How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Papillon Puppies
The happy go lucky Papillon puppy is a charming little pooch full of sass and fun. A highly versatile breed, the Papillon puppy is energetic and highly intelligent, making it well-suited to the active lifestyle. A dog breed that thrives when in the company of its family, Papillon puppies are loving and affectionate.
A friendly breed, Papillon puppies have never met a stranger, eagerly approaching friends, family, and new people with confidence. The breed is easily distinguished by its delightful batwing ears from which it takes its name “Papillon,” meaning butterfly.
The Papillon is a toy breed that typically enjoys excellent health. However, as with all dog breeds, this delightful little dog can be prone to developing certain health conditions. Thankfully, a high quality diet can help provide the support Papillon puppies need to maintain good health.
One of the most common problems which can plague Papillon puppies is hypoglycemia. Since Papillon puppies have small stomachs, they are unable to eat large amounts of food at one time. While this helps the active Papillon to maintain a good body condition, it can leave their blood sugar levels far too low since the breed has a very high metabolism.
To help the Papillon puppy avoid hypoglycemic episodes, it is best to feed this dog breed smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. A calorie-dense food is ideal for Papillon puppies since they can only consume small amounts in one sitting. Their high metabolism means they will require more calories than other toy breeds that are less active.
Other health problems that can plague Papillon puppies include:
- Allergies
- Deafness
- Patellar luxation
- Open fontanels
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Bite problems
- Collapsed trachea
- Urinary stones
An emphasis on an excellent quality diet formed from highly digestible foods can help the Papillon puppy through its critical developmental periods and support good health. The best dog foods for Papillon puppies are often supplemented with things like glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, probiotics, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to support the pup’s vital systems as it grows.
Papillon puppies should be transitioned from puppy food to an appropriate adult diet once the pup has reached one year of age.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count Papillon Puppies
Determining the correct amount of food to feed a Papillon puppy can often be a process of trial and error. It is best to begin with a top quality diet that is rich in caloric content to help the Papillon pup to maintain adequate reserves of energy to fuel its active lifestyle.
Experts recommend using the suggested serving sizes printed on the bag of food as a starting point for deciding upon correct portions. These amounts can be gradually adjusted until the right serving size is found. The puppy’s weight and appetite will help with this process.
Since the correct rate of growth is very important to a dog’s health and overall structure as an adult dog, it is very important that any puppy food selected for a Papillon pup contain the proper ratio of calcium to phosphorus. The correct proportions to look for in the best dog foods for Papillon puppies are 1.2 parts of calcium for every one part of phosphorus.
The ideal food for Papillon puppies should contain a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat with slightly higher amounts also acceptable.
Dietary Requirements for a Papillon Puppy Foods
Papillon puppies benefit from a diet that is well balanced and crafted from only the highest quality ingredients. The best dog foods for Papillon puppies begin with a lean meat-based protein as their foundation. Whole meats are preferred, but experts agree that meat meals are also of exceptional quality, offering a concentrated powerhouse punch of amino acids.
Since Papillon puppies can be predisposed to allergies, by-products and plant-based proteins such as soy, wheat, and corn are best avoided. In addition to this, owners should carefully avoid diets that are prepared including the use of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. These ingredients offer no nutritional benefit to Papillon puppies and can lead to future skin and stomach sensitivities in some dogs.
Carbohydrates in any good quality food suited to Papillon puppies can be derived from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. The primary role of any carbohydrate in a diet for puppies is its high dietary fiber and antioxidant content. All carbohydrates in the Papillon puppy’s diet should encourage healthy digestive processes and a strong immune system.
No diet for a Papillon puppy is complete without the healthy fats that promote skin and coat health and assist with vision and brain development. These are best derived from animal origins and include such foods as chicken fat and oily fish.
Supplements can also provide added health benefits for Papillon puppies. The most desirable supplements to look for in a good quality food for the Papillon include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Papillon Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a food for a Papillon puppy:
- Whole proteins heading up the ingredients list
- Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
- Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
- Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
- Includes the correct proportion of calcium to phosphorus to promote a healthy rate of bone growth