Each dog is an individual and has different needs. When it comes to diet, it depends on its health condition or physically demanding activities. However, we can generalize these needs to a certain degree according to a breed, age and mainly the size of a dog.
Each dog is an individual and has different needs. When it comes to diet, it depends on its health condition or physically demanding activities. However, we can generalize these needs to a certain degree according to a breed, age and mainly the size of a dog.
It’s not only about mini breeds having little stomach and therefore needing smaller pieces of dry food. Our mini pets are also much closer to the ground than other dogs or than we, as people, are. Therefore, they get into contact with a much greater concentration of dust and various harmful substances. You probably can imagine that his environment is a big stressor and a burden to the immune system. Besides breathing, also hair and skin suffer from it. Do not also forget about the fact that small dogs need more energy to keep up our pace.
And because, as I tend to repeat again and again, the best protection is prevention, this needs to be taken into account when choosing the right food. Since small dog breeds have to cope with more external influences which weaken their organism, we shouldn’t expose them to unnecessary burden in the form of cereals in food which are difficult to digest. It is probably not necessary to emphasize that they have considerably shorter digestive tract and therefore also faster digestion. It is another reason why they need to have food which is easily digestible. Some of the highly nutritious but easily digestible proteins are salmon, tuna, lamb and rabbit. Its benefit is also the fact they are hypoallergenic.
Remember that a key to a healthy, long life and good resilience is a healthy digestion and healthy skin. Food should therefore contain supplements to support cellular and microbial immune system such as sea-buckthorn, probiotics, inulin, vitamin C or omega 3 fat acids. Due to their closeness to ground, small breeds more often suffer from urinary tract diseases, mainly in winter. Cranberries or blueberries are the best to treat these diseases and for prevention and they also have good influence on the health of dogs’ hearts.
Small dogs also often have problems with teeth. There are herbs for their health as well and they can be included in quality food. For healthy gums and teeth, look for the already-mentioned sea-buckthorn, clove or sage.
As well as for other breeds, you shouldn’t forget about the different needs of mini breeds in various stages of their lives. A puppy, an adult dog and a dog senior will need different composition. Also, the needs of long haired and short haired mini dogs will be different. If you invest your efforts and choose perfect food for your dog, don’t forget about treats! They should also have different composition, not only a different size.
What is your dog’s diet? For example, have you noticed an improvement in its health condition when you started to give it special food for small breeds?
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