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?
Although I sometimes temporarily care of some brown rats, I still consider myself to be a beginner in brown rat keeping. In the beginning of this year, a white lab brown rat ended up in my temporary care. I noticed that Běluše (that’s how I called her...
It sits with great difficulties. It also looks like it is very painful. It seems that any contact of the tail and ground causes great pain. As well as any touch when I try to find out what’s wrong with its tail. We came back from swimming where our dog...
Summer fun begins now. And I can’t imagine a summer without our activities together with my dog. What about you? Plan where you and your doggie could spend time before the temperatures are scorching and not a single branch moves on trees and we all...
Some dogs are already born with sensitive digestion, at some it may occur later in life. Or an allergy for a component of the food they used to like and we considered as suitable may occur. For such cases, meat cans can be a great supplement of normal...
If you decide to head to the streets of your city during a hot summer day, remember that pavements you will be walking on are much warmer that the air. In general, I try to go out with my dog during hot summer days as least as possible but if we go...
That brown rats are social rodents and love and look for the closeness of not only other brown rats but also their owners is a well-known fact. They feel lonely and sad without any interaction
Weekend or holiday is here and you are thinking about what to pack? You definitely shouldn’t forget your first-aid kit. And also the one for your dog! Properly equipped first-aid kit is a must. If you are struggling with deciding what should be...
Our personal experience is what influences us most in our opinions. But if we don’t have it or can’t get it at least from a friend or family member, it is more difficult for us to imagine how living with a giant furry friend looks like. And if it comes...
The best option for living of a small rodent are big aquariums, plastic boxes or cages. And I don’t mean big as high but rather with as big area as possible. Hamsters are naturally running creatures and need enough space. Max has a space of the...
If you are going for your holiday by car, you may be considering bringing another passenger with you. Your dog can be a great companion, so you don´t want to leave it at home. However, your time off by the sea might hide various obstacles, starting...
Turkey, the homeland of angoras and Turkish Vans is almost cats’ paradise. Even though veterinary care is quite expensive here, also cats living outside are taken care of well. Even in large cities like Istanbul and Ankara you can encounter a lot of...
When I was a child, our dog changed my life. He taught me lifetime love for living beings but also responsibility, patience and caring for others. Scientist has found out those are not the only benefits the life with an animal has for children....
