Feeding your mini doodle

HOW MUCH FOOD SHOULD I GIVE MY MINI DOODLE PUPPY?

 There’s a saying in canine feeding: Watch the dog, not the dish. Body  condition, not the amount eaten or left in the bowl, should determine  portion sizes. Portion sizes depend on individual metabolism and body  type, and nutritional requirements vary from dog to dog. If your puppy  occasionally skips a meal or picks at food, don’t worry. It could mean  she is ready to eliminate a feeding or that you have given her too much,  in which case simply reduce the quantity served.

  Also, if you are doing treat based training with your mini doodle pup, adjust the amount you feed at mealtime accordingly.  Whenever training with treats, keep the treat as small as possible. 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FEED MY PUPPY?

 Like human babies, puppies start out needing many small meals a day, of a  food formulated for their special nutritional requirements. Most, but  not all, dogs finish meals quickly. To discourage picky habits, feed at  regular times in regular amounts and don’t leave food down for more than  10 to 20 minutes. 

IS IT WORTH IT TO BUY EXPENSIVE FOOD?

 The answer to this is YES YES YES! Premium food has higher nutritional density, so you can feed your dog less to achieve the same results. Also, premium foods have stable  ingredient profiles; the composition of bargain brands can vary from  batch to batch.

The major dog-food companies invest heavily in product development  and research, constantly upgrading formulas to keep up with their  competitors. This means that feeding premium food puts you on the cutting edge of canine nutrition.

DRY FOOD, WET FOOD, OR BOTH?

 Many pet-food companies have worked with  canine-nutrition scientists to develop special formulas for   both large-  and small-breed puppies.

• Canned food is the most expensive to feed, and dogs  often find it most palatable. Be careful of “all-meat” claims, though.  Your dog should have a complete, balanced diet to fulfill nutritional  requirements. Meat alone may not do it.
• Semi-moist food is available in one-serving packets. It is usually made to look like hamburger.
• Kibble is the most economical, and the major makers  offer a complete and balanced diet for dogs of all sizes and ages. Dry  food can be fed exactly as it comes from the bag.

Some dog owners say there is an  oral-hygiene advantage in hard kibble because the friction produced  helps to keep the gums and teeth healthy. Kibble can be moistened,  either with water or canned food. Although unnecessary, that addition  may make food tastier.

FEEDING A MINIATURE BREED VS A LARGE BREED

 Small dogs are different in many ways from their larger counterparts, beginning  with their nutritional needs. Despite their small size, small and Mini breed dogs may actually require more calories per pound than larger  dogs. Their higher metabolic rates particularly affect their dietary  needs in puppyhood, and there are health concerns as they age that diet  can help address.

In general, dogs require a wide range of nutrients, vitamins, and  minerals. Dogs, contrary to popular belief, are not strictly carnivores.  Domestic dogs rely on grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as meat,  for a complete and balanced diet. For this reason, many people prefer to  feed their dogs commercial foods. Most commercial foods are affordable,  convenient, and contain all of the nutrients that dogs need to stay  healthy, and since few owners are experts in dog nutrition, feeding a  dry or canned commercial diet takes the guesswork out of balancing your  dog’s nutritional needs.

 The assumption that small breed dogs such as Mini Doodles are low maintenance and easy to  feed due to their small size is dangerous. Small breed like Mini Doodles, require careful feeding to prevent a condition  called hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is the scientific word for low blood  sugar, and small breed puppies are prone to developing this condition as  a result of high metabolic rates and low sugar and body fat reserves.  This means they need to be fed a calorie-dense, small breed puppy food  anywhere from three to four times a day and watched closely for symptoms  of hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia in dogs:

• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures

Most complete and balanced small breed puppy foods contain the  appropriate amount of nutrients for Miniature Doodle puppies. They also have  smaller kibbles, which are easier for mini breed puppies to chew and  are less of a choking hazard.