is a seemingly acceptable product in the diet, however, the manufacturer does not report to anyone on the quality and consistency of this ingredient: which animal liver was used, whether the animal had any diseases and died.

Manufacturers usually indicate the ratio of ingredients, but if there is no such information, you should focus on the design of the composition. In the first place is indicated the ingredient, the content of which in the product is maximum. Further, the components are arranged in descending order. If in the first place herbal components are indicated - this is an occasion to refuse to purchase.

Make sure that the feed has not expired. On the package must be indicated the manufacturer, its legal address, website address, phone numbers of the company. It is not recommended to purchase brand feed, which also produces products for people. It is highly likely that they use food waste to make food for dogs.

It should be remembered about the structural features of the jaw of dogs. These animals swallow a piece completely or break off a smaller piece to completely swallow it. As a rule, pellets of dry feed for decorative breeds are smaller. Small granules are primarily required for dogs with a flattened shape of the muzzle, because they have their own characteristics of the jaw system.

Paste consistency feed is required for small puppies and older individuals. Sometimes it can be given to adult dogs as a delicacy. Suitable food as an encouragement for finicky animals. However, you can’t “plant” a pet on him. Due to the peculiarities of the nervous system, as well as for the proper development of the jaws, normal digestion, the dog must nibble and eat solid food.

It is important to choose the right food for each stage of a puppy's life. In principle, you can enter the finished feed already from the first feeding, using special starters (products for puppies 2-3 months) or feed for a nursing female.

It is important to follow the instructions exactly when measuring the feed rate. If we are talking about a product for dogs of a certain age, then you need to find the age appropriate for your dog in the appropriate box and correlate it with the required amount of feed. The feed rate of an adult dog is correlated with the normal, and not the real weight of the dog.

Usually, The package contains the required daily allowance. It must be evenly distributed by the number of meals throughout the day. Depending on the age, the dog should be fed from 8 (puppies) to 2 (adults) once a day. It is important to always feed the dog at about the same time.

If the dog has not finished eating, the food should not remain all day in a bowl. 20 minutes after the dog refuses to eat, the bowl should be removed. The dog should be freely available during the day pure water. It is recommended to change it twice a day.

See how to choose the right food for dogs in the video below.