When do you feed hunting dogs? Should you feed your dog while hunting? Caring for hunting dogs

N. N. Vlasov, chapter from the book “Hunting Dog Breeding”.

For the normal functioning of a hunting dog, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, mineral salts and vitamins are necessary. Sources of protein are meat and fish products. Dairy products (buttermilk, skimmed milk) are no less valuable. Carbohydrates contain flour products and potatoes. Animal fats, fish oil and margarine are used. Mineral salts (sodium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, etc.), necessary for the body for the formation of bone and muscle tissue and digestion, are included in all feeds. Vitamins are found in vegetables, herbs, and fruits.

The daily diet of a dog in factory condition includes (per 1 kg of its weight): 4-5 g of protein, 12-15 g of carbohydrates, 1-2 g of fat (if kept in an enclosure in winter, the fat rate doubles) .

The most nutritious food for dogs is meat products and meat waste. They are digested faster and easier. The liver, heart, kidneys, udder, spleen are highly nutritious; the lungs, mesentery, intestinal cuttings, and stomach are somewhat less nutritious. Meat products also include raw bones (except tubular ones) and meat and bone meal. Once a week, it is useful to feed half a portion of meat products raw - to puppies in the form of minced meat, and starting from 7-8 months, when all the permanent teeth appear, - in chopped pieces. Only fresh meat products can be given raw. When cooked, they lose up to 60% of vitamin B, chlorides and phosphates, and changes occur in protein. Meat waste from the intestines and stomach is fed only in boiled form due to the possibility of pathogenic bacteria being found in them.

Bones in large quantities are not only unnecessary, but also dangerous food. An excess of them in a dog’s diet causes severe chronic constipation and sometimes intestinal obstruction, which can be fatal. Chips of tubular bones seriously injure the dog’s oral cavity and esophagus, sometimes causing intestinal perforation. But the ends of flat bones with cartilaginous ends, introduced into the food in moderation, add variety to the food. They contain phosphorus, calcium and sulfur. By chewing bones, the dog strengthens its teeth and satisfies its need for mineral salts.

In canine literature it would be more correct to write “meat products” rather than “meat”. Hunters, as a rule, do not feed adult dogs the meat that goes into human food, but use mainly meat waste (cuts, cartilage, captives - meat cutting waste), some offal, bones, as well as animal and bird cutting waste - heads , legs, wings, lungs, spleen, intestines, stomach, mesenteries. Meat waste from game birds is given to cops and detection dogs only in boiled form, so that the dogs do not subsequently begin to tear or crush the birds being apported. Meat products from the slaughter of livestock are replaced with meat from marine animals, sea fish, and horse meat.

Once a week, it is useful to introduce raw ocean fish into your diet, which contains a lot of easily digestible proteins, phosphorus, vitamin A, iodine, and bone meal.

Also, once a week, the dog is given a raw egg along with food. Raw eggs are beneficial for sick and convalescent dogs and for breeders before breeding. Raw pork or minced pork, raw river or lake fish should not be introduced into the food to exclude the possibility of infecting the animal with worms or tapeworm. In addition, raw pork fat is difficult to digest and can cause gastrointestinal problems.

Plant foods are an indispensable addition to meat and fish feed, a source of additional energy for the body. Semi-liquid semolina, millet, rice, barley porridges are well digestible, but the best cereal is oatmeal - it is easily digested and helps strengthen muscles. Oatmeal (raw or lightly scalded with boiling water) is used to season soups or milk. Protein-rich soybeans are especially good in feed. Peas, lentils, beans, even if they are pre-chopped, are more difficult to digest and cause fermentation and the formation of gases in the intestines.

Vegetables, especially fresh ones, are an irreplaceable source of vitamins. Carrots, rich in vitamin A, are especially valuable and are best fed grated. Potatoes are given in limited quantities and only boiled. Dogs eat well boiled or steamed pumpkin added to food, which also has an anthelmintic effect. Fresh fruits and berries are given in moderation. Plant food is also a good filler for the digestive tract, making the dog feel full.

Bread must be added to milk or liquid soup in a stale or slightly dried form - it is quickly saturated with saliva and gastric juice and, therefore, is better digested. By eating crackers (especially rye), the dog strengthens and at the same time cleans its teeth.

Milk is given fresh or fermented; sour milk causes indigestion. Long-term milk feeding of adult dogs leads to obesity and sluggish digestion.

An integral part of a dog's diet is table salt. When preparing soup or porridge, do not forget to add half as much salt as for humans.

Canned food and leftover food can be used as food for an adult dog. They are also used to make soups, adding fats, cereals, vegetables, and, immediately before feeding, bread. At the same time, the food should not contain any remnants of hot seasonings, pepper, mustard, vinegar, or other spices that reduce the sense of smell and lead to kidney disease.

In summer, food is prepared thinner, in winter - thicker. Its temperature should not exceed 30°C. Do not feed sour, fermented or frozen food. Food should be fresh and varied, which is achieved by alternating meat, fish, dairy and vegetarian days. You cannot raise a full-fledged hunting dog on bread and potatoes alone.

Table 1. Content of nutrients and mineral salts in feed and their energy value.

The amount of feed fed should not be excessive. If the dog completely eats his portion and licks the bowl, this indicates his good appetite. An average-sized hunting dog, when kept in an enclosure in factory condition, eats 1-1.2 liters per feeding (with two meals a day), and 0.8-1 liters when kept indoors. complete food in the form of thick soups and semi-liquid cereals. The nutritional value and energy value of the feed are calculated based on the data in the table. 1. In a normally feeding dog, the muscles are clearly defined and elastic; when turning the body, the ribs are slightly visible.

Overfeeding a dog, excessively giving sweets, throwing pieces of food outside of feeding time quickly lead to metabolic disorders, obesity, shortness of breath, diseases of the heart, kidneys, and skin. The dog's relatively short intestinal tract is not adapted to digest large quantities of plant foods. Enhanced nutrition is given to dogs during hunts, during periods of seasonal shedding, during illnesses and follow-up treatment, and to bitches also during pregnancy and nursing puppies.

The dog should not be allowed to go hungry. With a lack of food, she loses weight, becomes weak and easily susceptible to disease. For a stud dog that will have no more than 5 matings in a season, the feed rate is not increased, but 3-4 weeks before mating, the diet is enriched with proteins and vitamins.

The dog is fed from a separate bowl and, regardless of age, at a strictly defined time. Its digestive activity is carried out reflexively, and at the time set for food intake, saliva and gastric juice are intensively released. You should not give food to dogs by throwing it on the floor. After feeding, the remaining food is removed, and clean drinking water is poured into the washed bowl. An adult dog's water requirement is 1.5-2 liters. per day.

Particular attention must be paid to the diet of puppies, the regularity of their feeding from the time they are weaned from their mother until they reach 11-12 months of age, when their growth is basically complete and their body is stronger. At 1.5-2 months. they are fed 6 times a day every 3 hours, carefully ensuring that the puppies do not overeat. With age, portions are increased, reducing the frequency of feedings to 5 times a day at 2-3 months. and 4 times - at 4-5 months.. At 6-7 months. switch to 3 meals a day, and after 12-14 months. - 2 meals a day.

