1. Quality matters! “They are what they eat”. The brands we recommend are from the pet store and are as follows:
Nutro, Pro Plan, Royal Canin, Science Diet
Do not feed the local store brands as in Albertson’s or Ralph’s. National brands sold at the grocery are not the same quality as national diets sold at the pet food stores. Even these large pet stores have their own brands that are not recommended. Nutritionists recommend 10-20% of the diet be canned and provided at each meal.
2. Quantity: Your pup’s stomach will fill when they eat and they will stop or walk away when they are full. Document the amount your pet consumes with each meal; it is a measure of how they feel.
3. Feedings: Puppies: Feed dry and canned at each meal and feed 3-4 meals per day. Always feed in private so there are no distractions. Use a laundry room or bathroom. Allow them 5 minutes to eat and take the uneaten food away. Document what amount they have eaten. Establish a regular schedule. Adults: [after 5 months of age] feed twice daily, a specific amount at a specific time.
4. Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia): Small breeds are predisposed to low blood sugar. Small frequent meals are important. If your pet does not eat everything during this five-minute interval it is recommended to give a rounded teaspoon of Karo syrup. This may keep their blood sugar normal until the next meal.