How to Choose the Best Dog Food for the Pekingese
The elegant Pekingese traces its roots to ancient China where the breed ruled the roost as a favorite companion of royalty. A dog always intended to function as a cherished pet, the Pekingese was considered the canine of choice of the upper class, but today, this charming pooch has gained great popularity in homes throughout the globe regardless of economic station.
The Pekingese is easily recognizable by its long, flowing, lion-like coat and large round eyes. This breed moves with its own unique “swagger,” charming people far and wide with its distinctive lumber.
A breed renowned for being quite smart, the Pekingese can be a very stubborn dog, making training a complicated task. The Pekingese fully subscribes to its own self-importance, and this independent thinking means owners must use novel training methods to help this breed decide that learning new skills is an excellent idea. Praise and treats are the best way to teach the Pekingese that training can be fun.
The Pekingese bonds deeply with its family and eagerly lavishes affection upon them. However, this breed is naturally suspicious of strangers and will alert bark at their presence. The Pekingese enjoys the sound of its own voice, barking frequently. To ensure happy relations with neighbors, this breed should be taught a “no bark” command.
Though small of size, the Pekingese is an exceptionally brave and forthright dog. Loyal to its core, the Pekingese will protect its family from any perceived threat, no matter how dangerous it may be.
The Pekingese is not a great choice for families with children as the breed is intolerant of rough handling and foolishness. If poked, prodded, or stepped on, this breed will bite without hesitation. Likewise, the Pekingese is not always a fan of the company of other dogs though they can live quite peaceably with other Pekingese.
This delightful dog type has excessive grooming requirements, necessitating daily combing to prevent matting from occurring. Many breeders recommend clipping the Pekingese’s coat to reduce the amount of maintenance required.
Because the Pekingese possesses a snub nose, the breed cannot tolerate extremes of exercise and can suffer from breathing problems. As a result, it is vitally important that the Pekingese be fed a carefully measured diet with all intake monitored to prevent this breed from becoming overweight. Excess weight on the joints can aggravate another condition that the Pekingese can be predisposed to: patellar luxation. A premium food formulation that contains supplements to support joint health is recommended for this breed.
The best dog foods for Pekingese contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for the Pekingese
The mature Pekingese requires a diet comprised of top quality ingredients to achieve and maintain a healthy body condition. As a breed that can be predisposed to patellar luxation, it is crucial that the Pekingese be kept at a healthy weight. For this reason, free feeding this breed is strongly discouraged.
Determining how much food to feed a Pekingese can feel like a daunting task. Commercially prepared diets are required by law to list suggested serving sizes on their packaging. Owners can use these suggestions as a starting point, adjusting the amounts as needed until the correct portion is found. The dog’s weight, activity level, and appetite will all serve as helpful guides.
Dietary Requirements for Pekingese Dog Foods
Pekingese thrive on a well balanced diet that makes a lean, meat-based protein the foundation of its formulation. The best dog foods for the Pekingese include whole meats or meat meals as their primary ingredient. By-products are often yielded from parts of an animal that are difficult for dogs to process and utilize effectively. For this reason, they are less desirable in a diet for the Pekingese.
Plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are common allergens for many dogs and offer less nutritional value than meats. Diets containing these items are best left on the shelf. Other ingredients to avoid in a food for the Pekingese are additives, chemicals, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Carbohydrates provide the Pekingese with support for healthy digestion and a strong immune system. These ingredients may come in the form of fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. Pekingese that have previously expressed some food sensitivities may do best on a grain-free diet. The primary importance of any included carbohydrate is its high concentration of antioxidants and dietary fiber.
All diets require the addition of healthy fats to encourage healthy coat and skin and fuel energy reserves in dogs. Animal fats such as chicken fat or oily fish are the best options; however, certain plant-based oils such as safflower, canola, and coconut also offer a powerhouse punch of essential nutrients the Pekingese needs to thrive.
It is always a great idea to look for a food that includes supplements in its recipe. Among the most beneficial supplements for the Pekingese are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Pekingese
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Pekingese:
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Lean, meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
The best dog foods for the Pekingese include a lean, meat-based protein as their foundational ingredient. Whole meats or meat meals are the preferred choice.
By-products and plant-based proteins such as corn, soy, and wheat are best avoided entirely.
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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 Pekingese. Diets that include these items should be left on the shelf as they can lead to allergic reactions in this sensitive breed.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Supplements can be of great benefit to the Pekingese. The ideal 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 Pekingese should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.