Feed for sterilized and neutered dogs

How to choose food for sterilized dogs and why do pets after surgery require a special approach to catering? Should food for sterilized pets be different depending on their breed, age and size? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in this article.

After the operation, the caudate family members undergo strong hormonal changes, as a result of which the animal becomes prone to obesity. In this case, the nutrition of the pet should be balanced - he needs to receive a certain amount of calories, proteins, carbohydrates and fats, as well as a vitamin and mineral complex.

A change in the hormonal background also entails an increased likelihood of developing an allergy in the dog. It is also necessary to consider and strive to choose feeds where there are no strong allergens, including chicken, wheat, corn, soy.

This is especially common among representatives of large breeds - Labradors, Chow Chow. After surgery, they are more prone to arthritis, bone fractures, joint dysplasia.

The digestive system of the animal is also subjected to great stress. All breeds have an increased risk of developing pancreatic inflammation. Despite the fact that urolithiasis is more characteristic of sterilized cats, in dogs a similar ailment is also possible. The operation itself does not provoke the development of this disease, but in combination with a sedentary lifestyle and obesity it is.

During the first week after the intervention, the animal is given a small amount of food, the usual norm should be cut by about a third. The exact number of servings and feedings should be checked with your veterinarian.

At the 2nd week, during the recovery period, the dog's food should be nutritious, but simple. Super wet premium wet foods can be recommended. If the pet does not recognize wet food, you can give him the usual dry granules soaked in water. You need to feed your pet often, but in small portions. From 3-4 weeks, dry food can be introduced into the animal’s diet, gradually making them the basis of the menu.

The first month after the operation is not the time to change the brand of feed and even more so switch to a different type of food. An exception is an unexpected allergy to familiar products. But even during this period it is advisable to choose a hypoallergenic food of the usual brand (that is, do not completely change the product, but only change the lineup).

All types of feed are divided into dry and wet. Dry are granules that most dogs enjoy crunching with pleasure. Wet food can be of varying degrees of homogeneity - from mashed products to meat or fish pieces, filled with jelly.

An adult healthy dog ​​is best served dry food.. For the proper functioning of its nervous system, the development of the jaws and the cleansing of the teeth, the animal must gnaw something. To add variety to the usual diet allow wet foods, which can periodically pet your pet. It is important to select dry and wet feeds of the same brand.

For puppies, elderly and sick dogs, canned food is often recommended.

In terms of balance, feeds for sterilized dogs are divided into 4 groups.

The food of the highest class. According to manufacturers, raw materials for it can even be used in human nutrition. Up to 90% of the composition is animal protein. Usually it turkey, beef, lamb, rabbit, rarely - chicken. There are salmon feed lines.

The next ingredient is rice, buckwheat or barley. There are no carbohydrate feeds in which these components are absent. In the holistic must have vegetables, some growers also add berries (like cranberries), herbs. A vitamin-mineral complex is necessarily present in the feed.

The disadvantages of this product are the rather high cost, as well as the fact that it can not always be found in a regular pet store.

Super-premium feeds were considered the best before holists. The basis of the feed here is also meat. The presence (not more than 10%) of high quality offal (heart, liver, stomachs) is acceptable. As a plant component, rice, wheat, oats, and corn are usually used. Fats can be represented by vegetable oils, animal fat.

Feed is enriched with vitamins and minerals. The composition of the product is balanced, the feed has a good energy value. They are widely available, but their cost is above average.

This group of feeds is significantly inferior to premium products, but animal protein is still enough here. True, to obtain the required amount of meat ingredient offal, bone meal are added to the composition.

Often in such formulations there is a bias towards fatty components, but in general, the feed is quite nutritious, have a harmonious composition. Of the minuses - the presence of preservatives (however, only those permitted and within normal limits are used), flavorings.

The most undesirable variant of food, especially for sterilized pets. There is almost no animal protein in such a product. Most often it is bone meal, the remains of meat production, as well as plant components (wheat, soy, corn).

