How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Scottish Terrier Puppies
The Scottish Terrier puppy is a true delight. Mischievous, graceful, and full of fun, the Scottish Terrier is a loyal and loving family companion that takes great pleasure in enjoying the company of those it loves most.
A dog breed with a very strong personality, the Scottish Terrier has a mind of its own. Naturally wary of strangers, the Scottish Terrier puppy should be permitted to formulate its own opinions when introduced to new people and things. Patience with this breed is greatly rewarded as the Scottie bonds deeply to those it learns to trust. However, the breed is quite unforgiving when offended.
A busy pup, the Scottish Terrier’s original role was hunting small game such as badgers and fox alongside its owner. As such, this breed has exceptionally high prey drive. Though this dog type can live in either an apartment or a house, this pup must be kept in a securely fenced yard at all times when outdoors.
The Scottish Terrier puppy requires regular daily exercise to remain physically and mentally content. Because this pup has energy to spare, it is unlikely to become overweight unless the dog is underexercised or overfed. Free feeding this breed is strongly discouraged.
Highly intelligent, the Scottie has definite opinions of its own. A spirited breed, the Scottish Terrier is often disinterested in learning new things. With creativity, patience, and positive reinforcement training techniques, the Scottish Terrier puppy can be motivated to view training opportunities as fun.
A pup that enjoys time spent with children, the Scottish Terrier puppy makes a good family pet; however, all interactions between this pup and kids should be carefully supervised for safety. The breed is completely intolerant of rough handling and will bite if feeling annoyed, threatened, or bullied.
There are several health conditions the Scottish Terrier puppy can be predisposed to developing. Among the most common problems that can befall this breed are cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, neurological issues, several types of cancer, hypothyroidism, bladder stones, deafness, hemophilia, and Cushing’s disease. The best dog foods for Scottish Terrier puppies are puppy formulations that contain supplements to support eye health.
Ideally, the Scottish Terrier puppy’s diet should contain a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat. Also important in a puppy food for this lively breed is that it contain the correct amounts of calcium to phosphorus to encourage a healthy rate of growth. This is considered to be 1.2 parts of calcium for each part of phosphorus.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Scottish Terrier Puppies
The Scottish Terrier puppy is a lively, little pup, requiring a high quality puppy food that is based on easily digestible ingredients and a lean meat to attain optimal health and wellness. Once the appropriate diet has been selected, it is then time to determine how much of the food to feed the pup. The best dog foods for Scottish Terrier puppies are careful to offer suggested serving sizes based on age and weight. These can be adjusted incrementally until the proper portion has been found to support a healthy rate of growth and an excellent body condition.
The Scottish Terrier puppy should never be free fed. All meals should be measured and all intake carefully monitored. It is recommended that this busy and spirited breed receive three to four mini meals spread throughout the day to keep its energy levels primed.
Dietary Requirements for Scottish Terrier Puppy Foods
A meat lover, the Scottish Terrier puppy does best on a diet that is comprised of high quality, easily digestible ingredients and that is based on a lean, meat-based protein. The best dog foods for Scottish Terrier puppies include a whole meat as their foundation. However, meat meals are also an excellent option, providing a powerhouse punch of the nutrients required for a healthy body.
By-products are sourced from parts of an animal that are less desirable for human consumption. They are often more difficult for puppies to process. The plant proteins soy, corn, and wheat are common allergens for many dogs. These ingredients are all best avoided if possible. Likewise, other ingredients to stay away from in a diet for the Scottish Terrier puppy are chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are all excellent choices for foods that are rich in the fiber and antioxidants required of high quality carbohydrates for the Scottish Terrier puppy. These ingredients contain the optimal nutrients to assist with healthy digestion and a strong immune system.
No diet is complete without the addition of healthy fats. It is from these essential fatty acids that the Scottish Terrier puppy gains the nutrients to enjoy optimal coat and skin health, strong reserves of energy, and support for brain and eye development. The ideal sources for these fats are foods such as chicken fat and oily fish.
Supplements help a food to work its most effectively. The best supplements for the Scottish Terrier puppy are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Scottish Terrier Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Scottish Terrier puppy:
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Lean, meat-based proteins listed at the beginning of the ingredients list
Scottish Terrier puppies do best on a diet that is based on a lean, meat-based protein. Whole meats or meat meals provide the ideal foundation for an exceptional quality diet for this hardy pup. By-products and the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat are best 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
The most beneficial supplements for the Scottish Terrier puppy are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All puppy foods considered for the Scottish Terrier pup should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it is a complete and balanced diet.