Nutritional features of German and Pomeranian Spitz

Small Spitz dogs look like plush toys, which is what dog lovers really like. "Fuzzies" are very active. To keep their appearance in good condition, you need to provide a balanced diet. It is very difficult to create a “menu” for a dog on your own, which is why dog ​​breeders prefer ready-made food. Both small puppies and adult dogs need to choose a diet. The rating of food for Spitz puppies will help you make the right choice.

Dry food rating

This option is an alternative to natural food. At the time of selection, you must carefully read the composition. It should contain vitamins and microelements.

Premium dry food:

Spitz can also be given super premium food. Such food contains an increased proportion of protein, vitamins and microelements, which are quickly absorbed.

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Super premium puppy food:

1st Choice Breeders for miniature breeds with chicken (20kg)

The best option among super-premium feeds. It consists of high-quality meat, vegetables, and does not contain unnecessary third-rate components and by-products. The composition does not contain taste or smell enhancers or other artificial additives.

The price per kilogram (366 rubles/kg) is budget-friendly for a product of this quality. Product, there is a huge range of food for small breeds with other tastes, hypoallergenic types that are suitable for animals with a tendency to allergies.

pros

• There is no unpleasant smell, the animal’s mouth does not smell after eating;
• The condition of the coat improves;
• Does not cause digestive upset, suitable for animals with a weak gastrointestinal tract;
• Each product in the line is balanced according to the age of the animal for which it is intended (this product for adult miniature dogs contains the required 22% protein);
• Does not cause allergies;
• Convenient packaging with a clasp, the product does not run out.

Minuses

• It has the form of granules, which are much more difficult to digest when not chewed;
• Difficult to find in pet stores.

Prohibited Products

The following cannot be used as food for a puppy:

1. Protein in its raw form. It worsens the condition and appearance of the coat.
2. Pork. The meat is very fatty for a Spitz. It can disrupt liver function and also cause urinary tract diseases. Pork often contains trichinosis, which is life-threatening for your pet.
3. Chocolate. Leads to poisoning.
4. Sausages and sausage products. They contain nitrate, which impairs liver function.
5. Fried foods and smoked meats.
6. Onions and garlic. Their juice contains irritating substances that provoke the appearance of ulcers on the walls of the stomach and intestines.
7. Chicken and rabbit bones are tubular in shape. They break into sharp pieces when the dog begins to chew on them. As a result, the product causes irreparable harm to her digestive system.

Ontario Mini Weight Control with Turkey and Potatoes (2.25 kg)

Czech super-premium product. Recommended by veterinarians due to its perfectly balanced composition. Does not contain cereals or grains. The composition includes high-quality fish, meat products, vegetables (for example, tomatoes).

There are no low-quality ingredients, chemical preservatives, or meat and bone meal. Suitable for dogs with excess weight problems.

• High content of lycopenes;
• Suitable for dogs with poor health, problems with joints and immunity;
• Does not cause a bad odor from the animal's mouth;
• All useful microelements in the form of chelates are absorbed by the dog’s body 100%;
• Small granules that are easy to digest;
• Distributed in pet stores;
• Hermetically sealed packaging.

• Pronounced smell.

Feeding frequency and portions

In the first months, veterinarians do not recommend giving puppies foods intended for adults. At this point, they undergo a period of adaptation, as a result of which they experience stress. Therefore, you need to approach food intake responsibly.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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Due to its compact dimensions, the dog cannot be overfed. For example, an extra 500 g can become a critical indicator. The owner should not allow the Spitz to become obese, as the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases will increase.

For puppies by month

As pets grow up, they always want to eat without restrictions. However, it is necessary to maintain an interval between meals and follow the following regimen:

• A 2-month-old puppy should be fed 3-4 times a day;
• at 3 months – 3;
• from 6 to 1 year – 2.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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With low activity, the puppy can quickly gain weight. This meal plan is suitable for dogs with an active lifestyle. Each owner selects the portion size individually.

For adult dogs

Such individuals belong to the category up to 9 years. Pomeranians, unlike other large dogs, are transferred to this category much later. For an adult Spitz, it is necessary to include foods high in minerals and protein in the diet.

For a nursing bitch

During this period, it is best to feed the dog fresh meat, cereals and vegetables. They contain a sufficient amount of vitamins, which the female lacks.

Orijen Original (6 kg)

Super premium product, suitable for all breeds, including small ones. Includes high-quality fish and meat, the content of which reaches a record 80% among other dry food, healthy herbs (dandelion, mint, turmeric).

