How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzers
Considered to be one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, England, and Germany , the Miniature Schnauzer is much beloved for its compact frame and immense heart. A breed that enjoys the company of people and takes great delight in pleasing them, the Miniature Schnauzer is a highly social dog that enjoys active lifestyle with its family.
Because the Miniature Schnauzer is naturally very gregarious, it is happiest when in the company of people. The breed requires a fair amount of one on one time with its family to remain mentally content. With relatively high activity requirements, the Miniature Schnauzer does require regular daily exercise. In spite of this, this breed can easily become overweight if free fed or underexercised.
The Miniature Schnauzer has a big personality and many people consider it to be “a lot of dog.” For this reason, this dog breed does best in the home of an experienced terrier person. The Miniature Schnauzer was developed to assist its family with rodent control. Though this breed is no longer primarily an active working dog, its prey drive remains firmly intact and is often expressed in spirited and mischievous behavior.
The Miniature Schnauzer makes a good family companion and is tolerant with children. However, make no mistake, this terrier craves the spotlight and is happiest when all eyes are focused on it. Its terrier attitude makes the Miniature Schnauzer think it is a bigger dog than it is; something that is problematic when it takes on a dog of much greater size.
The Miniature Schnauzer can live successfully in an apartment if its daily exercise needs are sufficiently met. However, the breed is best housed in a home with a large fenced yard.
A breed that will protect its family and that is naturally wary of strangers, the Miniature Schnauzer will eagerly watch over its family’s home and hearth. This dog is known to alert bark at every sound, and its bark can be menacing to the ears.
A highly intelligent dog, the Miniature Schnauzer picks up new skills with ease. However, this breed can be obstinate, making training exercises a challenge. As a result, the Miniature Schnauzer requires an owner that will establish firm boundaries and that will help the terrier learn what is expected of it each and every time. A weak trainer will soon end up overrun by this stubborn little dog.
Since the Miniature Schnauzer can be predisposed to allergies, it is important to select a diet for this sometimes stomach sensitive breed that is free from common allergens such as soy, corn, and wheat. In addition to allergies, the Miniature Schnauzer is prone to developing bladder stones, and thus, requires a diet that helps to prevent this problem from occurring.
The best dog foods for the Miniature Schnauzer contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Miniature Schnauzers
Determining the correct calorie count for a dog is typically a process of trial and error. The best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzers list suggested serving sizes on the side of their packaging. It is a great idea for owners to use this as a starting point, making adjustments as necessary until the correct portion is found. The dog’s weight, age, activity level, and appetite can all serve as helpful benchmarks in making this important decision.
Though the Miniature Schnauzer is a highly active breed, it is still not recommended that this dog be free fed. All intake should be measured and all intake monitored to ensure a healthy body condition is achieved and maintained.
Dietary Requirements for Miniature Schnauzer Dog Foods
The spunky Miniature Schnauzer thrives on a diet that is well-balanced and based on a lean, meat-based protein. The best dog foods for Miniature Schnauzers list a whole meat or meat meal as their foundation ingredient. Though many commercially prepared diets like to make use of by-products or plant-based proteins in their food formulations, these are more difficult for the Miniature Schnauzer to digest and can be common allergens for many dogs. These types of diets are best avoided entirely.
Chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives offer no nutritional benefit to the Miniature Schnauzer. In addition to this, over time, these ingredients can trigger recurring allergies in this breed. Diets that include these ingredients are best left on the shelf.
Carbohydrates provide the Miniature Schnauzer with the nutrients needed for good digestion and a healthy immune system. These can come from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables so long as the dog has not expressed a sensitivity to grains. For those dogs, a grain-free diet may be best. Each carbohydrate included in a diet for this breed should ideally contain high amounts of antioxidants and fiber.
Healthy fats help the Miniature Schnauzer to have the fuel it needs to maintain its busy lifestyle it leads and the support to attain optimal coat and skin health. The best sources for these healthy fats include chicken fat and oily fish; however, several plant-based oils such as safflower, coconut, and canola also offer ample servings of these vital nutrients.
Supplements help to improve the efficacy of a food. The ideal supplements to look for in a food for the Miniature Schnauzer include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Miniature Schnauzers
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Miniature Schnauzer:
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Lean meat-based proteins listed at the beginning of the ingredients list
The Miniature Schnauzer does best on a diet that takes a lean meat as its foundation. Whole meats or meat meals offer the ideal basis for a high quality diet for this breed. By-products and the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat are best avoided entirely.
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Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
All items introduced into a food formulation should add nutritional value. Chemicals, flavorings, fillers, and mystery ingredients do not contribute anything positive to a Miniature Schnauzer’s diet. In fact, many of these ingredients can be the cause of allergy issues in Miniature Schnauzers.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
It is always a great idea to feed the Miniature Schnauzer a diet that contains helpful supplements to help boost the nutrition found in its food. The most beneficial supplements for the Miniature Schnauzer are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
The AAFCO seal approval should accompany any food considered for the Miniature Schnauzer. This designation indicates a food has been assessed and found to be complete and properly balanced.