Puppy food: types, manufacturers and selection rules

Today, manufacturers of industrial dog food produce a separate line of their products for feeding puppies. Such a specialized series allows breeders to provide their animal with all the necessary vitamins and trace elements for health and growth. However, the choice of such feed requires consideration of some nuances.

The following products are referred to industrial feed for growing up dogs:

• dry food;
• frozen minced meat and fish;
• canned food (mashed potatoes, jellies, pastes, etc.).

Due to the introduction in the process of manufacturing products for feeding dogs of modern technology, manufacturers produce a product with a balanced chemical composition. Thus, the owners of young dogs will provide their pet with food, which will be taken into account in advance the norms of essential proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, fiber and vitamins.

Exists generally accepted classification of products intended for puppy feeding. Today feed is divided into the following categories.

The best option in the ranking, produced today. The manufacturer for the manufacture of feed of this group uses only natural ingredients of high quality. The composition of the concentrate is developed with the direct participation of nutritionists, which also has a positive effect on feed.

In addition to natural ingredients, the manufacturer includes fortified supplements, important trace elements for the development of a growing dog body. Therefore, in contrast to the usual diet, puppies that use industrial feed from the group of holistic, do not need to enter vitamin complexes.

The second class of products that you can feed puppies, also applies to products of high price category. Made from quality food. Composed no preservatives or flavor enhancers, flavors and colors are also banned from inclusiontherefore, breeders can be confident that the puppy receives only proven and safe food.

As a rule, feed super premium withIt is made of meat products and cereals, there are also about 15 important vitamins, animal fats, antioxidants, amino acids, which positively affect the digestion of the dog.

No less good products for feeding dogs, which is much easier to find on the shelves of pet shops, compared to expensive feed. However, breeders choosing a product from this group should be aware that It may contain various artificial components.that do not pose a risk to the health of the animal.

Such a product can be called Grocery and Utilitarian. According to the majority of breeders, such feed is extremely undesirable to enter into the dogs menu, since their basis is usually made up of food waste from meat production, soybean, various preservatives and other chemicals are always present. This product category is rarely certified. It is usually sold in natural markets, in non-specialized outlets.

In addition to the generally accepted division of feed into classes, there are also products for therapeutic puppies on sale.Usually, such feeding products are found in proven manufacturers with a good reputation.

Today, there are some manufacturers on the market whose products are in a well-deserved demand among dog handlers and breeders of different breeds. So, for puppies they prefer to purchase food of industrial production of the following trademarks.

Products belong to the universal category, so it can be used for animals of any breed and size. The composition of the feed contains the following components:

• cereals;
• meat, offal;
• seafood, including seaweed;
• vegetables;
• berries and fruits;
• vitamins, minerals, antioxidants.

Low carb puppy food, in the composition of which the meat component prevails - about 75%. The manufacturer offers products from different varieties of meat, including lamb, rabbit; seafood, legumes, herbs, eggs, vegetables and fruits. According to reviews, products contribute to the strengthening of immunity, has a positive effect on the digestion and condition of the animal's coat. Among the shortcomings should be highlighted the presence in the sale of packs of small volume, as well as the high cost of feed of the Canadian manufacturer.

The composition of products contains about 50–53% of the meat component, the other ingredients are cereals, herbal supplements, vitamins and trace elements. Products are more affordable. does not cause allergic reactions in animals.

Production of puppy food of this brand is done in the Netherlands, the predominant ingredient in the products will be cereal crops, and the manufacturer uses dried or dehydrated meat. As a rule, it is a chicken or a lamb. The products of this brand incorporates fats and proteins, as well as basic mineral and vitamin supplements.

Domestic puppy food, where meat is the predominant ingredient. The product is enriched with Omega-3, the cereal components in such feed are replaced with potatoes or legumes.

In the line of puppy food from this manufacturer products for animals of different breeds and sizes are presented. The composition of the product is dominated by low-fat turkey, dry pulp of beets as a source of fiber, corn. Some variants include an analogue of colostrum in animals, which has a beneficial effect on the growth and health of the dog.

