Toy Terriers are a breed of small dogs for keeping exclusively at home. As you know, miniature animals need special attention from the owner, and especially - in proper nutrition. This is a guarantee of their health and longevity. This feature is associated with the predisposition of dogs that look puppies throughout life, to various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In order for your pet to be always cheerful and healthy, and its wool to shine, its diet must be complete and balanced.
Kinds
Feed for dogs of small breeds are divided into two types, such as:
- natural - made on their own from fresh ingredients;
- dry - Special balanced mixture factory made.
Which option to prefer, each owner of a puppy or adult dog decides on its own. It is important to remember that veterinarians recommend not to use a mixed diet - feeding both natural products and dry food at the same time. It is better to stop at one thing. In addition, the diet for a puppy may consist of natural ingredients, and as you get older, you can gradually transfer it to dry mixes.
The nuances of the dry type of food
Choosing the brand and manufacturer of dry food for your pet, you should definitely pay attention to that it was intended specifically for dogs of small breeds. And also you need to choose food of the highest quality, which include extremely useful for the "baby" components: meat, cereals, vitamins, vegetables and fruits in a dry form. In no case, the composition of the food should not contain dyes, soybeans, corn, as well as flavor enhancers that can have a detrimental effect on the dog's stomach. Many manufacturers produce food for different age groups: from a newborn puppy to dogs of old age.
The main distinguishing feature of the product is that Each category contains exactly the set of useful ingredients that an animal needs during a certain period of its life. Consequently, it is not only important to choose the right food itself, but also to check the suitability of the pet's age.
All feed available in the distribution network, veterinarians are divided into several categories.
- Economy class. For example, Pedigree, Chappy. They are based on corn, which is the strongest allergen. And we have already mentioned that the stomachs of our “little” friends are very sensitive and prone to allergies. Thus, this line of dry food is categorically contraindicated for use by toy-terriers.
- Premium class. Pro Plan, Royal Canine, Hill's is food from proven manufacturers, in which harmful additives are missing and the diet is completely balanced.
- Super premium class. Eagle Pack Holistik, Acana, Orijen are first-class products from elite manufacturers. As part of it, you not only will not find anything that is contraindicated in dogs, but also marvel at the widest range of its components: several varieties of meat, berries, fruits, herbs, vitamins and minerals. With this diet, your four-legged friend will always be healthy and fit.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that it is impossible to overfeed individuals of small breeds. This leads to rapid obesity, loss of mobility and shortened life expectancy. The package shows the daily rate of feed, depending on the mass of the toy terrier, and it should be followed.
When keeping a pet on a dry diet, be careful that there is always fresh water in its bowl. This will prevent the development of urolithiasis.
Feeding natural products
If you decide to independently prepare food for your four-best friend, then think out especially well the balance of the diet for the puppy age period. It was at this time that the foundations of his health and upbringing were laid. remember, that It is very important to feed the dog properly from an early age, giving it only healthy food, and not scraps from the master's table. It is best to cook food to a toy terrier separately and daily.
Despite the diminutiveness of toychik, they belong to predators. In their diet should prevail meat products. Meat can be given to adult dogs and raw, previously dividing it into portions and keeping it in the freezer for several hours. This is done in order to neutralize the product - low temperature will effectively get rid of parasites, if present in meat pieces.
Meat delicacy after the freezing procedure must be thawed and bring its temperature to room temperature. Toy terriers can not be fed too cold or hot food - it should be slightly warm or room temperature.
It is worth considering what can be given to dogs of this breed. Chicken meat and beef, which can be given both raw and boiled, should prevail in the menu. Also in the diet should contain the following products:
- cereals: rice, buckwheat, rolled oats - they should be boiled;
- vegetables: zucchini, carrots, beets, tomatoes - preferably pre-extinguished;
- chicken yolkhard boiled;
- sea fish: salmon, pollock or hake - give only boiled;
- offal: heart, liver, scar - you can not boil, but be sure to pour boiling water over it;
- cottage cheese or kefir;
- greenery: dill or parsley;
- fruits: It is better to give apples and bananas in small quantities.
In addition, sometimes you can indulge your pet products such as:
- natural yoghurt, which does not contain dyes and sugar;
- a drop of honey;
- a few drops of vegetable or olive oil: usually 1-2 drops no more than twice a week;
- a piece of lamb, raw or prepared;
- low-fat unsalted cheese.
As for salt, it can be added to food extremely rarely at the tip of a knife, while using only sea salt. For a balanced diet, cereals and vegetables are necessary for small dogs. But if animals refuse to eat them in their pure form, then You can try to mix them with meat in such a way that the meat ingredients prevail.
It is strictly forbidden to give the following products to toy terriers:
- fatty, fried and smoked food;
- any sweets containing sugar;
- salty foods: vegetables, fish and so on;
- flour products: biscuits, bread, pasta;
- raw fish, eggs, offal;
- potatoes and legumes;
- various sauces, mayonnaise, margarine and butter.
Important! A dog is contraindicated for any food from the owners table, because it must contain salt, spices and other components harmful to the body of the animal.
Feeding frequency
If the puppy is fed artificially from birth, then with his growing up the frequency of food intake should be reduced, and the intervals between receiving the food gradually increase. So, newborn babies during the first two weeks should be fed every two hours with milk or a special mixture. Further, the time between feedings should be increased so that when the puppy reaches one month it is already 4 hours.
During the second month of life, babies are fed every 4 hours, that is, 6 times a day. In the third month, the number of feedings is reduced to 5 times, on the fourth - up to 4 times, and starting from the fifth month, they switch to three meals a day. When the dog reaches adulthood - 10 months - it can be fed 2 times a day, but at the same time. Best of all - immediately after the walk.
Important! To feed before walking the veterinarians do not recommend due to the fact that they are very mobile, and this can lead to blotting of intestines.
What is better to feed?
With a properly formulated and balanced diet, any kind of food: natural, dry or wet will be equally useful for a four-legged pet. The main thing is to comply with the rate and frequency of feeding. Still, feeding dry ready-made formulations has a number of advantages over the natural diet, namely:
- fully balanced menu that does not require additional feeding;
- prevention of the formation of tartar and the removal of plaque in the process of chewing crispy granules;
- convenient, does not take time from the owner to prepare food;
- the monotony and the same calorie content in a serving has a positive effect on the work of the digestive organs;
- hygiene is easy to observe: dry products do not stain the dog's fur and its bed, and also do not deteriorate;
- the ability to choose food that is fully appropriate to the age and needs of the dog.
You will learn more about caring for toy terriers in the following video.
