How and what to feed the jack russell terrier?

In order for the dog to be healthy and active, it is worth choosing the right food for it. If we consider the Jack Russell Terrier, then it is worth considering its temperament, a tendency to allergic manifestations, as well as to diseases. How and what to feed the representatives of this breed of dogs, and which products it is better to refuse, we will tell in this article.

Jack Russell Terrier is a rather popular breed of dogs, because it does not require specific care or special conditions of detention, but the choice of food for it should be taken with all responsibility to make your pet feel good. So, it is worth paying attention to the following factors that should be considered when choosing a diet:

• balance;
• high quality;
• health status of the dog.

Quite often, owners of the Jack Russell Terrier cannot choose what is best for their pet - natural products or dry food. It is impossible to single out one thing. But you should pay attention that when choosing natural nutrition, special attention should be paid to balanceso that the pet receives the necessary amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.

If you choose a balanced diet, then natural food can be called the best option. It is great for the normal development and growth of the dog. If your choice is focused on healthy, natural foods, then the following rules should be considered:

• pet feeding should be carried out at a certain time;
• depending on age, the number of meals changes - initially puppies eat up to 7 times a day, from about 6 months the puppy already switches to three meals a day, and after a year it is worth giving the dog food only twice a day;
• Jack Russell Terrier puppies are not prone to overeating, but you should stick to the "golden mean" so as not to feed them;
• for a puppy, the feeding rate per day should be from 10% of its weight, and for an adult dog - from 3-5% - so the food will be enough for the dog to be active;
• for puppies it is recommended to soften the food with a blender or rub on a grater, over time they will become accustomed to solid food.

It is necessary to feed the Jack Russell Terrier with such products:

• soups for example, beef broth, but non-greasy;
• meat should be combined with porridge, you can include barley, rice, buckwheat in the diet;
• Vegetable Salad, but any kind of spices and salt in them is categorically worth giving up;
• dairy products - sour cream, low fat cottage cheese;
• vegetables - cabbage, beets, carrots, zucchini;
• fruits - apples and pears.

It is strictly forbidden to feed a dog of any breed with salty, spicy, sweet, fatty, smoked or fried foods. Even a single case can lead to very serious consequences - contraindicated food will affect the functioning of the liver, stomach and intestines.

If natural food is chosen for feeding, then you should be prepared that the menu will have to be diversified, so your pet can get the maximum benefit.

An excellent substitute for natural food is dry food. Many people prefer ready-made dry food, because they do not need to be cooked, and their pets eat very well. If you do not want to think every day than to pamper your pet, then a ready-made feed is ideal. If you decide to feed Jack Russell Terrier with dry food, the following recommendations from experts should be taken into account.

• It is necessary to calculate the portion of food depending on the weight of your pet. Typically, the manufacturer already indicates on the packaging how many grams of feed the dog needs to be given, depending on its size.
• The dog also needs natural food. Of course, dry food is balanced, but the animal needs vegetables and fruits, so veterinarians advise alternating dry food with natural food, and also do not forget about liquid food.
• It is forbidden to give both natural and dry food, since mixing them only will harm the dog.
• When choosing dry food, it is worth considering the age and health of the dog. For example, it is more convenient for puppies to gnaw large granules, while allergic dogs need special options if they have a sensitive digestive tract.
• The dog should always have access to clean water so that it can quench its thirst at any time.
• You should not buy low-quality feeds, which are sold by weight, since they contain quite a lot of salt, and soy is also a substitute for meat. Such nutrition will negatively affect the condition of the musculoskeletal system and the genitourinary system of the animal.
• It is forbidden to often replace one feed with another. Replacement of the manufacturer should occur only as necessary, for example, if the dog has an allergy or completely refuses to feed.
• Since today a wide range of products from various manufacturers is presented to the buyer’s choice, one should focus on the food recommended by the breeder or club. The best are premium and super premium feeds like Royal Canin or Acana.

It is imperative that all owners of the Jack Russell Terrier breed need to familiarize themselves with the following list of products prohibited for dogs:

• sausage, sausages and pork lead to diseases of the pancreas;
• fried, salted and smoked products negatively affect the state of the blood;
• grapes and raisins can overload the kidneys;
• tubular bones can harm the stomach;
• chocolate has a bad effect on the functioning of the heart and the nervous system as a whole, it can provoke a heart attack, internal bleeding and even an attack of epilepsy;
• onions can cause anemia;
• strawberries, citrus fruits and millet are strong allergens, so they should be discarded;
• corn, legumes, garlic, mushrooms, broccoli, potatoes and raw eggs lead to dry skin, dull hair, anemia and overload of the gastrointestinal tract;
• freshwater fish contains a large number of small bones that can damage the larynx and stomach.