A small puppy should eat fresh milk, kefir, cottage cheese, raw eggs, butter, minced beef, meat broth with pieces of dried white bread, liquid milk semolina, rice or oatmeal, grated carrots and finely chopped greens. Cheese is very healthy. The puppy's growing body is in dire need of mineral nutrition. However, you should not give your puppy sugar, which can cause itching and partial hair loss.

Good feeding is the introduction into the diet of easily digestible food containing complete proteins, well-digestible fats, minerals and vitamins necessary for the puppy’s body during this period of its growth. Feed the puppy in moderate portions so that he remains mobile and inclined to play. The volume of his stomach, depending on his age, is 0.3-0.5 liters; overfilling is unacceptable. The puppy should eat each portion of food and lick the bowl. If he does not do this, then the amount of food is reduced. Leftover food is removed. Under no circumstances should you give your puppy sour or fermented food.

Approximate diets for puppies of service breeds are also suitable for hunting puppies. S. and L. Nikolaev proposed the following distribution of food products during the day: in the morning (7-8 hours) cottage cheese with milk; in the afternoon (11-12 hours) vegetable stew with meat broth or milk; in the afternoon (15-16 hours) porridge or thick soups with milk or meat broth; in the evening (19-20 hours) meat, cut into small pieces (occasionally minced meat), along with vegetables, soups or cereals; in the late evening (10-11 p.m.) lightly sweetened kefir or yogurt.

For normal development, the puppy requires phosphorus and calcium. To do this, he is given daily glycerophosphate and calcium gluconate at the rate determined by the veterinarian, a teaspoon of fish oil and finely crushed eggshells. From 5 months of age, the amount of fish oil is increased to a tablespoon per day. Once a day, pharmaceutical sulfur is added to food on the tip of a sharp knife. Next to the food bowl, place a plate with pieces of chalk and dry brewer's or nutritional yeast. Yeast is an easily digestible form of vegetable protein, rich in vitamins.

From 2 months of age it is useful to periodically, but in a limited manner, give raw cartilage, and from 4-5 months - soft beef and veal bones. The puppy should not be allowed to feel thirsty - there should always be clean drinking water in his bowl.

With mother's milk, the puppy received all the substances necessary for growth. After weaning from the mother and until the age of 6 months, until his body is stronger, with a lack of calcium salts, phosphoric acid and vitamins A and D in the feed, he will inevitably develop rickets. To prevent it, in addition to good conditions of detention, enhanced nutritious nutrition is required. The puppy's food includes both phosphorus and calcium, as well as vitamins (often multivitamins). It is necessary to add a teaspoon of meat or fish and bone meal to the liquid food every day, and periodically, like an adult dog, give raw chicken eggs and small quantities of raw liver cut into pieces.

Table 2. Daily energy consumption of an adult dog (per 1 kg of weight).

To prevent the puppy from experiencing a lack of vitamins, in the spring and summer, finely chopped greens are added to the food - lettuce, cabbage, spinach, dill, sorrel, parsley, leaves of young nettles and dandelions. The nettle is first scalded with boiling water to destroy the sting of its villi. In the autumn-winter period, one drop of trivitamin (A, D, E) is added to the puppy’s food daily or replaced with fish oil. Activation of the action of vitamin D is achieved through ultraviolet rays, so the puppy needs to be walked in the sun more often.

A dog’s life activity is associated with constant metabolism and energy expenditure, which is replaced by the body with nutrients supplied with food.

Energy expenditure is significantly higher in puppies and young dogs due to the growth of their bone and muscle tissue.

The Finnish company Kenneth Menke FO, specializing in the production of food concentrates for dogs, provides energy consumption standards depending on the live weight of the animals during periods of light physical activity (Table 2).

Food concentrates for dogs and cats in the form of canned food, briquettes, and sausages are produced in some Western European countries. Companies also purchase raw materials for their production in our country. So. in 1987, about 3.5 thousand tons of by-products of the second category, unsuitable for human food, were sold for export. This export item generates several million foreign currency rubles annually. But we should organize the production of such canned food ourselves at the country’s meat processing plants. Selling them on the domestic market will eliminate the consumption of high-quality meat products for feeding dogs in nurseries, security departments and owners, and entering the foreign market will sharply increase the influx of foreign currency through this export item.

– this is the first thing that requires special attention from owners of hunting dogs. This circumstance is due to the fact that dogs of hunting breeds consume a huge amount of energy while hunting, so their food should be rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.

If a hunter wants to conduct a high-quality and successful hunt with his pet, then he should study the topic hunting dog food in all details to know how much, how and in what quantity to give food to the dog.

Many novice hunters believe that they can feed their dogs food that they themselves eat, but this is a big misconception. A dog's body is different from a human's and therefore requires a special diet.

What is the most suitable food for a hunting dog?

You just need to buy complete dog food, which is sold in specialized stores. This is what people say who have no time to cook food for their dog, because they are very busy with their everyday problems.

No dry food from the store can replace a dog’s nutritious food, which is prepared with love by the owner. For such food you need quite a lot of different products, which we will talk about now.

Meat is the basis of a hunting dog’s diet, so it must be constantly available. What kind of meat can you feed your dog? There is no doubt that fatty meat is contraindicated, so your pet should not eat pork.

Mostly chicken or beef is cooked. Raw meat contains more nutrients than cooked meat, but in most cases it is better to cook it.

A dog definitely needs porridge, so the choice of cereals should also be taken seriously, because there are cereals that are harmful to the animal. For example, barley groats clog the intestines, so it is better to give such groats very rarely or avoid them altogether.

Oatmeal is very easily digestible and should be put in first place among cereals for dogs, but it is worth remembering that some dogs get very fat from it.

Rice and buckwheat are also well absorbed by the dog’s body, but you shouldn’t feed them a lot separately, but it’s better to mix them together fifty-fifty.

Dairy products in the form of cottage cheese and milk are also needed for the full functioning of the animal, which are given two or three times over seven days along with raw eggs.

Vegetables and greens are rich in fiber and are given to the dog in the form of chopped pieces. This is how they are better absorbed by the body. If vegetables are finely chopped, they do not have time to fully release all the nutrients.

Quite often they feed the dog carrots and cucumbers, tomatoes and celery, parsley, zucchini, and pumpkin. This is a set of products of plant origin that fills the body with the necessary vitamins.

There are many factors that influence the amount of food for a hunting dog and the frequency of its consumption. For example, for puppies, food should be prepared and given up to 6 times a day until they are 4-5 months old.

When they are 6 months old, food should be given 4 times a day, but after a year the feeding regime goes up to two or three times a day. Don't add too much food. The best option is when the dog experiences slight hunger after finishing its meal.

The amount of food for a dog is absolutely individual, but we can still talk about average values ​​that are typical for medium-sized breeds.

For example, a serving for a medium-sized dog between 1 and 6 months of age is 0.35 to 1.0 liters of boiled formula. With each month of maturation, 250-300 g of food is added.

From 6 to 12 months, the increase in food is from 1.0 to 3.0 liters of the mixture, that is, 500 g are added every month. All these indicators are averaged, so pay attention to your dog, how he reacts to an increase in portions.

