How to Select the Best Dog Food for the Havanese
The Havanese’s distinctive flowing locks and natural elegance make this breed a true charmer. Extremely affectionate by nature, this dog breed bonds very deeply with its family and is equally as friendly with strangers. The Havanese enjoys the company of other animals with whom the breed gets along very well, making it an excellent choice for a multi-pet home.
The Havanese tends to stick very close to those it loves most and does not enjoy time spent alone. If left by itself for long periods of time, the Havanese can be prone to developing anxiety.
A dog breed developed to serve as companion animals to the wealthy and aristocratic families of Cuba, the Havanese is a true lap dog. However, in addition to its desire for close contact with those it loves most, the Havanese is intensely intelligent. The breed thrives when given opportunity to learn new skills and is particularly well-suited to life as a therapy dog.
The Havanese has energy to spare, and thus, requires regular daily exercise to remain physically and mentally content. The breed excels at many dog sports including agility, Rally, flyball, and obedience.
Since the Havanese can be predisposed to stomach issues, it is vitally important that owners select a food that is comprised of easily digestible ingredients and that is free from common allergens such as corn, wheat, or soy. Prebiotics and probiotics can also provide a vital help for this stomach sensitive breed.
The best dog foods for the Havanese contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for the Havanese
Since the Havanese is a busy little dog breed, it is very important that this pooch has the fuel it needs to remain active each day. This means that each owner will need to carefully determine how much of the best dog food for the Havanese to feed their dog. Generally speaking, it is a good idea to consult the suggested serving sizes on the side of the bag as a starting point.
The initial amount of food will need to be adjusted until the correct portion is found. The dog’s personal activity level, age, weight, and appetite will all need to be considered and will help serve as guidelines to determining appropriate portion sizes.
The Havanese is not particularly prone to gaining weight; however, free feeding this breed is still strongly discouraged. All food should be measured and all intake monitored to ensure a healthy body condition.
Dietary Requirements for Havanese Dog Foods
Because the Havanese is an active little dog, it is even more important that this breed be fed a premium quality diet that is well balanced to support its health and wellness. The best dog foods for the Havanese are based on lean meat. Whole meats and meat meals are generally the best foundation for a diet for this sweet natured breed.
By-products are inferior in quality and can trigger skin and stomach sensitivities in the Havanese. These are best avoided.
Likewise, the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat are common allergens for many dogs. These are undesirable in food for the Havanese. Other ingredients to avoid include chemicals, additives, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, and fillers.
The Havanese can enjoy a diet that is grain-inclusive or grain-free. However, dogs that have previously expressed food sensitivities may favor a grain-free diet. Carbohydrates can come from fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. It is from this food group that the Havanese gets support for good digestion and a healthy immune system.
Healthy fats assist the Havanese with achieving coat and skin health and enjoying strong reserves of energy. These oils are best obtained from animal sources and include such items as chicken fat and oily fish. Plant-based oils such as canola, safflower, and coconut also offer ample amounts of essential fatty acids for the Havanese.
It is always a great idea to consider a food that contains supplements. The most effective supplements for the Havanese are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Havanese
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Havanese:
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Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list
The Havanese, like all dogs, is a carnivore. Any diet suited to the needs of this breed should be based upon lean meat. Whole meats and meat meals offer the best foundation. By-products and plant-based proteins such as corn, soy, and wheat are not of sufficient quality to support the nutritional needs of the Havanese.
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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 Havanese. Diets containing any of these items should be avoided.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Supplements can help a diet to work its most effectively. The ideal supplements for the Havanese 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 Havanese should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.