Dry puppy food: features, choices and rules of feeding

There is a huge physiological difference between adult dogs and puppies, therefore, in matters of feeding it should be taken into account when drafting a puppy's diet, so that its development is more harmonious.

And also there are features associated with the breed, pedigree and other factors. High-quality dry food not only contains natural meat and carbohydrates, but also useful trace elements and essential vitamins.

The composition of the feed depends on many parameters, such as price segment, types of specialized diets, dog breeds.

The following elements must be present in the feed:

• natural meat (with lamb, poultry or beef);
• vegetables fruits;
• vitamins;
• minerals;
• proper carbohydrates (cereals).

It is undesirable to have the following components in the feed:

• soy protein;
• preservatives, surrogates;
• palm oil and similar fats.

The main indicator of quality is the proportion of animal protein in the feed, but it should not be too much, because excessive use of this component can cause allergies in the puppy.

The economy class feeds are rich in by-products and soy protein., but nutritional compositions, the class of which starts from premium and higher, contain a large amount of natural meat or fish, and only a few use an insignificant amount of by-products.

There are quite a few manufacturers of dry food in the world, they can be divided into several segments: economy class, premium, holistic and super premium class. Consider the rating of popular manufacturers.

In economy class one of the most famous manufacturers - Pedigree. These feeds are fairly cheap and common, you can buy them at any supermarket, and they also present a balanced composition of vitamins and trace elements. But in the composition of the raw material of this brand there is little animal protein, the abundance of vegetable components and the overall unbalanced composition of macronutrients.

Oscar food is relatively little known, but it can also be found on the shelves. The basis of its composition are cereal components, hence its main characteristics. The only advantage of the Oscar is its low price., and from the minuses it can be noted the abundance of vegetable components, the lack of meat and the presence of preservatives.

A common feature of the premium class food is the presence in the composition of an increased share of meat (up to a quarter of the total composition), better quality raw materials and a generally balanced composition. Such feeds are considered more physiological than the economy class feed.

The first of the premium class we consider Purina Dog Chow Puppy. This food is recommended for puppies up to one year old. Here the proportion of proteins and fats is observed, trace elements and vitamins are rationally combined. The indisputable advantage of this raw material is the presence of probiotics in itthat improves the functioning of the puppy's digestive tract. Among other advantages, we can note the complex composition, the full spectrum of vitamins and microelements, the optimal energy value and feed safety. Of the minuses - a relatively low proportion of meat, the presence of flavors and preservatives.

The next feed in this segment will be Purina Pro Plan feed.The brand produces a diverse line of feed for a wide variety of breeds and ages. There is a wide palette of ingredients, which even includes turkey meat, corn, beets and dog colostrum analogue as a source of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and immune proteins for the growing puppy. Of the advantages marked by a large proportion of meat, a multivitamin set, canned meat in the line.

Many owners and breeders recommend paying attention to Royal Canin. The feeds from the Junior range are specially formulated for feeding puppies aged from 2 to 10 months. Of the distinctive characteristics, the presence of probiotics and phosphate compounds is also noted. Of the benefits - a rational composition, relative accessibility and safety for a puppy. Cons - the presence of preservatives and flavors, a large proportion of by-products. And also there is no indication of how much meat is in the composition.

Separate attention deserves Science Plan Puppy feed from the manufacturer Hills, which can be used since the first month. Features of this option are the availability of antioxidants, as well as high nutritional value. Among the advantages, there is a balanced set of coenzymes and microelements, a convenient form factor in the form of small granules. It can be easily found in stores, making purchasing a simple task. But this food, like some others with corn in the composition, can cause allergic reactions in puppies with a sensitive digestive system.

Feed Advance Baby Protect can be administered from 3 weeks - months of age, basically contains rice and chicken. It is easily digested, the composition is selected correctly, and there is a huge selection of lines. And also declared the absence of preservatives. Of the minuses - the presence of corn and offal.

A good option for puppy feeding is Nature's Protection feed. It can be used from two months to a year. And also the feed fully satisfies the requirements of the growing body. The composition has a variety of components such as animals (fish and poultry), and others (corn, yeast). In this food rational mineral and vitamin composition. But it has a rather high cost, even despite the low content of natural meat.