It is possible that these standards will be too high for your dog. There is a general rule that allows you to calculate approximately the amount of food per day for a dog.

For a dog under 6 months of age, you should take 6-7% of body weight, after 6 months you should take 3-3.5%. The resulting volume of food must be divided by 50% so that one half is meat, and the other is porridge, dairy products and vegetables combined.

Mother Nature herself decreed that in an ordinary piece of meat with a bone, the main food ingredients necessary to maintain the vital activity of the dog’s body are present in the required proportion, because “any organism that eats another living creature receives with food the same amino acids that make up his own proteins."

(M. Ichas. On the nature of living things: mechanisms and meaning... /Translated from English. M.: 1994.)

The great Rabelais, who lived and worked in the 16th century, very accurately noticed and assessed the essence of this process: “Have you ever seen a dog that found a marrow bone? If you saw it, you could notice with what reverence she guards this bone, how jealously she guards it, how tightly she holds it, how carefully she takes it into her mouth, with what gusto she chews it, how diligently she sucks it out. What compels her to do this? What does she hope for? What benefits does he expect for himself? Absolutely nothing, except for a little brain. True, this “drop” is sweeter than much else.” And the aphorism of A.P. Chekhov that “a hungry dog ​​believes only in meat” has not lost its meaning to this day.

Dogs as a biological species are classified as predators. Predators are an order of mammals of various sizes and appearances, having many special adaptations for obtaining food, the main one of which is the presence of a powerfully developed dental system. Here, fangs stand out - weapons of attack, peculiar daggers designed to kill a resisting victim, and the so-called “predatory” teeth (in the upper jaw this is the last premolar, in the lower jaw - the first molar), which are used for gnawing skin, meat, tendons and for crushing bones. But the dog, whose body has experienced and continues to constantly experience the hands of man during their joint historical existence, as a social creature has become an omnivore. The biochemical processes occurring in its body have changed somewhat in comparison with the homeostasis of its wild relatives, and therefore the introduction of any additional doses of food components has become mandatory. This applies primarily to carbohydrates, vitamins, macro- and microelements.

INDIVIDUAL APPROACH

The processes of digestion, as well as issues of nutrition, have been well studied by scientists.

But we should not forget that the owners’ approach to feeding their four-legged pet should be individual. After all, the food intake, the health of the dog and its future offspring, as well as the cost of its maintenance largely depend on the structure of the diet. The methods of feeding dogs are based on the developments of scientists, and individual feeding is carried out directly by the owners themselves. Experienced breeders know well that there are puppies that eat 30% more food than their littermates, and then those that ate little begin to eat heavily when they go into the hands of the main owners, and those that ate a lot during group feeding eat little when individual content. There are many reasons for this, but the main ones are hereditary factors that determine the weight and height of the individual, as well as individual feeding rations. How can you develop the individuality of this process in your pet? It is necessary to take as a basis the recommended average values ​​of the volume and frequency of feedings, and then, in the process of observing the behavior of your ward, make nutritional corrections.

DIET

Let's look at the basics of your dog's diet.

What is meant by rigid and flexible feeding? The dominant method of feeding dogs in Russia was a strict diet, especially in military and departmental nurseries. Existing instructions stated that after puppies were weaned from their mother, they had to be fed at strictly specific times with clear intervals between them, no earlier and no later, and regardless of whether they were hungry or not.

Veterinarians three or four decades ago did not have a clear idea of ​​the causes of severe gastric diseases, which were a real scourge for puppies in the first three months of life. It was believed that these diseases were caused not only by bacteria coming from meat and dairy products, but also by irregularities in the amount and time of feeding. Veterinarians and breeders were so afraid of irregular nutrition that they eventually came to condemn it from a psychological point of view. They assured the owners that irregular feeding even leads to the puppy being spoiled, which later manifests itself in the form of disobedience. The dog quickly adapts to anything at any age.

In the first month of life, many puppies adapt to a strict feeding regime, receiving average portions of food that are enough to withstand the feeling of hunger for 4 hours: since if they are always fed at precisely set hours, then it is during these hours that they will be hungry. But there were always babies who could not adapt to the harsh regime in the first days after they were completely weaned from the bitch. These are puppies whose stomachs could not hold enough food for a 4-hour break, or those who were not satisfied with the size of the portion given to them, or those who had worms.

Most often, private owners could not withstand the rigid regime and transferred their pets to a flexible feeding regime. As for state and departmental nurseries, the feeding situation remained the same due to the following circumstances: firstly, due to the labor intensity of carrying out the method of individual feeding of a large number of dogs, and secondly, it is necessary to take into account that everything that happens in the departmental system strictly follows regulations. Strict adherence to rules and instructions creates a stereotype of thinking. In private dog breeding practice, a flexible feeding regime system has shown its advantage.

WHAT DOES FEEDING MEAN FOR A BABY?

A dog, like any living creature, has the instinct of hunger. If a puppy is systematically malnourished, he will whine pitifully to a certain degree of exhaustion, demanding food. Know that if he wakes up and, having emptied his bladder and bowels, runs up to you and pokes his nose, then runs to the place where you feed him and starts fiddling with the empty bowl, or simply whines, looking pitifully at you, it means he wants to eat . Usually, small puppies, when given a bowl of food, begin to greedily eat the food with slurping sounds.

As paradoxical as it may sound, hunger is an indicator of health not only in dogs. It must be said that puppies under the age of 3-4 months have stool almost every time after feeding. Well, as for sleep, all puppies, like infants, sleep almost 20 hours a day, and there is no need to worry about this. In a dream, the puppy smacks his lips and, as if helping himself in this, makes funny pushing movements with his front paw. All this suggests that food for a baby is the main joy in his beginning life. He gets his first ideas about life from the environment in which feeding takes place. The first ideas about people come from relationships with the person giving food.

A calm psychological environment in the house today is very important for the puppy to develop self-confidence and show cheerfulness tomorrow. And remember: what happens to a puppy between the ages of three and twelve weeks is one of the links in the chain of formation of behavioral reactions of the future character of an adult. The essence of a flexible diet is as follows. First, you need to decide for yourself at what time you will feed your pet, based on the nutritional needs of the puppy’s body, which are not the same at different ages:

Up to 2 months of age up to 6 times a day;

Up to 4 months of age up to 5 times;

Up to 5 months of age up to 4 times;

Up to 6 months of age up to 3-4 times;

Up to 3 times up to 8 months of age;

Up to 1 year up to 2 times;

After a year, 1-2 times a day.

Living organisms are not machines. Therefore, I cannot give strict instructions regarding the frequency of feeding at a given age. So, up to 4 months, a puppy can eat 5 times, 4 times, and even 3. This depends on many reasons: on the breed, whether it is kept in an apartment or in an enclosure, on the climate zone (lower ambient temperatures cause increased excretion heat in the body, which means the need for food increases), from physical activity, etc. In this regard, you can only solve these problems individually. This is easy to do: if the puppy eats sluggishly, leaving food in the bowl, but remains cheerful and active, then in this case you simply reduce the frequency of feedings - instead of 5 times, give food 4 times, or 3. And lastly, do not feed the puppy at night . Living organisms, both socialized (domestic animals) and unsocialized (wild animals), have individual and group biological rhythms, which I will not dwell on here. Therefore, according to this peculiar “biological clock”, feeding dogs at night is not recommended. Each experienced dog breeder is guided by individual practical skills to determine the required amount of food for their pets. But for the novice owner, I want to offer a fairly simple method for calculating the required average daily and one-time amount of food.

