What To Feed Your Poodle

This article looks at what you should be feeding your poodle. There are many conflicting theories as to what type of food you should be feeding your poodle, many who show their dogs, believe that the right diet is essential to show success. We will look at what you should be feeding you poodle at its' particular stage of life.

Types of Dog Food

There are many different types of dog food available on the market and they all claim to be the best for your dog. Regardless of the advertising, you should select the right food based on the age and activity level of your poodle. It is worth bearing in mind that the type of food you select can have a direct bearing on the glossy nature of your poodle's coat.

There are 3 types of dog food. Dry food, semi-moist food and canned food. Dry food tends to be the cheapest and contains the least fat and the most preservatives. Canned food is usually around 60%-70% water, whilst semi-moist food contains the most sugar and is probably the least popular of the three available.

Puppy Diet

Puppies should be encouraged to suckle milk from their mothers after birth. This initial milk is important to help them build up resistance to infections. If puppies refuse to feed however, you will have to feed them by hand, about every 2 hours. Most puppies will suckle for about 6 weeks, but after 4 weeks you should start to introduce small amounts of solid food.

Tip: - Don't be tempted to scrimp on puppy food at this stage as a good quality food will help promote sturdy bones and healthy growth.

Adult Diet

Poodle puppies take different times to reach adulthood. A standard poodle will take about 18 months to mature, a miniature will take 12 months and a toy will need around 6-8 months to develop. Most major dog food brands are appropriate but select the one most suited to your dogs needs.

Senior Diet

As your best friend gets older he/she will become less active and as a result will need a change in their diet. The first sign that the diet needs changing is weight gain.

Start by reducing the amount of food offered. Not only will this promote a healthier way of life, but it will be easier on the dog's organs such as the kidneys and intestines which also may be slowing down. As well as offering less food, you may want to consider switching to a dog food specifically produced for senior dogs.