How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Coton de Tulear Puppies
The sweet-natured Coton de Tulear pup is an adorable ball of white fluff that is an exceptionally loving family companion. A breed always intended only to function as a cherished friend, the Coton de Tulear originated in Madagascar where the dog is believed to have been brought on sailing vessels as a companion for wealthy ladies over three hundred years ago.
In the mid 20th century, the breed was discovered in Madagascar by a Frenchman who brought several of them to France to help develop this dog type further and assist with it becoming a recognized breed. The dog’s name is taken from its coat’s resemblance to cotton and the region in which it was found: Tulear (now known as Tollara).
The Coton de Tulear puppy is very intelligent and enjoys every opportunity to learn new skills, making this dog a joy to train. A puppy with only moderate activity needs, the Coton de Tulear puppy requires only a short daily walk or a vigorous play session to remain physically and mentally content. However, this pup likes to eat, so care must be taken to prevent the Coton de Tulear from becoming overweight. Free feeding is strongly discouraged.
Happy and sociable, the Coton de Tulear puppy is in its element when in the company of those it loves most. The breed does well in an apartment or a home with a fenced yard in which to enjoy playtime.
A breed that typically is characterized by excellent health, the Coton de Tulear puppy is predisposed to a few genetic health problems. These include patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy. To provide needed support for optimal wellness in this breed, the best dog foods for Coton de Tulear puppies are small breed puppy formulations that include supplements to promote joint and eye health. Maintaining a healthy body weight is also a critical component of not further exacerbating any of these conditions if present.
The ideal diet for the Coton de Tulear puppy contains a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat. To promote a healthy rate of bone growth, the Coton de Tulear puppy should be fed a food that includes the proper rate of calcium to phosphorus: 1.2 parts of calcium for each part of phosphorus.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Coton de Tulear Puppies
The Coton de Tulear puppy does best on a small breed puppy formulation that is well-balanced and based on a lean, meat-based protein. Once the right diet has been found, owners must then determine how much of that food to feed their pup to attain optimal health and wellness. The best dog foods for Coton de Tulear puppies offer suggested serving sizes based on weight and age. These are helpful guidelines that can be decreased or increased incrementally until the correct portion is found.
If overfed or underexercised, the Coton de Tulear puppy can easily become overweight, a condition that puts excess strain on its hips and knees. To this end, free feeding is very strongly discouraged.
Dietary Requirements for Coton de Tulear Puppy Foods
Coton de Tulear puppies benefit from a diet that is based on a lean, meat-based protein. The best dog foods for Coton de Tulear pups include a whole meat or meat meal as their foundation ingredient. By-products are often used as a protein source in many commercially prepared dog diets. Because they are taken from inferior cuts of meat, and thus, are cheaper for manufacturers to purchase for use as a protein, they are not of sufficient nutritional quality for growing pups.
Plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are common allergens for many dogs. They are not the best choice for the Coton de Tulear puppy and are best avoided. Likewise, chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives are sometimes added to dog foods to improve appearance and shelf life. These ingredients offer no nutritional benefit to dogs.
From carbohydrates, the Coton de Tulear puppy gains the nutrients it needs for healthy digestion and a thriving immune system. Since this dog breed is not predisposed to allergies, this pup can eat a grain-inclusive or grain-free formula without suffering any ill effects. The carbohydrate profile in a puppy food for the Coton de Tulear pup can consist of fruits, vegetables, or whole grains.
Healthy fats play an important role in a high quality diet for the Coton de Tulear puppy. From these fats, a pup gains support for coat and eye health, brain and eye development, and strong energy reserves. These fats are best found in foods such as chicken fat and oily fish but can also be found in some plant-based oils such as canola, safflower, and sunflower.
All diets can benefit from the addition of supplements to boost their overall nutritional quality. The best supplements for the Coton de Tulear puppy are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Coton de Tulear Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Coton de Tulear puppy:
-
Lean, meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
The Coton de Tulear puppy is a true carnivore, thriving on a puppy food that lists a lean meat as its primary ingredient. Whole meats and meat meals are the best options for a foundation for a high quality diet.
By-products and plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are not of sufficient nutritional quality to support the nutritional needs of the Coton de Tulear pup.
-
Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Chemicals, fillers, artificial flavorings and colorings, and mystery ingredients provide no nutritional benefit to the Coton de Tulear puppy’s diet. Many of these items can trigger an allergic reaction in dogs with food sensitivities.
-
Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
The best dog foods for Coton de Tulear puppies include supplements to boost their overall health. The ideal supplements to look for in a diet for this pup include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
-
Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Coton de Tulear puppy should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.