All these ingredients help strengthen canine immunity. Does not contain third-rate by-products, chemical preservatives, flavor enhancers, aroma, vegetable proteins, gluten, or cereals. Orijen is suitable for active miniature dogs.

• Record high animal protein content;
• Does not cause allergies;
• The composition contains several types of fish.

• There is no fastener on the packaging so that the food does not dry out; it will have to be poured into a closed container;
• Strong odor and noticeable but short-lived odor from the animal's mouth;
• Rarely, problems with the gastrointestinal tract are possible.

Menu for the week

Regardless of age, pets have a similar diet. The owner independently chooses what to serve the dog at a certain meal.

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Breakfast:

• cottage cheese;
• porridge (optional);
• curdled milk (kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, low-fat sour cream).

Dinner:

• cereals;
• meat;
• olive or vegetable oil;
• greenery;
• mixture of grated and stewed vegetables.

Dinner:

• eggs;
• special bones for pets;
• sea ​​fish;
• bouillon.

Expert opinion

Anna Abramenko

An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.

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Throughout the day, the owner can give the dog a snack on rye crackers, a slice of cheese, an apple, carrots, nuts or dried fruits. The main thing is not to give them in large quantities, otherwise your pet will become overweight.

How to properly feed small breed dog puppies

When a puppy is just born, its digestive system is on its way to development; a diet of the right foods is the key to health for years to come. Newborn puppies can be supplemented with milk or a specialized formula. At the age of about 1-3 months, you need to feed puppies with natural food: lean meat, eggs, fish, porridge, fermented milk.

Protein should make up at least 70% of the diet. We add healthy fats and boiled vegetables to the rest of the diet. This menu may seem boring to humans, but puppies do not need a variety of foods.

Their gastrointestinal tract is just learning how to digest food, and preference is given to simple and healthy foods. The diet should not contain fatty, fried, sweet foods; they are prohibited for puppies and cause serious health and digestive problems.

Veterinarian advice

Recommendations from experts:

1. The most important thing for a dog's health is water. It must be changed in the morning every day. In this case, the bowl should always be full.
2. Portion sizes should be reasonable. If there is food left after eating, you need to get rid of it and then reduce the amount of food. If the dog licks the saucer for a long time, the owner should increase the portions, since the pet does not feel full.
3. The dog must be regularly active. To do this, the owner can play with him or walk outside. The main thing is to do this regularly.
4. Depending on the age of the Spitz, natural and dry food should be used alternately.

To maintain a normal weight and health of a Spitz dog, the owner must pay attention to its nutrition. It is necessary to exclude prohibited foods from the diet and replace them with the most healthy ones. You can also give your dog premium and super premium dry food.

Go! Natural Holistic (holistic menu) Go & NOW Natural (690 g)

Suitable for all dog breeds, especially miniature ones. It contains only natural ingredients, calf meat, turkey, lamb, duck, fruits, berries, vegetables.

The product is perfectly balanced, the necessary animal proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, microelements, acids are present, there are no harmful soybeans, preservatives, odor and taste enhancers, or low-quality by-products. All components retain their properties thanks to gentle processing.

• Convenient sealed packaging with a zipper: the food does not expire and does not lose its properties;
• The amount of excrement is significantly reduced, and its smell becomes less pronounced;
• High calorie content, the dog remains full for a long time;
• The coat becomes more shiny and smooth in appearance with prolonged constant feeding;
• Does not cause allergies or dental problems;
• The condition of the skin and eyes improves noticeably over time;
• Can be found in every pet store;
• Does not have a pronounced odor.

• Large granules that are difficult to digest if the dog does not chew them;
• Possible odor from the animal's mouth;
• Occasionally, problems with the gastrointestinal tract occur.

Wolfsblut Gray Peak Small Breed (15 kg)

German quality holistic specialist. The products of this brand include only those components that are easily absorbed by the dog’s body, without causing any digestive problems.

No wheat, oats, corn, starch or gluten. Meat makes up more than half of the food - cod, mackerel, haddock, pheasant, rabbit, trout, salmon, lamb.

• Excellent balance of vitamins, minerals, healthy supplements;
• Complete absence of chemical ingredients (flavor and aroma enhancers and dyes);
• Moderate size granules;
• No noticeable odor;
• Elegant, high quality packaging;
• The company has an official website with a detailed description of the product and instructions;
• The condition of the coat improves.

• Rarely available in pet stores;
• In isolated cases may cause constipation

Diet from six months to a year

Owners are often interested in what to feed their Spitz puppy. Starting from 6 months, he is accustomed to the diet of an adult dog. Dry food and raw meat are gradually added in small quantities. Six-month-old puppies are fed less frequently - 2 times a day.

