How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Dalmatians
The Dalmatian is easily recognizable worldwide by its short, dense white coat that is covered in liver or black spots. A breed renowned for being highly energetic, this dog type requires a family that enjoys living the active lifestyle. The Dalmatian bonds deeply to its family and enjoys accompanying them on their adventures. However, this breed is not a couch potato and must receive vigorous daily exercise to remain physically and mentally content.
The Dalmatian’s intense energy reserves were needed to fuel its job racing alongside carriages, assisting its owners with keeping harm away from the carriage inhabitants. A dog breed that is naturally very athletic, the Dalmatian excels at many performance sports and activities including flyball and agility.
Dalmatians are innately intelligent. A breed that can also be very stubborn, the Dalmatian requires an owner that will establish boundaries and expect the dog to heed them. Failure to do so may result in a Dalmatian that runs the household and that can be difficult to control. Sensitive at heart, positive reinforcement training techniques are recommended for this dog breed.
A dog breed that can be predisposed to some unique urinary issues, the protein found in their diet should be moderate at best. In addition to this, the breed requires constant access to clean, fresh drinking water and frequent bathroom breaks to promote a healthy urinary tract.
An excellent family companion, Dalmatians typically do well with children.
Because this breed is highly active, it is unlikely the Dalmatian will become overweight. However free feeding is still strongly discouraged in this sometimes stomach sensitive breed.
The Dalmatian is most often a very healthy dog. However, as with all dog breeds, there are some health conditions the Dalmatian can be predisposed to developing. These include allergies, arthritis, congenital deafness, hip dysplasia, eye problems, and skin problems. The best dog foods for the Dalmatian include supplements to support the breed’s overall health and include such ingredients as glucosamine, chondroitin, and DHA and ARA.
Moderate amounts of protein are best for the Dalmatian since the breed can be prone to urinary issues. As a general guideline, a diet that includes approximately 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat is ideal.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Dalmatians
The sweet and sensitive Dalmatian requires a well balanced, moderate diet to achieve optimal health and wellness. Determining how much of a food to feed this striking breed takes some trial and error. The best dog foods for Dalmatians offer suggested serving sizes based on age and weight. These can be utilized as a starting point and should be adjusted to reflect the dog’s weight, activity level, and appetite until the correct portion is found.
Though the Dalmatian is a natural athlete and is not likely to become overweight, it is still very important that this breed not be free fed. It is recommended that all of the Dalmatian’s food be carefully measured and all intake monitored.
Owners will want to be certain that the Dalmatian always has plentiful access to clean drinking water. The dog will also need to be taken out frequently throughout the day for bathroom breaks. These two things form a key strategy to help promote optimal urinary health in the Dalmatian.
Dietary Requirements for Dalmatian Dog Foods
The best dog foods for Dalmatians are based on a lean, meat-based protein that is included in moderate amounts. Whole meats and meat meals are the best options as they are easily digestible and rich in the nutrients required to support a healthy body. By-products and the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat can be difficult for dogs to digest and are common allergens for many dogs. For this reason, foods basing their formulation on these ingredients are best avoided.
Many commercially prepared diets include ingredients in their formulations to improve the food’s taste or appearance, and in some cases, they are added to increase the shelf life of the product. These ingredients offer no nutritional benefits to the Dalmatian and can trigger recurring allergic reactions if exposed to them repeatedly over time. Among the ingredients considered to be undesirable in a food for the Dalmatian are chemicals, fillers, additives, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
A breed that can suffer from allergies, the Dalmatian may do best on a grain-free diet. However, for dogs with no previous disposition towards food-based allergies, the ideal food for this breed can include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in its carbohydrate base. The best carbohydrates found in a food for the Dalmatian were included for their abundance of antioxidants and dietary fiber to support good digestion and a healthy immune system.
From healthy fats, the Dalmatian gains the support it needs for healthy reserves of energy and excellent quality coat and skin. These fats are best obtained from animal sources such as chicken fat and oily fish. However, plant-based oils such as canola, safflower, and coconut also offer ample servings of these vital nutrients.
It is always a great idea to consider a diet that includes supplements in its formulation. Supplements help a food to work its most effectively. The ideal supplements for the Dalmatian are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Dalmatians
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Dalmatian:
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Lean, meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
The best dog foods for Dalmatians include a lean meat-based protein in moderate amounts as their foundation. Whole meats or meat meals are the best option. By-products and the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat are not of sufficient nutritional quality to support the Dalmatian’s needs.
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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 Dalmatian. Foods containing these items are not suited for the needs of this breed.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Supplements help a food to best meet the Dalmatian’s unique nutritional needs. The most beneficial supplements to look for in a food for this breed are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Dalmatian should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.