How to Select the Best Dog Food for Rat Terrier Puppies
The charming little Rat Terrier puppy is an adorable bundle of energy and fun. A breed that once faced extinction; today, the Rat Terrier is regaining popularity amongst families that enjoy this dog’s spiritedness and loyalty.
The Rat Terrier’s original purpose was to protect its master’s property and keep it free from rodents, a job at which this feisty little dog excelled. Though many people mistakenly think this largely white pooch is a Jack Russell Terrier or a Smooth Fox Terrier, its distinctive prick ears are only one feature that identifies it as its own breed.
Rat Terrier puppies can be a challenge to train, being obstinate by nature. An exceptionally intelligent breed, it is vitally important that the Rat Terrier puppy’s brain is productively engaged and that the pup receives regular exercise. This is key to discouraging the development of nuisance behaviors. If not kept occupied, the Rat Terrier puppy will find its own things to do, invariably things their owners would prefer they not engage in include digging, escapism, and nuisance barking.
The Rat Terrier puppy has a unique vocalization that is all its own. To keep healthy neighborly relations, it is important for the Rat Terrier puppy’s family to teach it a “no bark” or “good quiet” command early on.
A breed with lots of energy to expend, the Rat Terrier puppy will not be predisposed to gaining weight if properly exercised every day. This is also important in helping this typically healthy pooch to maintain a good body condition, an important component of preventing such problems as hip dysplasia.
One issue that can be common to Rat Terrier puppies is allergies. These can be environmental or food-related. Rat Terrier puppies that have expressed sensitivities to certain foods in the past may do best on a grain-free diet and should avoid foods containing such common allergens as soy, corn, and wheat. In addition to this, chemicals, additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors and colors should be avoided.
The best dog foods for Rat Terrier puppies should contain a minimum of 22 percent protein and 9 percent fat. In addition to this, it is important that the selected diet include the correct ratio of calcium to phosphorus to support a healthy rate of bone growth. This is rated as 1.2 parts of calcium for each included unit of phosphorus.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Rat Terrier Puppies
Because Rat Terrier puppies are full of vim and vigor, they need a diet comprised of only the finest ingredients to ensure optimal health and wellness. The best dog foods for Rat Terrier puppies offer suggested serving sizes as a helpful starting point for owners. These can be adjusted with the dog’s weight, age, activity level, and appetite all serving as important guidelines until the correct portion has been determined.
Instead of being predisposed to weight gain, the busy Rat Terrier puppy may become underweight as the breed is so active it will often forget to stop to eat. To prevent this, all meals should be measured and meal times carefully monitored. Free feeding is strongly discouraged as it can be difficult for an owner to ascertain how much food their puppy is truly eating.
Dietary Requirements for Rat Terrier Puppy Foods
Rat Terrier puppies, like all dogs, are carnivores. In order for this breed to enjoy optimal health, it is vitally important that this pup be fed a diet that bases its recipe on a lean meat. The best dog foods for Rat Terrier puppies take a lean, whole meat as their foundation; however, meat meals also offer an exceptional amount of concentrated nutrients.
By-products are a common ingredient in many dog foods; however, these are typically taken from inferior cuts of the animal and can be very difficult for puppies to digest. Diets that contain these items are best avoided. Other ingredients that are not suited to a Rat Terrier puppy include the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat, and chemicals, additives, preservatives, artificial flavors, and colors.
Carbohydrates play an important role in the Rat Terrier puppy’s diet, assisting with the development of a strong immune system and supporting healthy digestion. These can be obtained from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables; however, Rat Terrier puppies that have allergies may benefit from a grain-free diet. Of the greatest importance in any carbohydrate included in the Rat Terrier puppy’s diet is its amount of antioxidants and dietary fiber.
It is from healthy fats that the Rat Terrier puppy gains a boost for brain and eye development, support for coat and skin health, and fuel for strong energy reserves. These healthy fats are best included from animal sources such as chicken fat and oily fish. However, the plant-based oils coconut, canola, and safflower are also excellent contributors of the essential fatty acids puppies need.
It is always a great idea to consider a food that contains supplements as these can help the Rat Terrier puppy’s diet to work most effectively. Among the most beneficial supplements for Rat Terrier puppies are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Rat Terrier Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Rat Terrier puppy:
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Lean meat-based proteins listed at the beginning of the ingredients list
Since Rat Terrier puppies require a diet that is based on lean meat-based proteins to thrive, it is best to look for a diet that includes a high quality meat as its primary ingredient. Whole meats are the preferred option, but meat meals also offer exceptional concentrated protein sources.
Since by-products and plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are not of sufficient quality to meet the nutritional needs of the Rat Terrier puppy, foods containing these items should be avoided.
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Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Chemicals, flavorings, fillers, and mystery ingredients add no nutritional value to a food. Any puppy food that contains any of these elements should be avoided.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Supplements can greatly aid the Rat Terrier puppy as it grows. The ideal supplements to look for in a food for this breed include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All puppy foods considered for the Rat Terrier pup should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it is a complete and balanced diet.