How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppies
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy is a soft-hearted pup of impressive musculature. The breed is well renowned for its deeply affectionate nature. Though initially bred to serve as a fighting dog in a pit, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy is a true lover and not a fighter.
A dog with an exceptionally playful side, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy makes an excellent family companion. The breed is quite good with children, displaying gentleness and patience when spending time with them.
By nature, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy is a sociable creature, enjoying the company of people. The breed is extremely versatile and is happiest when fully involved in its family’s lifestyle whether their activities include car rides, hikes in the woods, or simply lounging on the couch watching a movie. Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies also excel at many different active pursuits including such things as flyball, obedience, Rally, agility, conformation, therapy work, and much more.
A breed of natural athleticism and great muscular prowess, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy does require regular daily exercise to remain physically and mentally content. Though if properly exercised and not overfed this breed should not be predisposed to weight gain, free feeding is still strongly discouraged. Because of its short, stocky body and love of food, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy can become overweight if its food is not measured and its intake monitored, putting excess strain on the dog’s joints.
Typically, a very healthy breed, there are some health issues that Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies can be predisposed to developing. These include hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, allergies, and cataracts. To ensure an excellent foundation for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy’s health, it is a good idea for owners to select a diet that includes supplements that support eye, joint, and coat and skin health. The ideal supplements to look for in a diet for this breed include glucosamine, chondroitin, and DHA and ARA.
The best dog foods for Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies should contain approximately 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat. It is best to feed this growing and active pup a puppy food formulation until the puppy reaches one year of age. Another critical component of the ideal diet for this pup is that it contains the correct proportions of calcium to phosphorus to promote proper growth. This is rated as 1.2 parts of calcium for each included unit of phosphorus.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppies
Trying to determine how much of a food to feed an active puppy can feel like a very difficult task. Thankfully, the best dog foods for Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies list suggested serving sizes on the side of their packaging. This is often a helpful starting point that can be adjusted as needed until the appropriate meal portion is found. The puppy’s age, weight, activity level, and appetite all help with ascertaining the correct amount.
Because the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy is highly active, it is recommended that this breed be fed several smaller meals throughout the day to keep its energy levels stoked. Free feeding is discouraged to prevent the pup from overeating and possibly becoming overweight.
Dietary Requirements for Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppy Foods
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy is a carnivore, and thus, needs a diet that utilizes meat as the foundation of its recipe. The best dog foods for Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies base their formula on a whole meat or meat meal that is rich in amino acids and easy for pups to digest. By-products and plant-based proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are best avoided as they are more difficult for pups to process and can be common allergens for many dogs. Other ingredients of no nutritional benefit to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy include chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy can be predisposed to allergies. Dogs that have previously expressed food related allergies may do best on a grain-free diet. Otherwise, carbohydrates may come from antioxidant and fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to support good digestion and a healthy immune system.
Healthy fats are the building blocks the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy needs to enjoy coat and skin health, strong energy reserves, and support for cognitive and vision development. These are best obtained from animal sources such as oily fish and chicken fat.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Staffordshire Bull Terrier Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy:
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Lean, meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
The ideal diet for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy bases its recipe on a lean meat. The best options are whole meats or meat meals. Because plant-based proteins and by-products are not as nutritionally viable, these ingredients are best avoided in a food for this active pup.
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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 an Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy. Diets containing any of these items are best left on the shelf.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
The most beneficial supplements for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.