In order to properly organize the diet of a growing dog, it is necessary to take into account the needs of the animal’s body at each stage of its growth. Therefore, the following recommendations should be taken into account when selecting feed.

• The growing body is very important protein, which is responsible for the growth of muscle tissue. Also selected products should contain ingredients that can compensate for the deficiency of calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus. Important for the health of the dog will be vitamins C and E.
• In order for the dog to receive energy portions of food, you should pay attention to the carbohydrates in the composition of the selected feed: it is important that they belong to the group easily digestible.
• Puppies are allowed to alternate dry and wet food. Besides the fact that it diversifies the menu, the alternation will allow to satisfy all the needs of the body, normalizes the water-salt balance.
• When choosing food, the determining factor will be the breed of the animal. As a rule, manufacturers of puppy food take into account all the characteristics of the animal, including its size.Therefore, on sale there are feeds for small breeds of dogs, consisting of small pieces of food, more convenient for chewing. Medium-sized dogs are recommended to purchase feed with a fat content of not more than 18%. For large breeds usually make food with a high content of nutrients, which will strengthen the bone and muscle system.
• There are universal food, which will help to understand their division into classes and age group of animals. Their composition includes the most important vitamins and trace elements, therefore, it will be suitable for a puppy of any breed.

Some inexperienced breeders introduce puppies into the diet of industrial feed intended for feeding adult dogs. However, such a menu can have an extremely negative effect on the health of a pet with long-term or constant consumption of products for four-legged pets of an adult group. There are several reasons why this product does not suit growing dogs:

• as a rule, croquettes for a different age group will be larger in size and also more rigid, which may complicate the feeding process, in some cases making it impossible;
• in its chemical composition (BZHU) products will differ significantly, which will reduce the benefits from the use of adult food;
• adult dog products also lack the necessary additional supply of vitamins and trace elements necessary for puppy growth.

The volume and frequency of feeding a growing dog will depend on its age. There are also several recommendations that will help to properly organize the pet's diet.

• The rules of eating should be strictly controlled by the dog breeder. You should not fill up the food in a bowl, if there is still some portion of the food that was not fully eaten in it. After eating the bowl should be removed, leaving only clean water.
• If the diet of the dog consists of industrial feed, then after eating the puppy should not additionally treat with various delicacies. Mixed diet and overfeeding can cause the development of serious diseases in the animal.
• A double portion, even if the pet missed one feeding, is prohibited. This option will cause overeating, and the dog is completely satisfied and the standard amount of food.
• You should not buy for your pet economy-class products, which for the most part consists of preservatives.
• After eating, you should not tire your dog with active games.
• According to the behavior of the pet, you can roughly determine the rate of feed recommended for one meal. If after each feeding the animal diligently licks the plate, then the amount of wet or dry food can be slightly increased.
• It is also important to take into account the recommendations regarding the norms indicated on the packaging of the feed. As a rule, the manufacturer makes a detailed table indicating the age and volume of feed needed for one feeding.
• Making up the schedule of feeding the dog, it will be useful to adapt to your daily routine so that the animal receives food strictly at the same time.

The number of feedings per day will depend on the puppy's age, there are universal recommendations that can be followed to the breeders of four-legged pets:

• at the age of one to two months, the animal must be fed about 5-6 times;
• in 2–4 months, you can reduce the frequency of meals at a time;
• By six months, the dog will already need 3-4 feedings per day;
• pets older than 6 months and up to 10 months should eat 3 times a day;
• after 10 months, 2 feedings will be enough for the animal.

Schooling small dogs to feed should be gradual, if there should be no problems with wet products, then with dry croquet pets may have difficulties at first.The breeder will first need to soak the food, however, with the advent of the first milk teeth, the need for this will disappear. However, the soaked granules deteriorate very quickly, so the remnants of food should not be offered to the dog in the next feeding.

About what you can not feed a puppy or a dog and why, see the next video.