If you are fortunate enough to have recently adopted or purchased a toy poodle, you might be wondering what’s best to feed your pet. Or you might be thinking that your older dog is getting a little hefty and maybe needs a change in diet.
The answer to the question of pet nutrition is simple, really, but can seem complicated by the many choices available in pet specialty stores and grocery stores.
WHAT TO FEED PUPPIES
First and foremost, if you just took home a puppy, feed the pup the same food the breeder used and recommends until the pup is full grown. Many experts agree that a toy breed dog is full grown at 10 months of age. During this time your puppy needs extra calories as well as extra protein and other nutrients for growth. I always recommended feeding toy poodle puppies three times per day. Once the pup is full grown, you can switch to twice-daily feeding.
OTHER LIFE STAGES
Always look for a food that is nutritionally complete and balanced. You will find those words on the label somewhere. Be sure to choose a food that is appropriate for your pet’s life stage. Puppies (and pregnant dams) need puppy food. Adult dogs need adult or maintenance food. Senior dogs should be feed senior food.
WHERE TO BUY PET FOOD
The canine nutrition experts at Purina, Hill’s, IAMS, and a host of other reputable companies have figured this out so it makes your choice of food fairly easy. Buy the best quality food you can afford from a place that’s convenient for you to shop. You wouldn’t want to run out of food and have to take a 20-minute drive at the last minute to buy more. Supporting local business is usually a good idea so visit the pet specialty stores in your town. Also peruse the pet food aisles in all the grocery stores in town to see what’s offered there.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised to find that Purina ONE (one of my personal favorites) is widely available. But everyone has their favorite. You might ask your veterinarian for recommendations, too.
KIBBLE SIZE
Bear in mind that toy dogs have tiny mouths and teeth so they generally need a “small bites” formula. All that means is that the kibble is smaller than those chunks they make for big dogs. My two larger (10 pound) toy poodles enjoy Purina ONE Small Bites Beef & Rice Formula but for Mr. Dibs, a teacup toy poodle, even that kibble is a lot of work to chew. I recently switched Dibs to Wellness Small Breed, a food that is available from my local pet store. Dibs loves it. And it doesn’t take him all day to crunch his breakfast!
HOW MUCH TO FEED
As for quantity, follow the label directions but use your own common sense to modify the amount. My dogs, for example, are indoor pets. Their main exercise is jumping from the floor to an easy chair or sleeping next to my computer desk (like right now as I write this). Their caloric needs are much less than a dog who is out and about, goes on long walks with you, or plays a lot. One of the best ways to assess your dog’s nutritional status is to judge his body condition. Purina has a neat chart showing you what the ideal body condition is for your dog.
IF YOU CHANGE YOUR DOG’S FOOD
Although I don’t recommend changing a toy poodle’s food without good reason (age, life stage, kibble size, or other reason such as a food allergy or vet’s recommendation), if you do decide to switch food, do so gradually. On the first day, mix the old food with the new food 90:10. In other words, the vast majority of the meal will be old food.
As the week ensues, progressively add more new food to the mix, simultaneously decreasing the amount of old food in the chow. By the end of a week or 10 days, your toy poodle will be on the new food and his or her digestive system will be acclimated to the new chow. If you rush this process, your pet will most likely endure digestive upsets. He or she will feel icky and you will end up with an icky mess to clean. Transition slowly and you can avoid problems.
Until next time,
Mr. Dibs