VOLUME OF FOOD

The average daily amount of food that a dog should approximately receive is easily calculated:

Up to 1 year it makes up 5% of body weight;

Up to 2 years - 4%;

Over 2 years - 3%.

For example, a 2-month-old puppy weighing 10 kg should receive approximately 500 g of food per day or 100 g at a time.

A single volume of food is calculated using the formula:

where: Vp - one-time volume of food;

Vc is the daily volume of food (in this case 5% of body weight);

n is the frequency of feeding per day.

Dog owners need to remember the Law of the Belly, which states: “As the frequency of feeding decreases, the amount of food served increases.”

Owners of dogs of hunting breeds should not forget that puppies of this group are born weighing from 1 to 1.5% in relation to the weight of an adult, and by 8 weeks of age their weight increases on average 8 times.

Rapid weight gain is observed in the next six months. And this despite the fact that the musculoskeletal system with the ligamentous apparatus is not yet developed. Overfeeding dogs in this age period can affect the correct positioning of limbs and movements, irreversible changes in which may appear much later.

For this reason, I am wary of fat and potbellied puppies that delight buyers, and I prefer puppies that are fairly slender, although, of course, not thin and undernourished.

Individual nutrition correction should be based on the following points. Once you have established the frequency of feeding your puppy, as well as the approximate amount of food, you should observe how the baby eats for the first few days, since the selected volume and frequency of feeding will depend on this in the future. The one-time volume of food should be such that the puppy, after eating it, licks the bowl clean, but in no case drives it from one corner to another, which indicates that the portion is insufficient. If this happens, do not give supplements right away - just increase the next portion by 20-25%. If there is food left, then reduce his portion at the next feeding by exactly this amount.

This way you will select the required one-time amount of feed. Breeders remember the need to change the frequency of feedings when the puppy smoothly moves into another age period. The dog begins to eat poorly: it eats inactively and is often malnourished, although no health problems are noted. Reducing the frequency of feedings while increasing the amount of food over a 24-48 hour period eliminates all the anxiety for dog owners.

The main errors associated with feeding methods can be divided into 2 groups:

A group of mistakes that owners most often make occurs due to an overestimated volume of feed. Possible consequences: overdistension of the stomach, intestinal atony, stagnation of feces in the intestines, a high probability of ingestion of the animal, metabolic disorders, obesity. At an older age, gastric volvulus and intestinal obstruction may occur.

Another group of errors occurs as a result of increasing the frequency of feedings. Here the puppy experiences a decrease in appetite. At an older age, all this can manifest itself as damage to the skin and coat in the form of various dermatitis, and in more severe cases - gastric ulcer.

Feeding

Proper balanced nutrition plays an important role in the normal functioning of a hunting dog. Not only her general condition, but also her health depends on it.

The basis of the diet of hunting dogs is proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. These substances are necessary for normal life, so the dog’s body must receive them daily in sufficient quantities and in the required ratio. Improper feeding and an inadequate diet can cause weakening of the body and decreased performance, which will inevitably lead to various diseases. Overfeeding often leads to the same result.

When preparing a dog’s diet, it is necessary to take into account many factors: its age, gender, weight, activity. The feeding regimen, as a rule, depends on the individual characteristics of the hound. For example, puppies and young dogs are fed more often than adults. This is due to the fact that the energy consumption of a growing dog’s body is much higher; for normal growth and development, it requires more food.

In the 19th century hound breeders attached great importance to feeding dogs, believing that the preservation of their hunting qualities directly depends on a properly formulated diet. For example, to preserve the sense of smell, food for hounds should not be hotter than fresh milk. In addition, they were never given lamb, and the meat was always only chopped.

A complete and balanced diet is the key to a healthy dog.

It is recommended to feed an adult dog 2 times a day. The feeding time of the pet is set independently, depending on the daily routine. Determining how much food your pet needs daily is quite simple. It is necessary to carefully observe him for 2-3 days. If a dog eats greedily and takes a long time to lick an empty bowl, it means that there is not enough food for it, but if it eats slowly or its stomach becomes very bloated while eating, it overeats.

Nutritional composition of products

A diet can be considered complete if it contains all the necessary nutrients. Currently, many ready-made foods are produced that take into account all the needs of the dog, but many owners prefer to prepare the food themselves.

The main requirement for dog nutrition is the presence in food of a balanced amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. It is also necessary to regulate the dog's fluid intake.

The first place among food products containing proteins is rightfully occupied by meat and meat products, fish, milk, and eggs.

Meat is a source of complete proteins, as well as fats, some vitamins (B1, B2, B6) and minerals (potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, iodine, etc.).

The composition of meat products includes nitrogenous (actively stimulate the secretion of gastric juice) and nitrogen-free extractive substances extracted from meat during cooking.

Meat is an essential component of a hound’s diet.

Liver, kidneys, brains, lungs, stomach or rumen also have high biological value. The liver contains a lot of vitamin A, fat-soluble hormone-like compounds, iron, copper, phosphorus, etc. The liver is useful for weakened dogs who have undergone surgery. However, the kidneys and liver, rich in useful substances, may contain a large number of helminth eggs. Before giving such products to an animal, they must be subjected to heat treatment.

Animal bones are an important part of any hunting dog's diet. They contain many valuable nutrients (calcium, gluten and proteins) that are necessary for the development and growth of hounds. Of the raw bones, beef bones are preferable.

Minced meat is not excluded from the dog’s diet, but it is not as well absorbed by the body as raw scraped meat, so it is advisable to limit the consumption of minced meat.

The blood of slaughtered animals is considered a very useful product in the diet of both a puppy and an adult dog, since it contains more than 20% proteins, which are highly digestible. Moreover, the blood contains a high content of amino acids, which allows it to be classified as a complete nutritious food.

If the blood is fresh, i.e. obtained in the first few hours after the slaughter of livestock, it is given to the dog raw. Such blood also has a good antimicrobial effect. If the blood is obtained several hours after slaughter, then it is boiled and cooled before feeding. Pork blood should be fed only in boiled form. When preparing a dog’s diet, you need to take into account that overfeeding with blood leads to protein poisoning.

It should be remembered that dogs are carnivorous animals, so meat should be the main and daily component of their diet.

Fish, sea and river, is a source of animal protein. Fish is in no way inferior to meat in terms of the presence of nutrients. Moreover, the chemical composition of fish is even more diverse than meat. Fish contains up to 20% proteins, 20-30% fats, 1.2% mineral salts, including potassium, phosphorus and iron. Sea fish contains a lot of iodine and fluorine. However, it should be included in a dog’s diet with great caution, because, in addition to useful ones, it also contains some substances that are harmful to dogs.

