 |
Not all small dogs have the same nutritional needs. Giving your dog a food specially formulated for his size and activity level is the easiest way to make sure he’s getting complete and balanced nutrition.
A Small Request
Small dogs have small mouths and stomachs. You may want to feed him a formula with a small bite size for easy chewing. A nutrient-dense food will help make sure he’s absorbing essential nutrients even though his stomach can only accommodate what seems like a small volume of food.
RETURN TO TOP
Special Needs
Has your dog been neutered? Is he not getting enough exercise? Or is she about to have puppies? Special conditions like these dramatically affect your dog’s nutritional demands.
Less active dogs, or dogs who have been neutered or spayed, are all prone to weight gain. Controlling your dog’s weight is an important step toward protecting against complications of excess weight, such as diabetes or joint health problems. If you do use a weight-control food, look for these ingredients:
- A reduced fat level that still offers essential nutrients for skin and coat health
- L-carnitine, a key nutrient that helps burn fat and maintain muscle mass during weight loss
- Special carbohydrate blends that help maintain energy while managing weight
- Vitamin-rich fish oils for overall health
RETURN TO TOP
Pregnant Feeding Tip
Pregnant dogs have awesome nutrition requirements. Complete and balanced puppy food can give pregnant and lactating dogs the extra nutrients they need.
RETURN TO TOP
Selecting a Food
Small adult dogs require a food that offers complete nutrients essential for health and vitality:
- Vitamin-rich fish oils for a healthy skin, shine and overall health
- Essential vitamins and minerals to help support the immune system and help maintain good health
- High-quality animal-based protein sources to help maintain muscles
- A fiber source to promote intestinal health, enhance nutrient absorption and reduce backyard cleanup
- Special carbohydrate blend of select healthy grains to help maintain normal blood sugar levels for sustained energy
- These ingredients are the keys to mature nutrition whether you feed dry or canned dog food or give him treats
RETURN TO TOP
Switching to a Mature Diet
Unlike larger dogs that are considered mature at age 5, your small dog can remain on an adult diet until age 7. In fact, small-breed dogs tend to live longer and don’t experience age-related changes as early as bigger dogs do. But it is critical to make a proactive transition to a specially formulated mature diet so you can help keep your dog healthy and active for years to come.
For more information about dog nutrition:
Technical Bulletin: Supplementing Diets
Feeding Tips from IAMS
Glow of Good Health
Nutritional Needs of Pregnant and Nursing Dogs
RETURN TO TOP
|
|
|
