In almost every modern family, a pet lives. Some give birth to a kitten, others to a hamster, and still others to a puppy. Of course, in a city apartment it is very difficult to keep a large dog, so residents of megacities acquire representatives of miniature breeds. The Yorkshire Terrier is especially popular with indoor dogs. How many times to feed such a puppy, you will find out by reading this article.
Which is better: dry food or natural food?
After acquiring a puppy, one cannot immediately sharply change his diet. This can be a serious stress for the animal. Therefore, it is better to ask the breeder than to feed the Yorkshire Terrier at home.
Within a few weeks after the appearance of the puppy, each owner faces the question of what is best to give the animal - dry or natural food. In the first case, you should choose feed for premium Yorkshire terriers from trusted manufacturers. Dog food is not the case when you can save.
Some owners prefer to give their pets exclusively natural food. But this does not mean that the animal can be fed what you eat yourself. If for some reason you are forced to change the diet of York, then you need to do this gradually. In order for the dog to get used to the new food faster, it is advisable to mix it with the old one.
How to feed the Yorkshire Terrier at home: natural feed
The nutrition of dogs of this breed must be complete. The diet should include all the necessary vitamins and minerals. The main condition that feed for Yorkshire terriers must meet is the right balance of easily digestible proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Dogs of this breed are prone to obesity and kidney problems. Excess carbohydrate foods can trigger the development of these diseases.
The dog menu should contain meat, vegetables and various cereals. In addition, the animal needs special nutrition and vitamins. When buying meat, it is advisable to give preference to chicken or beef. Twice a week, a pet should be given boiled fish.
What should not be in the diet of these animals?
Each owner of dogs of this breed needs to know about the existence of a list of products that categorically should not be in the feed for Yorkshire terriers. First of all, remember that you can not mix dry and natural food.
These animals have a very sensitive pancreas and liver, so it is highly undesirable to give them fatty and fried foods. York's nutrition should not include such components as:
- sweets and chocolate;
- salted cheeses;
- smoked meats;
- semolina and oatmeal porridge;
- bakery products;
- bones (especially fish).
After the puppy reaches four months of age, it is desirable to completely exclude milk from his diet. Also, do not feed the animal with grapes, potatoes, broths, cabbage, mushrooms, pork, butter and citrus fruits.
Yorkshire Terrier: puppy nutrition
The basis of the diet of dogs under the age of one year should be such products as:
- sea fish;
- quail egg yolk;
- calcined cottage cheese;
- dairy products;
- boiled and raw vegetables;
- cereals;
- raw beef.
Those who decide to give the animal dry food for Yorkshire Terriers should understand that you need to transfer the puppy to such food in stages. Experts recommend doing this from the age of two months. When selecting feed, it is advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian or an experienced breeder first.
Special recommendations
Experienced owners are well aware that feeding an animal is based on such critical factors as quantity, quality, and time. The dog should eat only in a place specially designated for this with a special stand adapted to its height. There should also be a container of clean water so that the Yorkshire Terrier can quench his thirst at any time.
If the dog has not finished its portion or has completely refused food, then after a quarter of an hour you need to remove the bowl. It is recommended to feed an adult animal a couple of hours before a walk or 30 minutes after it. It is strictly forbidden to arrange pet unauthorized snacking. Otherwise, the puppy will quickly get used to it and start begging.
When calculating the portion size, you should focus on the age of the dog and on its load. Excess feed can cause obesity, slow growth rate and impaired bone development. It is important to remember that proper nutrition is the key to the health and longevity of your pet.
What you need to know about dry feed?
Those who opted for specialized finished feeds need to follow a few simple, but very important recommendations. First of all, you need to pay attention so that they correspond to the age of the animal. It is forbidden to offer puppies food intended for adult dogs. When choosing, you should consider not only age, but also the energy costs of your pet. It is advisable to purchase products of one company, as experts do not recommend mixing feeds of different brands.
Among other things, it is imperative to comply with recommended feeding standards. Also, do not mix natural and industrial foods. Some inexperienced owners mistakenly think that canned food is nothing more than a meat supplement that can be mixed with various cereals. In fact, this is strictly prohibited.
Overview of popular brands
Of course, every owner wants to choose the best food for the Yorkshire Terrier. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of similar products, developed taking into account the characteristics of the breed.
Especially popular is Hills food, developed for small dog breeds. It contains all the vital vitamins and minerals. The main component of this feed is chicken, rice and fats.
Acana products contain a small amount of carbohydrates, a lot of fats and protein. Therefore, such feed is ideal for York. Unlike other analogues, it does not contain rye, corn or wheat. Therefore, it does not cause indigestion or other digestive problems.
Ideally balanced Pro plan, designed for small dog breeds, is made on the basis of salmon or chicken. As additional components, it contains digest, corn gluten, as well as vitamins E and C. Regular use of this food helps strengthen York's immunity.