It is recommended not to combine fish with meat, but to replace meat products with it, alternating fish days with meat days. It must be remembered that too frequent feeding of fish leads to the breakdown of B vitamins accumulated in the body and, consequently, to their deficiency.

Sea fish is fed to the dog raw or boiled. Before giving fish to your pet, be sure to remove all bones from it. As for river fish, it is always boiled first, since it is often infected with worm larvae.

Eggs contain trace elements (iodine, cobalt, copper, and a small amount of sodium chloride) and purine substances. The presence of sulfur-containing amino acids and lecithin in eggs has a good effect on the condition of the animal's coat. But despite the fact that eggs are very beneficial for a dog’s health, they should not be abused. It is enough for the animal to give 1 egg every 6-7 days, but you should know that the yolk is digested better than the white.

If the fish is very small, its bones do not pose a particular threat to the pet, but from large fish, in order to avoid injury, the sharp pectoral and dorsal fins should first be removed.

Raw egg whites should be completely excluded from the diet, since the substances it contains negatively affect the normal molting process, causing dermatitis in the animal, increased hair loss, etc. Boiled egg whites can be given to your pet only occasionally, after thoroughly chopping it with a knife. Many dogs like omelettes cooked with water or milk.

For proper nutrition, a dog needs milk and protein products such as milk, cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, cheese, buttermilk, and whey.

Milk and dairy products contain many nutrients. Milk contains more than 200 different food components: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, organic acids. To feed dogs, they use cow's and goat's milk, which is given unboiled. Whole milk is also used to prepare porridges.

Cottage cheese included in a dog’s diet must be fresh. It is not recommended to give sweet curd cheeses. The cottage cheese is given chilled, mixed with whey until it becomes mushy. You can replace it with pre-soaked feta cheese or unsalted Adyghe cheese. Hard, mild cheese, cut into small pieces, can be used as a treat while training your pet.

Fats must be included in a dog's daily menu. Their deficiency in the diet of a young dog can lead to undesirable consequences: slower growth and development, skin diseases, vitamin deficiency, disruption of normal coat pigmentation and other pathological conditions.

However, excess fat in the body is also harmful to the animal, which can lead to obesity and other diseases.

It is necessary to add products such as butter and rendered beef fat to your dog's food, especially to soups and cereals prepared without adding milk.

Dairy products are a valuable source of fats

Vegetable oil contains polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E - vital components with which animal and dairy fats are enriched to a lesser extent.

A valuable source of animal fats are products such as goat and cow milk, sour cream, and butter. They are distinguished by a high content of vitamin A, as well as other substances useful for the body of a growing pet: choline, tocopherol, phosphatides.

The presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids in a dog’s body promotes rapid growth, increased immunity, strengthening the walls of blood vessels, and activation of metabolic processes in the animal’s body.

A sign that the pet is receiving the optimal amount of fat is the attractive appearance of the coat. Smooth, even, thick and shiny fur also indicates a sufficient amount of vitamin E in the animal’s body.

Carbohydrates are one of the main sources of energy. Products containing them include sugar, fiber, and starch. A large amount of carbohydrates is found in rye and wheat bread, crackers, cereals (wheat, buckwheat, pearl barley, semolina, oatmeal, barley, corn, rice), bran, honey. The daily carbohydrate intake is 15-16 g per 1 kg of dog body weight. Therefore, it is recommended to include cereal porridge in the hounds’ diet. You can cook them in broth or milk diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3. You can add pieces of vegetables and fruits to porridge. All of them are quite well absorbed. An exception in some cases may be semolina porridge, and when feeding it to the dog for the first time, you should monitor its condition after eating.

Sprouted, dried and ground wheat or oats are a useful food supplement for growing dogs.

Oatmeal is very healthy for dogs

If no signs of gastrointestinal distress are observed, then you can leave this dish in the animal’s diet. However, portions of semolina porridge should be moderate.

Semolina contains up to 70% starch, a minimal amount of vitamins, mineral salts and very little fiber.

The most valuable cereals are buckwheat and oatmeal, containing proteins, fats and fiber. They are rich in B vitamins, as well as nicotinic acid, minerals, especially iron. Corn grits are low in vitamins and mineral salts, but high in carbohydrates. It is almost the only food product containing gold as a trace element.

When preparing food, it is necessary to keep in mind that the cereals for porridge should be soaked in water and doused with boiling water, it is better to grate fruits and vegetables on a coarse grater, and finely chop the greens.

Sweets are given to dogs only in exceptional cases. Candies, gingerbreads and cookies are too high in calories. By pampering an animal with such a delicacy, you can quickly lose control over its diet.

Bread can be given to a dog starting from 1.5 months of age. It is recommended to feed rye bread soaked in low-fat broth along with meat foods. It is best to dry wheat bread before feeding.

Experts do not recommend introducing legumes into the diet of dogs: beans, peas, lentils. These foods are very nutritious for humans, but they are poorly absorbed by the dog's body. Among legumes, soy flour added to other foods may be useful for your pet.

Vitamins are vital for a dog's body. Their deficiency leads to a decrease in the vitality and resistance of the animal’s body, and also negatively affects its reproductive ability. Vitamins are divided into fat-soluble (A, D, E, K) and water-soluble (C group B).

Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamin A (retinol) necessary for growth, normal development and functioning of the reproductive organs, nervous system, and visual organs. Excess retinol in the body leads to accelerated bone growth, resulting in improper skeletal development.

A lack of vitamin has an extremely negative effect on the health of the animal and negatively affects the functioning of the digestive system.

Sources of vitamin A are carrots, fish oil, egg yolk, kidneys (raw), as well as milk, sour cream, cottage cheese, butter, liver, pumpkin, etc.

If there is a lack of vitamin A in the body, the animal’s eyes begin to water, and the functioning of the digestive organs and upper respiratory tract is disrupted.

Carrots are a source of vitamin A

Vitamin E (tocopherol) needed for normal reproductive activity. A lack of tocopherol causes the dog's coat to lose its shine and look disheveled. With a lack of tocopherol, infertility can develop. The vitamin is found in large quantities in sunflower seeds and wheat germ, as well as in avocados.

Vitamin D (calciferol) participates in phosphorus-calcium metabolism, ensures normal growth and development of bones. Normal development of the skeleton of puppies is possible only when vitamin D, which is responsible for calcium-phosphorus metabolism, is present in their body in sufficient quantities. Calciferol prevents the development of rickets in puppies.

Vitamin D deficiency leads to dysfunction of the motor system, curvature of the paws, spinal column, as well as delayed development and growth of the dog. It is found in fish oil, dairy products, butter, and egg yolk.

Vitamin K (phylloquinone) promotes normal blood clotting. Unfortunately, there is no consensus on the exact amount and types of vitamins that a dog needs for normal functioning. A deficiency of vitamin K (phylloquinone) develops as a result of long-term treatment of a dog with antibiotics and leads to loss of appetite and increased irritability.

Sources of vitamin K include eggs, dairy products, liver, and green leafy vegetables.

Water-soluble vitamins

Vitamin B 1 (thiamine) necessary for carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, for the normal functioning of muscles and the nervous system.

