Each owner should think about how to feed the pet. Moreover, it is best if this question is raised at the stage of choosing a dog. If the choice is made in favor of dry food, then buy only well-known brands whose producers are responsible for the quality of their products. But here before the owner another question arises: whether it is necessary to soak dry food for puppies or will they bite it dry?
Physiology
The future owner should well understand that the digestion of his pet is very different from ours. And proper nutrition is very important. Moreover, if we talk about an adult animal, then often there are no problems. But the baby's nutrition should meet certain requirements and standards. Many owners ask a question: how to soak dry food for a puppy? Today we will try to understand whether this should be done and for which age category this method is most often used.
For any breed
This is especially true for those who take large puppies. Their development and formation period is very short, and proper nutrition is now absolutely everything. Because all the foundations are laid, the skeleton and muscles are formed, milk teeth change. And the puppy’s weight increases very quickly about 20 times. Of course, this requires that a small body receive a complete set of nutrients and vitamins daily.
The entire puppyhood is divided into two parts:
- The first is feeding mother's milk.
- The second is a complete diet.
Since it is not possible to soak the dry food for the puppy to the consistency of milk, when the mother cannot feed her children, they are given adapted substitutes.
Second period
It begins with the second month of life. Now the baby needs to be fed every three hours, regardless of breed. Gradually, the number of feedings can be reduced. Each portion of food should contain a volume of products corresponding to the dimensions of the crumbs. And here the owner faces a difficult task. In order for the diet to be complete, you need to include meat and sour-milk, as well as vegetable dishes. Of course, it is much more convenient to buy a package of factory feed. Be sure to consult your veterinarian. He will tell you how to soak dry food for a puppy to make it optimal for a gentle body.
Finished feed
Now we are talking about specialized nutrition for puppies. Industrial feeds are distinguished by a high content of proteins necessary for a growing animal and high palatability. If the protein content is less than 30%, then this is not a suitable option for your baby. Subject to certain rules and proportions, professional feeds meet the needs of a growing organism, but at the same time are quite economical. This is not to mention how much such feeding saves the time of the owner. Since you can soak dry puppy food during the morning walk, you practically do not spend time preparing it.
Price and quality
When your pet becomes an adult, there will be an opportunity to switch to cheaper feeds. But this is recommended to be done only when absolutely necessary. For puppies, feeding an economy-class dryer is completely unacceptable. So that an adult dog does not have health problems, you need to invest a maximum in the baby. Therefore, choose only super premium brands, and even better - professional feed. Consult with the veterinarian and breeder, he will tell you which is better to buy.
Top Brands
Today there are several dry feeds you can trust. These are "Dog Chow", "About the Plan", "Eukanuba", "Hills". When grown on professional feed, puppies are in good shape, moderate appetite, decorated feces. Very often, veterinarians are repelled by this. When asked whether to soak dry food, they will ask about the puppy's age and how he goes to the toilet. If the stool is moist and properly formed, then leave everything as it is. Otherwise (often - when using cheap feed), it is recommended to add liquid to them.
First lures
Speaking about whether it is necessary to soak dry food for puppies, you need to remember at what age we begin to give babies complementary foods. This usually occurs at the age of three weeks, when they are just learning to walk, and baby teeth are growing. At this time, the puppy is still receiving mother's milk. Therefore, veterinarians recommend two methods: grind the granules and mix them with a liquid or immediately pour milk. How to properly soak dry food for puppies in your case, you can decide based on the age and appetite of the baby.
Cooking in this case does not take much time. Just measure the right amount of feed and add fluid. You can slightly warm the milk, but only to a slightly warm state. Pour them food and leave for 20 minutes. Stir - and the food is ready.
Up to 2 months
Until about this age, babies are fed 5-6 times a day. Some, especially if the mother has a lot of milk, eat only 3-4 times a day. These are individual characteristics to be reckoned with. The feed is soaked for about one and a half months, after which the puppy's formed dental system is already able to cope with the load, that is, it can gnaw granules. However, to what age is the puppy soaked in dry food, it is also recommended to decide individually. Many babies like the taste of milk, and drying, on the contrary, does not appeal to them at all. Therefore, soaking is allowed for up to 2.5 - 3 months. After that, you need to gradually transfer the animal to dry food, only pouring a little milk into it.
After three months
From this age, milk is completely excluded from the diet, because now it causes digestive problems. By about 4-5 months, babies switch to four meals a day, but not all owners refuse to soak. Someone adds water, others prefer kefir. What do vets say about this? There are no definite answers either. Some experts are categorically against this, while others believe that this reduces the load on the gastric mucosa.
Dry food and additives
After six months, you can already switch to two meals a day. In this case, you must always adhere to the norms of the daily diet, which are indicated on the back of the package. Optimal nutrition in this case involves only dry food. Neither porridge, nor cottage cheese, nor meat should be given to the puppy in addition to this. By drying in the morning and meat in the evening, you cause an upset digestive system. However, small pieces of cheese and kefir are considered a useful addition to the diet. For some dogs, it is recommended to soak the drying in kefir (or just add it to the diet), which contributes to better intestinal function. But it is recommended to take low-fat so as not to overload the liver.
York puppies
One of the most tender and capricious creatures from the whole dog brethren. The nutrition of these beauties is a separate issue. They eat a little, so it is recommended to buy only super-premium food. They are balanced and tasty, which is very important. Yorkies are characterized by oral diseases and the formation of tartar. Therefore, there are special requirements for the choice of food.
Often, veterinarians are asked how to soak dry food for Yorkie puppies, because they are so small and tender. Is it possible to give them crackers? Do not worry, you can. Soak is required only during the period when milk teeth grow. After 2.5 months, you already need to switch to a common diet. By biting the food, the dog prevents the formation of tartar. But Yorket croquettes must have a special shape so that the dog can comfortably grab them.
Instead of a conclusion
The choice of food is the most important issue that a loving owner must decide. Soak or not dry food, you must decide in conjunction with a veterinarian. For puppies who are breast-feeding, this is important, because the body is not yet ready to receive rough food. At an older age, dry croquettes are most often recommended.