Owners should pay attention to the behavior of a small Spitz before and after eating, then it will be clear whether he is full or if the portion size needs to be increased. If your pet walks slowly to the bowl and eats sluggishly, it means the portion is large for him. If, on the contrary, the animal often resorts to the bowl and eats everything in a few seconds, this amount of food is not enough for it.

Many people don’t know what to feed a 2-month-old Spitz puppy. The basis of his diet at this time is soup, porridge and boiled meat in moderation.

Note! It is impossible to disrupt the diet of Spitz dogs at any age, especially in puppies. The reason is a fast metabolism. Due to malnutrition, blood glucose levels can drop significantly, which will lead to disruption of brain activity and weakening of the dog’s entire body.

How to recognize underweight and obesity in Spitz dogs? What does this mean?

It is easy to check whether your dog is getting enough food by examining the ribs. If they stick out and there is no fat layer, your pet does not have enough food and the daily amount of food should be increased , and if when palpating you do not reach the ribs and the fat layer is thick, the daily amount should be reduced.

Remember that Pomeranians gain weight at an extremely fast pace and have a very difficult time losing it. Therefore, it is better to underfeed the dog than to give it too much food, since the second option will lead to obesity, which, in turn, will entail negative consequences in the form of problems with the musculoskeletal system. It is believed that dogs with little hunger are the healthiest.

When Spitz dogs become obese, serious physiological changes occur. Males lose interest in bitches, and they, in turn, lose their ability to breed. This is why it is so important to monitor your dog’s diet and condition!

Important! If your pet eats natural food, constantly monitor its freshness. If the puppy has not eaten food within half an hour, it should be put in the refrigerator.

What can you give your Spitz as a treat?

Sometimes you want to pamper your pet or praise him for following commands. The most common option is to buy cookies or other training treats from the store. They are inexpensive, and they are sources of vitamins and microelements, so it is recommended to choose them.

If, for some reason, you don’t plan to buy treats, you can choose a treat for training: cheese, a little honey or black bread crackers, or prunes..

Is it possible to mix

You can often hear that it is not recommended to change dry food throughout life and not to mix dry food with regular (natural) food.
However, many breeders believe that it is acceptable to alternate food from natural products with industrial food. It is only important not to mix them in one feeding. It is a mistake to believe that a mixture of porridge and croquettes will give the dog more benefits and fill it up faster

You can mix wet food with kibble from the same manufacturer. However, there is a drawback - this significantly increases the cost of feeding.

There are canned foods into which it is permissible to add boiled cereals, usually rice porridge or buckwheat. It's written on the cans.

If your pet doesn’t eat one food well, you have to switch to another. This is done gradually. The digestive system does not adapt immediately. It will take several days. On average, the translation process takes a week.

Grandorf (3 kg) Lamb with rice Mini

Suitable for a small breed dog. Veterinarians often mention this brand as the most suitable for dogs prone to allergies. The composition is completely free of chicken and grains.

In addition to meat, it contains components such as vegetables and grains. It is better to take this food for an active dog. If she is lazy, then Grandorf will make her overweight.

• High meat content - >60%;
• High calorie content, the dog will be full for a long time;
• No chemical flavors or additives;
• Improves the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, restores intestinal microflora (and is even indicated for those dogs who have digestive problems);
• Improves the condition of the coat.

• High in fat, a lazy dog ​​will quickly gain weight.

What should you not give to your Spitz?

When getting a dog of this breed, you should keep in mind that Spitz are very picky eaters and the list of prohibited foods for them is quite extensive. Below are the main prohibitions:

1. The main prohibition is fatty meat (lamb and pork) . We have already talked above about the difficulty of combating obesity in Spitz dogs, and these products actually contribute to an increase in body fat.
2. A special feature of Spitz dogs is the absence of lactose in the body , which makes drinking milk unacceptable, since this enzyme is responsible for its absorption.
3. Legumes will also be harmful to your pet; they impair the absorption of vitamin D , which is responsible for the pet’s skeleton.
4. bones , as they can injure the esophagus, stomach or intestines and lead to irreversible consequences, including death.
5. Smoked meats (fish, hot dogs, sausages) are strictly prohibited because they, like fatty meats, contribute to obesity.
6. Eating sweets will not have a beneficial effect on your pet, but rather will lead to problems with the eyes and ears.
7. Prohibited foods also include potatoes, citrus fruits, juice, and products with a high content of dyes or expired products.