Its deficiency in the body leads to general weakness, disorders of the digestive system, and dermatological diseases of neurogenic origin.

Sources of vitamin B 1 are cereals, cereals (buckwheat, wheat, oatmeal), wholemeal flour, bran, as well as walnuts, hazelnuts, carrots, potatoes, spinach, milk, eggs, meat, etc.

Vitamin B 2 (riboflavin) is part of enzymes that regulate oxidative processes in cells and is involved in carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Contained in liver, milk, meat, fish, yeast, eggs, cottage cheese, etc.

Vitamin B 3 (niacin, or vitamin PP) participates in the synthesis of fats and proteins and has a beneficial effect on the dog’s growth, coat, skin tissue and the functioning of the nervous system. Contained in lean meat, offal, eggs, yeast, etc.

Vitamin B 1 is found in large quantities in buckwheat

Vitamin B 5 (pantothenic acid) participates in amino acid, carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Deficiency leads to liver dysfunction, fatigue, blood and skin diseases. Contained in meat and offal, egg yolks, milk, brewer's yeast, walnuts, etc.

Vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine) necessary for lipid and fat metabolism, the process of hematopoiesis, strengthens the immune system. Lack of vitamin leads to a sharp decrease in body weight and dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. The source of the vitamin is meat, offal (heart, liver, kidneys), poultry, fish, eggs, milk, buckwheat, etc.

Vitamin B 9 (folic acid) promotes normal coat development, stimulates and regulates the process of hematopoiesis. Its deficiency in the body leads to anemia. Contained in liver, cheese, brewer's yeast, egg yolk, buckwheat, pumpkin, etc.

Vitamin B 12 (cyanocobalamin) participates in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, is necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system, regulation of the functions of hematopoietic organs. Lack of cyanocobalamin leads to anemia, immunodeficiency, allergic and nervous diseases. The source is by-products (liver, kidneys, heart), beef, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, eggs, etc.

Offal contains vitamin B

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) necessary for redox reactions, increases immunity, has a beneficial effect on hematopoietic processes. A lack of vitamin C weakens the immune system, which leads to the emergence and development of many diseases, in particular scurvy, the symptoms of which are depression, loose teeth, and sore gums. To prevent scurvy, it is recommended to give your dog daily ascorbic acid dissolved in drinking water. It is found in leafy vegetables, bell peppers, rose hips, sea buckthorn, greens (parsley, lettuce, spinach, dandelion leaves, garlic, onions), cereals (buckwheat, oatmeal), etc.

To replenish vitamin deficiencies, especially in spring, it is useful to add a mixture of finely chopped onions, spinach, dandelion, parsley, lettuce, and nettles to a dog’s diet. Before feeding the puppy, nettles should be scalded with boiling water and cooled, and dandelion leaves should first be immersed in salted water for several hours to remove the bitterness from them.

Fruits, vegetables and herbs, which are a source of many vitamins and mineral salts, must be included in the diet of dogs. They are given both raw and processed, finely chopped or grated. It is allowed to include mashed apples and any berries that the dog likes in his diet (the seeds should be removed first). Many animals happily eat strawberries and raspberries, as well as apricots, pears, cherries, cherries, and watermelons.

In stressful situations, the norm of vitamin C is increased by 2 times, and during pregnancy - by 3 times.

Vegetables are a source of vitamins

Garlic is very useful, which is also an excellent anthelmintic. One crushed clove is mixed with the main feed. In winter, garlic supplement serves as an additional source of vitamins.

A proven remedy against worms is raw pumpkin seeds, peeled. Boiled pumpkin pulp and beets are rubbed through a sieve or crushed on a grater and given to the dog along with porridge. It is advisable to feed potatoes only raw. Turnips, cabbage, zucchini, and rutabaga are usually stewed or boiled and given to the dog as an addition to meat food.

To feed your dog, you can also prepare a mixture of porridge and boiled (stewed) vegetables. For stewing, weak meat broth or water is usually used.

The diet of hounds must include various mineral supplements, fortified preparations and fish oil. In this case, you should know exactly how much mineral supplements you need to give your pet daily. A veterinarian can provide detailed information on this issue.

Listed below are the most important minerals for dogs.

Sodium (Na) And chlorine (Cl) help maintain osmotic pressure in the cells and tissues of the body and are part of the blood.

The food your dog receives may lack a number of microelements necessary for the normal development of the body.

Potassium (K) participates in protein metabolism, is part of the cellular fluid and regulates the water content in tissues.

Calcium (Ca) – the most important component of the bone tissue of the mammalian skeleton. Part of nerve cells, muscle tissue and blood.

Copper (Cu) participates in redox processes in tissues and in the formation of hemoglobin.

Sulfur (S) is part of many organic compounds necessary for the normal functioning of the dog’s body.

Phosphorus (P) is part of bone tissue along with calcium. Contained in meat and bone meal.

Many microelements are found in vegetables and fruits

Iron (Fe) participates in the synthesis of hemoglobin and in redox processes.

Iodine (I) is part of the hormone thyroxine, which is produced by the thyroid gland.

The lack of certain elements in the body negatively affects the health of dogs. For example, a lack of sodium and chlorine causes dry skin and hair loss, a lack of copper leads to pigmentation disorders, a lack of zinc can be judged by the appearance of plaques, crusts in the root part of the hair, in the corners of the mouth, around the eyes, ears, etc.

In specialized pet stores you can purchase ready-made mineral supplements for dogs of any age, which include calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, brewer's yeast, phytin (necessary for improving coat growth and strengthening claws), bone meal, activated carbon, glycerophosphate, Epsom salt, etc. Mineral supplements are crushed, mixed with the main food and given to the pet in accordance with the daily intake.

Bone meal is very nutritious and contains a large amount of phosphorus and protein, however, to avoid protein poisoning, this supplement should be given no more than 1-2 times a week. Bone meal can be fed to your dog separately from other food. There are several varieties of ready-made mineral supplements recommended for dogs. Their range and mineral composition can be found in a pet store. They contain a set of microelements and vitamins that dogs need and are made from bone meal or milk powder.

Currently, there is a large variety of ready-made dog food on sale, including dry food and canned food. All ready-made food includes a full range of microelements, vitamins, proteins and fats necessary for the proper development and growth of hounds.

Water and liquid food

Water should always be clean, fresh, odorless and free of foreign impurities. It is also used for preparing soups, various cereals, stewed and boiled vegetables. 1-2 month old puppies should be given a sufficiently large amount of liquid food daily during feeding. These are soups prepared with meat or fish broth, as well as with milk. Liquid porridge made from ground cereal is very useful.

When feeding dry food, it is necessary that there is always fresh water in the dog's bowl. When keeping dogs in enclosures in winter, snow is additionally poured into the enclosures, which replaces the animals' drink.

Ready-made feed

There are a number of ready-made dog foods on the market, but they all differ in their nutritional composition, since the percentage of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in food cannot be the same for dogs of different breeds. One of the most common mistakes made by owners who feed their pets dry food is buying it from the market. In most cases, such food is counterfeit or expired.

