How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Whippet Puppies
The elegant Whippet puppy possesses the lithe and graceful body of an athlete. A breed believed to have originated in the late 1700s, the Whippet’s original purpose was small game and rabbit hunting. When its owners discovered the breed’s natural talent as a racer, the Whippet moved from the field to the racetrack, a job at which this dog type has always excelled.
The Whippet puppy retains its strong prey drive. Though this pup can live peaceably in a multi-dog home, it is not advisable that this pooch share its house with cats. Because this dog’s game nature compels it to chase anything that moves, the Whippet puppy is a natural born escape artist. For this reason, the breed does best in a home with a large and securely fenced yard.
Though calm and quiet indoors, the Whippet puppy does require regular daily exercise to remain content. Shorter, more frequent exercise sessions are recommended while the Whippet is yet a pup. If the Whippet is not properly exercised, nuisance behaviors can develop. If underexercised or overfed, the Whippet puppy can be predisposed to becoming overweight.
A loving and affectionate family companion, the Whippet is happiest in the company of its family. However, this breed can be standoffish and naturally wary of strangers.
The Whippet puppy typically enjoys excellent health; however, this breed can be prone to developing eye problems. A diet rich in DHA and ARA is recommended to support eye health. The best dog foods for Whippet puppies contain a minimum of 22 percent protein and 8 percent fat. Also important in a diet for this sophisticated pup is that the correct amount of calcium to phosphorus (1.2 parts calcium to phosphorus) is included to promote a healthy rate of bone growth.
Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Whippet Puppies
Whippet puppies are both active and athletic. To support their busy lifestyles, they require a diet that is moderate in both protein and fat and well-balanced to support their nutritional needs.
Determining how much of a high quality diet to feed a pup can pose a challenge. The best dog foods for Whippet puppies list suggested serving sizes on their packaging, and these can serve as a helpful starting point. These suggestions are based on age and weight and should be adjusted with the dog’s body condition, activity level, and appetite serving as helpful guides until the proper amount is found.
Free feeding Whippet puppies is not recommended. To maintain eating satisfaction, experts agree that this pup should receive smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day as opposed to two large meals morning and night. All intake should be measured and monitored to ensure a healthy body weight.
Dietary Requirements for Whippet Puppy Foods
Whippet puppies require a diet that contains moderate amounts of protein and fat and that is based on a lean meat to thrive. The best dog foods for Whippet puppies take a whole meat or meat meal as the basis of their foundation. By-products and plant-based proteins, though popular in many commercially prepared diets, are of poor nutritional quality and are best avoided.
Many diets also like to add ingredients such as chemicals, additives, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives to their recipe. These types of ingredients can trigger allergic reactions in some dogs and offer no nutritional benefits to the Whippet puppy. Diets which contain these ingredients are best left on the shelf.
Healthy fats give the Whippet puppy fuel to enjoy a busy lifestyle, support for cognitive and vision development, and strength for coat and skin health. The ideal sources for these fats are animal-based and include such foods as chicken fat and oily fish. Another great option is the plant-based oils canola, safflower, and coconut; all ingredients that offer bountiful amounts of the essential fatty acids Whippet puppies need.
Carbohydrates that are easy to digest form an important part of the Whippet puppy’s diet. These can come from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, or a combination of the three. The ideal carbohydrates included in any diet for the Whippet puppy are rich in both antioxidants and fiber to support good digestion and a healthy immune system.
The best dog foods for Whippet puppies contain supplements to assist with the achievement of optimal health and wellness. The most beneficial supplements to look for in a food for this pup are prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Things to Look for in the Best Dog Food for Whippet Puppies
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Whippet puppy:
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Lean, meat-based proteins listed at the beginning of the ingredients list
Whippet puppies do best on a diet that is based on a lean, meat-based protein. The recommended foundation for a diet for this pup is a whole meat or meat meal. By-products and the plant-based proteins soy, corn, and wheat should be avoided.
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Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients
Unnecessary add-ons that provide no positive nutritional impact such as chemicals, fillers, colors, flavors, or mystery ingredients should be avoided. These can have harmful effects on the Whippet puppy’s system and can even lead to allergic reactions.
Any of the aforementioned items are hallmarks of a low-quality food that is not suitable for a growing Whippet puppy’s daily needs.
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Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements
Supplements help the Whippet puppy by boosting its nutrition with additional support. The most beneficial supplements for Whippet pups 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 Whippet pup should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it is a complete and balanced diet.