Only a properly selected menu guarantees the normal development of puppies. It is very important to consider age categories, because nutrition for puppies of different ages is very different. It is necessary to start compiling a diet for a puppy of Jack Russell Terrier from 1.5 months of age. It is during this period that the puppy begins to wean from the mother’s milk.

Experienced veterinarians note that every 2-3 months it is necessary to enrich the puppy's menu by introducing new products. Already at half a year you can make a choice in favor of natural food or ready-made food.

So, let's look at how a puppy eats at different ages.

The Jack Russell Terrier puppy is gaining weight pretty quickly. During this period, he needs a large amount of nutritious food, since all important tissues are formed. Food should contain the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals. The puppy should be fed in small portions, but often. On average, one serving should be up to about 10% of the dog’s weight.

A puppy in 2-3 months should be fed mainly beef, veal, although chicken is not excluded. The menu should include foods such as carrots, beets, buckwheat, rice and eggs. Usually give cereals with meat and vegetables. For a two-month-old puppy, food should be given in a grated form, while it can be supplemented with 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil. A boiled egg can be given to a dog only 3 times a week.

Of the fruits, you can give a quarter of the apple every few days, as well as combine it with carrots and a small amount of sour cream. It should be quite careful with fermented milk products. The portion should be increased gradually, while starting with just one teaspoon.

During this period, the growth of the body, as well as organs, continues rapidly. In this period, wool is already forming. It is necessary to select an enhanced menu. Dog food should be given the same as before, but the number of servings should already be reduced, and the amount of food should be increased.

You should adhere to the same proportion of a single meal in 1/10 of the dog's weight. Although everything is selected individually. If the dog cannot eat a portion that has about 10% of the total weight of the dog, then it is worth reducing it.

From the age of 6 months, puppy growth begins to gradually slow down. During this period, it is worth reducing both the calorie content of the food and its quantity. This can be done easily thanks to the volume of cereals. The meat should come in the right amount, because during this period the bones get stronger, and the muscles increase. Already from 9 months in the puppy's menu, you can include bones and a scar that do not require heat treatment.

If the breeder immediately accustomed Jack Russell Terrier puppies to dry food, then you should adhere to this direction.But if desired, the diet can be gradually changed, it will take no more than two weeks. If you change the dog’s menu dramatically, this will lead to a serious upset. It is worth purchasing the same feed initially as the breeder. Usually on the packaging there is a designation “Puppy” or “Junior”, which are most adapted to the needs of a growing puppy.

Dry food should be softened before feeding.. For a gradual transition to natural food on the fifth day, the addition of moist canned meat is allowed. Further, it is still worth waiting 2 days to introduce 1 teaspoon of meat broth, cooked and minced chicken or beef. Over the next week, gradually add cereals, vegetables and fruits to the puppy's menu.

An adult dog already eats only 2 times a day. The diet should be selected correctly, then the Jack Russell Terrier will be able to develop normally. It is necessary to adhere to a certain portion, do not overfeed the dog. If you feed your dog dry food, then the number of servings is indicated on the package. In the case of natural food, it is worthwhile to adhere that 75% was allocated to meat products and only 25% was represented by plant foods.

The daily diet of the Jack Russell Terrier should include the following products:

• meat or fish - 550 g;
• dairy products - 50 g;
• porridge - 300-350 g.

After 7 years, the dog should consume 80% protein food, but the amount of cereals and milk should be reduced.

The nutrition of the adult jack russell terrier should also be balanced. If you feed your pet "natural", it is worth combining meat with porridge, while also adding vegetables. 2-3 times a week, lean beef or chicken should be given, occasionally offal.

Castrated and sterilized dogs should be kept on a special diet. When compiling a diet, you must adhere to the following rules:

• the animal must not be overfed to avoid obesity;
• the easiest option is to buy a special ready-made feed intended for sterilized dogs;
• feed should be of good quality, since treating a dog will cost you more if you feed it with cheap feed;
• It is necessary to ensure the physical activity of the dog.