The owner of the animal should be very careful when selecting food for his pet, ensuring that the ratio of nutrients indicated on the package meets the needs of the hound.

Often, inexperienced owners harm their pets by filling their bowls with food high in protein. In the diet of an adult dog, protein should not exceed 26%; for puppies, this figure should not exceed 30%.

It is very important to monitor the balance of calcium and phosphorus. Excess phosphorus leads to the development of pathological cowardice and other disorders in the functioning of the nervous system in dogs. The lack of this element reduces the absorption of calcium.

Products from companies producing dog food must be certified. You should not buy food that does not have a quality certificate. When purchasing food, you need to take into account the shelf life of the product and pay attention to the tightness of the packaging. The absence of explanatory text in Russian on the packaging may well indicate that the product has not passed certification, so it is better not to buy such food. It is advisable to purchase dog food in specialized stores.

Experts do not recommend that dog breeders planning to switch their pet to dry food take food produced in Eastern Europe or Russia under license. Most often, the quality of such food is much lower than the original. If it is not possible to buy real food from the company that holds the license, you should not buy it at all. Also, experts do not recommend fish-based foods due to their high phosphorus content.

Old animals have a reduced need for carbohydrates, as well as for some minerals (calcium, sodium, phosphorus), which are necessary during heavy physical activity. As dogs age, they become less active and less in need of replenishing expended energy.

Ready-made feed

Ready-made puppy food is not suitable for feeding adult dogs. The high nutrient content, large amount of minerals and carbohydrates that make up these feeds are intended for a growing organism, but they can only bring harm to an adult animal.

Excess minerals lead to the development of various diseases in dogs, and excess consumption of carbohydrates causes obesity, and, as a result, damage to the heart and blood vessels.

Feed preparation

It is best for owners of old pets to distribute the entire daily amount of food into equal portions and feed their pets 3-4 times a day. As a dog ages, its metabolism slows down, so it is recommended to give it food after returning from a walk or after physical activity. A gentle diet serves to prevent diseases such as volvulus, which is often observed in aging hounds.

The temperature of food for your pet should be at room temperature (18-20 °C); you should not feed your pet hot or cold food. When a dog is eating, it should never be distracted by calling, petting or cleaning it.

Dogs should be fed 2 times a day

It should be remembered that smoked foods, hot sauces and seasonings, and confectionery products are harmful to dogs.

Even if the food contains all the minerals, vitamins and nutrients your dog needs, he still needs to be given vegetables and raw cartilage bones from time to time. They are necessary for the prevention of dental diseases (for example, tartar). If your dog shows signs of protein poisoning, you should switch the animal to a vegetable diet for 2-3 weeks.

Ingredients harmful to dog health

The diet of dogs living within the city is often incomplete because it contains insufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. In addition, they may contain various preservatives, flavoring additives and dyes that cause serious harm to the dog’s health. First of all, this applies to various types of sausages, sausages, canned food and sweets.

First of all, the excretory organs are affected, which leads to the development of uremia and can be fatal. Recent studies conducted by specialists in Europe and the USA have confirmed that more than 50% of dogs living in urban areas die as a result of the development of uremia. An analysis of these data by Russian veterinarians showed that proper feeding of animals would significantly prolong their life, reducing the risk of developing the disease.

Features of feeding stud dogs

The diet of breeding dogs must be prepared especially carefully, because this can affect the health of future puppies. A stud dog and a breeding or lactating bitch require different products.

A stud dog is more demanding of maintenance than a breeding bitch.

His food should be rich in protein, so the diet of such a dog must include milk, eggs, raw meat, fish, etc.

Before and after mating, it is recommended to give the dog 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and 5-6 drops of vitamin A. The dog needs mineral supplements constantly so that he does not feel a lack of calcium, which can lead to paralysis.

Changing the physical characteristics of a pregnant bitch and designing her diet require a lot of attention.

You should not allow your dog to eat foods that do not meet all the necessary requirements.

The diet of stud dogs should be rich in protein foods

Usually, the bitch maintains the same walking and eating routine that she had before pregnancy.

The dog's diet includes, as usual, 2 feedings per day. The main products that should be included in a dog's diet during this period are raw meat, boiled liver, cottage cheese, porridge cooked in milk, pureed vegetables and finely chopped greens mixed with a small amount of vegetable oil. As a supplement, we can recommend boiled sea fish without bones.

Mineral-rich meats such as cartilage, tendons, chicken breasts, wings and heads should also be included in your dog's diet. It is known that at the beginning of pregnancy the bitch needs large amounts of calcium and phosphorus. In order to compensate for the lack of these substances in the dog's body, it is given calcium gluconate or calcium glycerophosphate in tablets or powders. If only calcium gluconate is used, it is given in combination with phytin in a 2:1 ratio.

During the period from the 4th to 6th weeks of pregnancy, i.e. at the 2nd month, it is necessary to show the dog to a doctor, since already at this time he will be able to determine the number of puppies being born. During this period, the number of feedings increases to 3 times a day, and the daily portion must include meat, fish and cottage cheese.

The amount of mineral fertilizing initially increases by 1.5, and by the 6th week – by 2 times.

Bone meal can be recommended as a mineral supplement during the period from the 31st to the 60th day of pregnancy. It is also necessary to give the dog a little vitamin A. You should not overfeed the bitch, as this can lead to complications during childbirth.

After the 7-8th week, the daily nutritional intake is divided into 4 feedings. In order to prevent the development of constipation, bones and tendons are excluded from the diet.

Starting from the 45th day, calcined cottage cheese must be introduced into the animal’s diet.

Compliance with this ratio will avoid calorie loss and the development of toxicosis.

After giving birth, some bitches show symptoms of postpartum tetany: the dog behaves very restlessly, constantly gets up and lies down, moves away from the puppies, changes where it is lying, sniffs, breathes quickly, and its movements are constrained. All this is accompanied by convulsions, slight tremors in the muscles, severe timidity, and the flow of saliva from the mouth. To prevent tetany, it is recommended to feed the pregnant bitch food containing a sufficient amount of minerals and vitamins, exclude raw meat from the diet in the last week before giving birth, and start feeding it again only 1 week after birth. To prevent this disease, the dog can benefit from sunbathing and increasing the amount of calcium in mineral supplements.

In the last week of pregnancy, bitches experience a loss of appetite, so you should feed food in small portions, including the dog's favorite treats.

Diet of a lactating bitch

Within 2-3 days after birth, the dog has no appetite, but it needs to be fed every 6-8 hours. During these days, it should have constant access to water. The animal is fed 4 times a day during the first week.

The approximate daily nutrient requirements of a lactating bitch are:

– 470 g of easily digestible carbohydrates;

– 270 g proteins;

– 60 g fat;

– 35 g fiber.

In the 3rd week, the dog’s feeding should be more plentiful and varied so that both she and the puppies receive a sufficient amount of nutrients. Different dogs' milk varies in quality and is produced in different quantities, so their nutritional needs may deviate from the average and must be calculated individually.

The amount of food for a nursing bitch is calculated depending on her weight and the number of puppies she is nursing. If a dog is feeding 4 puppies, the amount of food should be doubled and its quality improved compared to the dog's normal needs. When feeding 8 puppies, the animal requires triple the amount of food.