High in fat, moreover, it is animal fat. The presence of vegetables and vitamins, useful components and speech is not conducted.

Of the advantages, one can note the affordability, such food is easy to find not only on the shelves of the pet store, but also on the shelves of grocery hypermarkets. Another question is whether these “advantages” of attention When does eating an economy-class feed threaten a pet's health problems?

Consider the most popular types of feed, which are included in the rating of the best and recommended by veterinarians for sterilized dogs.

The food is characterized by a high level of protein and a reduced fat content.

The feed contains meat (on the shelves of stores you can find products based on chicken, turkey, rabbit, beefas well as cold cuts), herbal ingredients, oils and carotene. There is a vitamin and mineral complex.

The holistic of the highest quality is suitable for sterilized pets. There are options for small dog breeds. In addition to proteins and carbohydrates, the food contains easily digestible fish oil, chicory extract, as well as vitamins, taurine, lutein.

In the lineup of the manufacturer there is food for dogs with overweight, as well as for animals after sterilization. The composition also increased the amount of protein and fiber and the minimum percentage of fat. In addition, the product enriched with vitamins A, B, C and D, iodine, calcium, amino acids, phosphorus.

The brand line has a special product for sterilized animals. Aft increased amount of protein.

Fiber and a minimum fat content prevent indigestion, and amino acids, vitamins and minerals in the composition contribute to strengthening the immune system, bones and teeth of the animal.

Premium wet food with sliced ​​beef and ham in a clear, jelly-like broth. Suitable for adult dogs with normal physical activity, may be included in the daily diet. Of the benefits - the naturalness of the composition, the presence of vitamin and mineral supplements, natural preservatives (vitamin E).

This product should definitely be included in the list of food allowed for sterilized pets. Attention should be paid to low-calorie Acana Light & Fit product.

Fats are represented by celery and chicken fat. Like all high-quality feeds, this product contains vitamins and minerals.

When choosing food for a sterilized pet, you should focus on the composition of the product. In the first place among other ingredients should be animal protein. Moreover, the manufacturer must accurately indicate what type of meat is used - chicken, lamb, beef, etc.For castrated and sterilized dogs, undesirable chicken (it often causes allergies) and pork (this is too fatty type of meat).

Then the composition should mention carbohydrates and vegetables. Carbohydrates are usually represented by a plant component - ideally, this is rice and buckwheat. Not too useful corn, wheat. Do not buy a product with soy in the composition.

The dog’s body, especially after the operation, needs high-quality vitamin and mineral support. Of course, you can give her complexes separately, but calculating the required amount of additives is not easy. Moreover, you need to know how and with what to combine vitamins and minerals.

It is much easier and more efficient to choose feeds in which the necessary elements are present. First of all, it is magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, biotin. They strengthen the bones of the animal, provide growth and development, good vision, quality coat. Vitamins A, E, C and group B are also required. Animals with weak intestines are better off picking hypoallergenic types of feed enriched with probiotics.

However, after surgery, all of them should be easily digestible. The most preferred form is omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. They are obtained from sea fish, flaxseed, and some vegetable oils. Animal fats are too much strain on the body of a sterilized pet.

For dogs of small breeds, special feeds should be selected. These animals are usually characterized by mild excitability, energy and a tendency to obesity. The food should, firstly, provide the active animal with energy, and secondly, not cause obesity. In addition, in a special feed pellets are usually smaller, which corresponds to the size of the jaws of decorative pets.

In any case, food for sterilized dogs should be low in calories. This is due to the fact that their metabolism after surgery slows down by 10-15%, while the appetite is almost doubled.

The package must have a feeding schedule - the amount of daily food in accordance with the weight and age of the pet. This amount of food is divided by the number of feedings. For adult dogs, this is 2-3 meals.

The packaging must include the brand name, legal address and company contacts, as well as the expiration date of the product. You should not purchase feed from the manufacturer that produces products for people. There is a possibility that only scraps and residues of raw materials go to the product for dogs.

See your veterinarian’s advice on which food to buy best.