Well affect the digestive system of puppy food holistic class, and the first of them we consider Acana. This option is distinguished by low-carbohydrate and high-protein composition, lack of rice, millet, corn inclusions. It is almost two-thirds of the meat, and the available fruits and oats, being rich in nutrients, are hypoallergenic. Its only drawback will be a very tangible price.

The second option in this group is Now Fresh, which, unlike most other feeds, is completely grainless. The composition of poultry meat (turkey, duck), salmon fillet, eggs, vegetables and fruits. Moreover, fruits and vegetables are quite exotic.

Grandorf food is very popular, in which cereal components are also absent, dyes and flavors are excluded from the composition. Meat in this feed most of the total composition. Pros - absolutely natural and perfect micronutrient composition. Of the minuses - the high (perhaps unnecessarily) price.

First of all, choosing a dry food for your puppy, determine the price segment, while it is highly desirable to avoid the economy segment. It is preferable to choose the best of what you can afford. A good option would be the feed of the holistic segment.

Having decided on the price category, you need to familiarize yourself with the availability of feed for puppies of the breed, the representative of which lives in your home.Next, highlighting all these feeds, examine the composition of each of them, paying attention to the amount of meat, herbal supplements, preservatives, flavors and any obscure ingredients.

For large breeds, the presence of protein is critical, because protein is the main building resource of the body. For small dogs is very important the absence of vegetable components and dairy impurities. For medium breeds in the first six months, you can use food designed for small breeds, and then - for large breed dogs.

In the process of feeding puppies dry food It is important to consider general rules.

• Do not save on pet food. Cheap options often contain surrogates, and they do not keep a balance of micro- and macronutrients, which in the end can adversely affect the health of your baby.
• Teach your dog to a food schedule so that its digestive tract adapts to a more rational mode of functioning. Such a diet will save the dog's healthy digestion for many years.
• Dry food can very often provoke thirst in dogs, therefore it is necessary to ensure the availability of fresh drinking water in the proportion of 3 milliliters per gram of dry food during feeding, so that the dog can be more comfortable with this food.
• Dry food must be properly stored, subject to certain conditions. Even in spite of the fact that it is stored better than a natural ration or a moist food, the food should still be kept in the shade and coolness.
• Physiological stretch the introduction of complementary foods for 2-3 weeks, which will allow the digestion to adapt to the new diet.

The earliest date is three weeks from the moment of birth. Already from this age on, some breeds can begin to be lured, but at this time it is still early to introduce dry food.

Complementary food is introduced by adding a certain amount of dry food to the natural food with a gradual decrease in the total amount of food supplied.

In the first steps, it is necessary to grind and soak granules of dry feed in warm water. Dairy products such as yogurt or kefir can be used to increase nutritional value. It should not be used for soaking hot water, as some vitamins are thermolabile and can be destroyed by exposure to high temperatures.

Depending on whether the breed is small or small, it is necessary to switch to dry food at 3 months for large dogs and within six months for dogs of small breeds. It is important to take into account the anatomical and physiological features of animals, such as the short gastrointestinal tract and thin tooth enamel, therefore late delivery of food can lead to constipation, and coarse food can spoil tooth enamel, which will develop into caries and destruction of dental tissue.

Give the puppy portions should be in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions attached to the feed. There should be painted options for feeding the dog.

Puppies are given specialized food, this is due to the fact that in these feeds there are small and very soft granules, which are more comfortable for puppies, as well as a composition that is balanced in a special way.

Up to two months the puppy is fed 4-6 times a day, up to half a year - 3 times, after - 2-3 times a day.

Professionals generally relate in two ways to the introduction of dry food into the puppy ration. Some veterinarians believe that dry food cannot be used in parallel with canned food, while others, on the contrary, consider the combined use of dry food with a soft one to be more physiological.

As for the hosts, There are many positive reviews about holistic feeds.that help the puppy's digestive system function properly.Many people speak negatively about economy and even premium feeds, noting the appearance of reactions such as loose or irregular stools, bloating and allergies in the puppy.

More about feeding a puppy, see the following video.