How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Weimaraner Puppies
The silly nature of the Weimaraner puppy is hard to resist. A little clumsy and awkward during its puppy phases, this breed’s natural clown-like ways is all a part of its whimsy and charm. A large breed puppy, the Weimaraner takes up to two years to reach full maturity. During its initial puppy year, this pup should be fed a large breed puppy food until it reaches 12 months of age or 75 percent of its adult size.
Loyal, loving, and with energy to spare, the Weimaraner puppy makes both an excellent working dog and a devoted family companion. A breed developed in Germany in the 19th century, the Weimaraner’s original purpose was to accompany its owner on hunts for large game. Over the years, as these larger species became more challenging to find, the Weimaraner was transitioned to hunting smaller animals including birds. Today, the breed is considered a valuable gun dog.
A versatile and athletic breed, the Weimaraner puppy has high energy reserves that must be expended each day. The breed excels at many activities including field trials, scent detection, tracking, agility, obedience, and more.
The Weimaraner puppy is considered to be a large breed pup, and thus, can be predisposed to developing bloat. Though experts do not yet understand what causes this life-threatening condition, it is believed that eating too quickly and too much may be contributing factors. For this reason, owners are encouraged to feed a large breed puppy kibble since the pieces are substantial enough that the Weimaraner pup will be forced to eat more slowly, chewing each bite.
To promote excellent health in the Weimaraner as well as a healthy rate of growth, this pup should be fed a diet that contains 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat. The best dog foods for Weimaraner puppies contain a moderate amount of protein. Also vitally important are the proportions of calcium to phosphorus included in the diet. 1.2 parts of calcium for each unit of phosphorus is considered to be ideal.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Weimaraner Puppies
Since Weimaraner puppies are highly active, they require a diet that is well-balanced and specifically formulated to meet their every need. This delightful pup should be fed a large breed puppy recipe to ensure a healthy rate of growth. When the Weimaraner puppy reaches 12 months of age or 75 percent of its adult size, it should then be transitioned to an appropriate adult diet.
Determining how much of the best dog food for Weimaraner puppies to feed can be a difficult task. AAFCO requires all commercial pet foods to list suggested serving sizes on the side of their bag. These serve as an excellent starting point and can be adjusted until the correct portion is found.
Free feeding is strongly discouraged as it can easily lead to too rapid eating. In addition to this, dogs that are allowed to eat as often and as much as they choose can easily become overweight. To avoid this, carefully measure and monitor all food intake the Weimaraner puppy receives.
Dietary Requirements for Weimaraner Puppy Foods
The best dog foods for Weimaraner puppies include whole meats as their preferred basis; however, meat meals are also an excellent source of concentrated proteins. What is not ideal for a growing Weimaraner puppy is a diet that includes plant-based proteins or by-products in its formulation. Soy, wheat, and corn in particular should be avoided as they have been linked to the development of food sensitivities in many dogs.
Carbohydrates play an important role in any diet suited to the needs of the Weimaraner puppy. These can come from whole grains, fruits, or vegetables. The main role of carbohydrates included in a food for this highly active breed is its fiber and antioxidant content. Carbohydrates help to support good digestion and the development of a healthy immune system.
The importance of healthy fats in the Weimaraner puppy’s diet cannot be overemphasized. The correct fats fuel the puppy’s energy levels, allowing it to enjoy an active lifestyle. Additionally, these same fats support both coat and skin health as well as cognitive and vision development in pups. Healthy fats are best derived from animal origins such as chicken fat and oily fish but can also come from ingredients such as canola and safflower oils.
Supplements help a diet to be well-rounded and more effective for the Weimaraner puppy. The most beneficial supplements to look for in a food are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Weimaraner Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best food for a Weimaraner puppy:
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Meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list
A lean, high quality meat should be the primary ingredient in any food suited to the nutritional needs of the growing Weimaraner puppy. Whole meats and meat meals are preferred.
Foods that base their foundation on plant proteins or by-products should be 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 Weimaraner puppy. Avoid foods containing these ingredients.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
It is always a good idea to look for a food that includes supplements to support the Weimaraner puppy’s health and development. The most beneficial supplements to consider are glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.
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Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food
All foods appropriate for the Weimaraner puppy should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.