How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Lhasa Apsos
The charming Lhasa Apso is a beauty to behold. With its distinctive flowing locks, it would be easy to mistake this breed for a sophisticated lap dog; however, the Lhasa Apso is fiercely independent, containing a mind all its own. Originally bred to serve as a guard dog for royalty, the Lhasa Apso is both loyal and protective of its family.
In spite of its natural tendency to protect those it loves most, the Lhasa Apso should never display aggressive behavior. The breed is aloof and suspicious of strangers but loving and affectionate to those it considers family and friends. Lhasa Apsos also have a penchant for mischievousness, a trait that delights their owners to no end.
Because of the Lhasa Apso’s independent spirit, the breed can tend towards stubbornness, making it a challenge to train. However, the breed is innately intelligent and can learn if paired with an owner committed to clever training techniques.
Lhasa Apsos are not particularly patient with children, and thus, all interactions between this breed and kids should be carefully supervised for safety. The breed requires only moderate daily activity and can be prone to becoming overweight if not properly exercised. For this reason, free feeding is strongly discouraged.
The best dog foods for Lhasa Apsos contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. Though the Lhasa Apso enjoys a long puppyhood; not reaching full maturity until almost three years of age, it is recommended that this breed be transitioned from a small breed puppy food to an appropriate adult formulation after age one year.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Lhasa Apsos
As a member of the toy group, it is important that the Lhasa Apso maintain a healthy body weight to avoid putting excess strain on its joints. The best dog foods for Lhasa Apsos are properly nutritionally balanced and contain only the finest quality ingredients to encourage good digestion and a strong immune system in dogs.
Determining how much of a food to feed the Lhasa Apso can be a challenge. The suggested serving sizes printed on the side of the bag are an excellent place to start. Owners can use these as a guideline, making adjustments based on their dog’s weight, age, activity level, and appetite until the correct portion is found.
Since the Lhasa Apso can be predisposed to becoming overweight and only requires moderate daily exercise, it is best to avoid free feeding this dog. All food should be measured and all intake monitored to ensure a good weight and healthy body condition.
Dietary Requirements for Lhasa Apso Dog Foods
The Lhasa Apso thrives on a diet that is well balanced and comprised of easily digestible ingredients. The best dog foods for Lhasa Apsos include a lean meat-based protein as their foundation. Whole meats and meat meals are the best options for owners to look for as the basis of a suitable diet for their dog.
Though many foods make use of by-products or plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat in their formulations, these foods can be very difficult to digest and are common allergens for many dogs. For this reason, diets containing them are best avoided. Other ingredients not suitable for the Lhasa Apso’s nutritional needs include chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Carbohydrates are an important part of a well balanced diet for the Lhasa Apso. It is from this food group that the Lhasa Apso gains a boost for good digestion and the strength to develop a thriving immune system. Carbohydrates may come from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. Of primary importance in any included carbohydrate is its amount of antioxidants and dietary fiber.
From healthy fats the Lhasa Apso gains fuel for its energy reserves and assistance with developing and maintaining healthy coat and skin. These essential fatty acids are best derived from animal origins and include such foods as chicken fat and oily fish. However, the plant-based oils canola, safflower, and coconut offer ample servings of the important nutrients Lhasa Apsos need from their daily diet.
All diets can benefit from the addition of supplements to help a food work its most effectively. The ideal supplements to look for in a food for the Lhasa Apso are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Lhasa Apsos
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for an adult Lhasa Apsos:
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Lean meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
The Lhasa Apso is a carnivore, and thus, requires a meat-based diet to thrive. The best dog foods for Lhasa Apsos list a whole meat or meat meal as their primary ingredient.
By-products and the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat are common allergens for many dogs and can be difficult to digest. As a result, foods including these ingredients should be avoided.
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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 a growing Lhasa Apso. Diets which include any of these items should be left on the shelf.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
All diets can be improved through the addition of beneficial supplements. The ideal supplements to aid the Lhasa Apso’s health and wellness include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Lhasa Apso should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.