How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Shar-Pei Puppies
The Shar-Pei puppy has a unique appearance that charms each person the pup meets. From its adorable wrinkly body to its distinctive blue-black tongue, the Shar-Pei puppy catches attention wherever it goes. An ancient breed that traces its roots to China as far back 200 B.C, the Shar-Pei served as both a hunting dog and a guardian. In later years, the breed was utilized as a fighting dog in pits until its owners discovered greater success with dogs of larger size and gameness.
Though loving to its family, the Shar-Pei puppy is a decidedly aloof pooch with strangers. A dog with a penchant for guarding, the Shar-Pei, even as a young pup, will become defensive when unfamiliar people approach. The breed does not always get along well with other household pets, and thus, a single dog home may be best for this highly intelligent breed.
The Shar-Pei puppy possesses natural intelligence and has the potential to learn new skills with ease. However, the Shar-Pei is a very independent thinker and is motivated by its own choices not by those of an owner. However, this breed needs an owner that is committed to establishing boundaries and expecting the puppy to learn and to obey for its own safety.
A dog with only moderate activity requirements, the Shar-Pei puppy still does best in a home with a fenced yard. Exercise should be done during moderate temperatures as this breed overheats easily. The breed is not predisposed to becoming overweight, yet it is still recommended that the Shar-Pei puppy’s food be measured and all intake monitored to prevent obesity from occurring.
Though typically a very healthy breed, the Shar-Pei puppy can be predisposed to developing hip and elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation. To support healthy joints, it is vitally important that this breed be kept at the ideal weight.
The best dog foods for Shar-Pei puppies consist of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat at a minimum. Also important in any puppy food for the Shar-Pei pup is that the diet includes the correct proportions of calcium to phosphorus. Experts agree that this is considered to be 1.2 parts of calcium for each unit of phosphorus.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Shar-Pei Puppies
Determining the correct portion size to feed a Shar-Pei pup can be a challenging task. The best dog foods for Shar-Pei puppies list suggested meal amounts on the side of their packaging. It is recommended that these be utilized as a starting point. Adjustments can be made based on the puppy’s weight, activity level, and appetite until the proper portion has been found.
Free feeding the Shar-Pei puppy is strongly discouraged. All meals should be carefully measured. Monitoring all food the Shar-Pei puppy receives is key to maintaining a healthy body weight.
Dietary Requirements for Shar-Pei Puppy Foods
The Shar-Pei puppy benefits from a diet that is based on a lean, meat-based protein. The best dog foods for Shar-Pei puppies list a whole meat or meat meal as their foundational ingredient. By-products and plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are often utilized as protein sources in inferior quality diets. Since these ingredients are common allergens for many dogs and are difficult to digest, foods containing them are best avoided.
Chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives can be found in many different commercially prepared diets. These ingredients do not provide any nutritional benefit to the Shar-Pei puppy. It is best to leave foods on the shelf that include these items in their recipe.
Carbohydrates help the Shar-Pei puppy to attain good digestion and a healthy immune system. Carbohydrates can come from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. Dogs that have previously expressed sensitivities to grains may do best on a grain-free diet. The most important aspect of any included carbohydrate is its concentration of antioxidants and dietary fiber.
From healthy fats, the Shar-Pei puppy gains fuel for its energy reserves, support for coat and skin health, and a boost for cognitive and vision development. The ideal source for these fats is animal-based and includes such foods as oily fish and chicken fat. Some plant-based oils such as canola and safflower also offer excellent amounts of these important nutrients.
Supplements added to a food can help promote greater health in the Shar-Pei puppy. The most beneficial supplements to look for in a diet for this breed include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Shar-Pei Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in a food for an Shar-Pei puppy:
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Lean, meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
The best dog foods for Shar-Pei puppies base their formulation on a lean meat. Whole meats are the ideal choice, but meat meals are also an excellent option.
By-products and the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat are not as nutritionally viable, and thus, are best avoided.
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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 a growing Shar-Pei puppy. Diets that are based upon any of these items are not suited to the needs of this breed.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
It is always a great idea to select a diet that includes supplements to help boost the effectiveness of a food. The most beneficial supplements for the Shar-Pei puppy 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 Shar-Pei puppy should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.