Dog ownership is a huge responsibility and feeding your dog and ensuring they receive a nutritionally good diet is probably one of the biggest concerns you will have. Common sense will tell you that a German Shepherd is not going to eat the same kind of food that you would feed your Miniature Schnauzer and vice versa. There are so many different brands and kinds of dog food on the market that it is hard to know which food is right for your Schnauzer. You can ask five different dog specialists and probably get five different answers.
One of the major concerns many people have about dogs is their shedding. The Miniature Schnauzer is one of the rare breed of dogs that doesn't shed. Therefore, it is important that they be fed food with high nutrients to ensure that no shedding occurs.
Many pet food specialists are encouraging dog owners to adopt the 'holistic' approach of natural dog foods. They feel it is healthier for the dog, gives them a longer life and will eliminate many canine health problems in dogs. While some of these foods are more expensive than the traditional commercial dog foods that have been on the market for many years, many feel they are worth the expense. Most owners of Miniature Schnauzers will recommend a good quality dog food for your Schnauzer. Many of the different quality dog foods available should keep your dog healthy and satisfied.
There are some restrictions or requirements regarding the health and nutritional needs of the Miniature Schnauzer. The Miniature Schnauzer is very prone to developing diabetes, bladder stones, and pancreatitis, all of which can be related to their diet. They also tend to get hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in their blood), which turns into pancreatitis. To prevent this, the dog should not have a diet filled with sweets or fatty foods. Another health problem that is very common in dogs is Urolithiasis (stones), which can be contributed to a diet too rich in calcium, magnesium or phosphorus.
As with all dogs, chocolate is poison to the Miniature Schnauzer. Dog owners have always been told not to give chocolate to their dogs, but this is especially true with smaller dogs. The Miniature Schnauzer should not be allowed to overeat as they have the tendency to become overweight very easily. They also sometimes develop skin allergies from overeating, which cause bald patches on their skin.
Feeding the Miniature Schnauzer sounds very complicated, but a lot of it falls back on common sense. You want him to have a diet high in nutrients that will help him to grow as healthily and disease-free as possible. Many of the dog foods are made of "fillers". When checking the ingredients of the dog food you are considering purchasing, make sure one or more of the first 5 ingredients listed are some kind of meat. By meat, I mean proper meat - not meat by products. Many dog food companies will list one meat, then corn, then wheat, then soy. What you have in the first four ingredients consists of one quarter meat and three quarters grains (grains are corn, wheat and soy, and these are fillers). They may fill your dog up and make him think he's full but he's not getting the nutrition he needs. Your local vet can probably help you in choosing a food that is good for your miniature Schnauzer.
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