Nutrition for young dogs is crucial to ensuring their growth and health. The best food for young dogs depends on their needs and preferences, in addition to the size of their breed and activity level. In general, high-quality dry and wet commercial dog foods are the best food for dogs, noting the availability of special foods. For puppies in the markets.
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Feeding small dogs
Here are the most important things regarding feeding young dogs:
Number of meals for small dogs
Nutrition requirements for a small dog vary depending on its age and the size of its breed, but in general, when puppies reach the age of 2 to 3 months, they should be fed four times a day, while at the age of 3 to 6 months, they should be fed three times a day, and when the puppies reach the age of between 6 From one month to one year, it can be sufficient to feed it twice a day, noting that the transition to two meals may occur at the age of 24 months for larger breeds of dogs.
Nutrients needed for small dogs
Small dogs mainly need the following nutrients:
- Proteins: Proteins are essential for maintaining the health of the muscles and tissues of the young dog, as they provide animal proteins, such as; Meat, poultry, and fish, essential amino acids that help build the dog’s muscles and bodily tissues.
- Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for a small dog, but they must be provided in moderation to avoid excessive consumption. Sources of carbohydrates include; Wheat, rice, potatoes, and corn.
- Fats: Fats are an important source of energy for the small dog. They also help give the small dog a healthy shine to his fur. They provide the healthy fats that you find in fish oil and beneficial vegetable oils, mono- and poly-fatty, which are considered the best sources of fats for the small dog.
- Vitamins and minerals: A small dog needs to consume an appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals for good health, and vitamins and minerals are found in large quantities in natural foods, such as; Vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins and minerals, which include; Carrots, broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and liver.
You should avoid food that contains preservatives and artificial colorings, and which contains large amounts of fat and sugar.
Forbidden foods for small dogs
There are some foods that should be avoided when feeding small dogs, including:
- Chocolate: Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, which may cause poisoning in small dogs.
- Avocado: Avocado contains an element called “proteinase,” which may cause problems in the dog’s digestive system.
- Bones: You should avoid giving bones to a small dog, as they can cause the dog’s teeth to crack and cause pain.
- Fatty foods: Fatty foods lead to weight gain and health problems for the young dog.
