How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Chow Chow Puppies
Chow Chow puppies are well-renowned for their distinctive lion-like mane. A breed that is characterized by its intense nature, the Chow Chow puppy carries itself with great dignity and pride.
The Chow Chow puppy traces its roots to Northern China where the breed was first developed to provide companionship for members of royalty. One of their most prized attributes is their natural cleanliness.
As a general rule of thumb, Chow Chow puppies are easy companions with only moderate activity requirements. Though devoted to their families, they can be standoffish when introduced to new people.
A breed that can be predisposed to skin problems, Chow Chow puppies benefit from a diet that is free from the most common food allergens. In addition to this, supplements that enrich a diet’s omega 3 and 6 fatty acid content provide a vital support for skin and coat and health.
The best dog foods for Chow Chow puppies are nutritionally dense and provide all of the nutrients a developing puppy needs through each of its growth phases. The correct amount of calcium to phosphorus is vitally important to ensure a healthy rate of bone growth. This is rated as 1.2 parts of calcium to each part of phosphorus.
Since Chow Chow puppies can prone to a number of different health conditions, it is important to select a diet that will help pups to have an excellent foundation to prevent the development of disease. The most common problems that can plague Chow Chow puppies include:
- Eye disorders
- Bloat
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Skin conditions
- Obesity
One key difference between Chow Chow puppies and pups of other breeds is their unique nutritional needs. Chow Chow puppies do best on a diet that contains moderate amounts of meat. Beef is best avoided entirely as it is commonly associated with skin flareups in Chow Chow pups.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Chow Chow Puppies
Chow Chow puppies are considered to be large breed pups and benefit from a diet that is specifically designed to meet the needs of puppies of their size. To help determine how much of the best dog food for Chow Chow puppies to feed a pup, it is a good idea to use the suggested serving sizes listed on the bag as a starting point. These can be adjusted according to the puppy’s weight, appetite, and activity level until the correct portion has been found.
The correct rate of bone growth is vitally important for the final structure of the adult Chow Chow. With this in mind, the Chow Chow puppy should be fed a diet for large breed pups until the puppy reaches one year of age or 75 percent of its full adult size. When either of these benchmarks occurs, the puppy should be transitioned to an appropriate adult food.
Since bloat is a condition that can be quite common to Chow Chow puppies, it is important to ensure the puppy does not eat too much or too quickly. Though it is not known precisely what causes bloat in dogs, these two factors are believed to contribute to the development of the problem.
Obesity is an issue that plagues many Chow Chow puppies. To prevent this from occurring, free feeding is very strongly discouraged.
Chow Chow puppies should be fed a puppy food that contains a moderate amount of protein. This is rated as between 20 to 22 percent with slightly higher amounts also acceptable should there be no reactions affecting the skin or coat. The fat content of the food should be approximately 8 percent.
Dietary Requirements for Chow Chow Puppy Foods
Chow Chow puppies require a diet that is properly nutritionally balanced and comprised of only the highest quality ingredients. The best foods for Chow Chow puppies take a lean protein as their foundation. Beef and red meats are best avoided for this breed as it can cause skin sensitivities in some pups.
Though whole meats are the preferred protein source, meat meals are also an excellent dense source of amino acids to support healthy muscle development. However, meat by-products and plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat should be avoided for best results. These items can lead to allergic reactions and offer little nutritional benefit to dogs.
Carbohydrates may come from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. Of primary importance in any carbohydrate included in a diet for Chow Chow puppies is its ease of digestibility. Fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants are also an excellent choice to boost a puppy’s immune system.
Healthy fats form an important part of any excellent quality diet for Chow Chow puppies. Healthy fats contribute the essential fatty acids puppies need for brain and eye development as well as good skin and coat health. These are best obtained from animal sources such as chicken fat and oily fish. However, some plant-based oils such as canola and safflower also offer excellent health benefits.
Since the Chow Chow is a breed that is predisposed to skin issues, puppies can reap great advantages from supplements included in a food’s formulation. The ideal supplements to look for in a Chow Chow puppy’s diet include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Chow Chow Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Chow Chow puppy:
- Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list
- Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
- Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
- Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
- Beef should be avoided to prevent skin problems
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids enriched to support skin and coat health