To ensure that a lactating bitch's need for minerals and vitamins is fully satisfied, bone meal should be included in her diet 2-3 times a day, a little mineral mixture, herbs, fresh vegetables and vitamin preparations. It is useful to give a nursing dog every day ascorbic acid with glucose.

To increase lactation, the dog can be given 0.5 walnuts 2-3 times a day and a little apilac, which is a biogenic stimulant. It is also good to give her a coffee drink with milk and honey.

In the period from the 4th to 6th weeks after birth, after the puppies begin to receive complementary foods, gradually reduce the amount of food and liquid for the bitch in order to reduce lactation, and to completely stop it, you need to not feed the bitch for 1 day and limit it to drink.

Features of feeding puppies

You need to feed the puppy from a special dish on a stand, since the correct position of the body while eating is important for the formation of the exterior. The bowl should be at baby's chest level or slightly higher. When eating, he should only put his face in the bowl. If the puppy has to bend over to eat, he may develop a high rear, a hunchback, and weak pasterns on his front paws.

A double bowl (for food and drink) attached to a stand with height adjustment is ideal. As the puppy grows, you can change the height of the bowl. Feeding utensils can be plastic, metal, enamel or clay without chipping so that the baby does not injure his tongue.

Puppy bowl on stand

The food should not be hot; the puppy can only be fed food at room temperature. After the baby finishes eating, you need to wipe his face with a special clean napkin. The water for your pet is changed 3-4 times a day so that it is always fresh.

It is advisable to place a hard cloth under the puppy’s paws so that they do not slip. While the baby is eating, he is taught the correct stance: the front legs are placed straight and parallel to each other, and the hind legs so that the hock joints form an angle of 90°. The stand is fixed during each feeding.

When your pet turns 2 months old, he will need to be given some soft, raw bones or calf cartilage. They are given to the baby after the main meal so as not to interrupt his appetite. Bones, in addition to being a good source of minerals, are very useful during the period when your pet is teething.

Supply system

Currently, there are 2 feeding systems for puppies: traditional, when the owner himself prepares food for the pet, and feeding with canned and dry food. Before you create a regular diet for your pet, you need to carefully observe it. The puppy's diet must be balanced, and the amount of food fed must be calculated in such a way that the norms for weight gain are observed. Up to six months, puppies grow most intensively, so the daily intake of high-calorie food also increases. Over the next 10 months, the growth rate stabilizes and the need for food increases.

Nutrition plays a significant role in raising a hound, especially in the first year of its life.

At 16 months the dog becomes an adult, the amount of food needed decreases slightly and remains this way for the rest of the dog’s life.

You need to feed your puppy at certain intervals:

– up to 1.5 months – 6 times a day;

– from 1.5 to 3 months – 4 times a day;

– from 3 to 6 months – 3 times a day;

– after 6 months – 2 times a day.

When planning your pet's diet, it is important to consider the following:

– the puppy’s diet should contain at least 30% proteins, the lack of which can weaken the immune system and negatively affect the development of muscles and skeleton;

– an overdose of calcium and vitamins A and D can lead to bone abnormalities and contribute to the occurrence of volvulus;

– you cannot feed the puppy without following the regime;

– overfeeding is harmful for both puppies and adult dogs.

For the first 2 weeks of life in the house, the puppy should receive the food that he is accustomed to from the breeder. A sudden change in diet can lead to stomach upset and refusal to eat.

The portion of food for one feeding should be such that the puppy eats everything and licks the bowl. If this portion is not enough for your pet, he does not leave the bowl for a long time, continuing to lick it and showing that he needs more. In this case, you should increase the amount of food at the next feeding, because if you give more immediately, the puppy may get used to begging for handouts.

The puppy's first feeding is done in 7 h, the last one at 10 p.m. If the owner gets up earlier, he can shift the pet’s feeding schedule, subordinating it to his schedule. However, the day before, you must feed the baby 6 times at approximately equal intervals.

Puppy diet

It was already noted above that the dog’s health and its normal development largely depend on how balanced the diet is. As for adult dogs, the diet of puppies must include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber, only in different proportions.

The puppy can be fed both boiled and raw meat, but raw is preferable, because it is much better digestible and contains more vitamins.

Meat can be given to a puppy from the age of one month, preferably in scraped form (meat is scraped off a thick, lean piece with the edge of a spoon). Regular minced meat sticks together in the puppy's stomach into lumps and is poorly digested, since gastric juice only affects the surface of the food. Up to 2 months, your pet can be given raw beef and boiled rabbit and chicken meat. The daily amount of meat is divided into 3-4 servings.

By-products (heart, liver, etc.) are given to the puppy no earlier than he is 4 months old. Liver can only be present in a pet's diet in boiled form, as it may contain worm larvae. The heart, lungs and udder are given raw from 6 months, after being crushed. By-products cannot completely replace meat, so they can be given no more than 2-3 times a week, increasing the norm in relation to meat by 1.5 times.

You can feed your pet river fish only after boiling it first, since it often contains worm larvae.

From 1.5 to 5 months, the baby is given raw beef bones. The puppy will chew them, which is good for teeth and gums. However, later, when the milk teeth are replaced by permanent ones, the bones will have to be excluded: when chewed, sharp bone fragments can harm the pet.

From 4 months, you can introduce sea fish into your puppy’s diet, replacing meat with it 1-2 times a week. A serving of fish should be 1.5 times larger than a serving of meat. It is impossible to give fish more often, because an increase in the concentration of substances contained in fish in the dog’s body leads to the destruction of B vitamins, and this is fraught with growth retardation and digestive disorders. You can give your puppy raw or cooked fish fillets.

The puppy's diet must include cottage cheese and cottage cheese.

Raw eggs are poorly digestible by the puppy's body, and raw egg whites cause the destruction of biotin (vitamin H), which can lead to skin diseases. The raw yolk can be given with milk, but the egg white must be boiled and crushed. It is best to give your puppy an omelet.

Dairy products in a puppy's diet must include milk (cow's, goat's), kefir, cheese and cottage cheese.

Cottage cheese prepared at home is better suited for feeding a puppy. To do this, mix kefir and milk in a 1:1 ratio, let the mixture sour, then put it on cheesecloth and strain off the whey.

To prepare calcined cottage cheese, add 3-4 tablespoons of a 10% calcium chloride solution to 1 liter of hot milk, and then filter the mixture through cheesecloth. This kind of cottage cheese cannot be stored for a long time, so it is prepared immediately before feeding the puppy.

For a puppy, the daily fat requirement is 2.5 g per 1 kg of body weight. When preparing lean foods, it is recommended to add butter or beef fat: 10-15 g up to 3 months of age and 20-25 g from 3 months to 6 months of age.

If your puppy does not have enough fat in his diet, this will have a negative impact on the condition of his skin and coat. Excess fat is also harmful because it leads to intestinal dysfunction and general lethargy of the body.

Dairy fats and vegetable oils contain essential vitamins and fatty acids that promote the puppy's growth and increase its immunity to various infections.

Oatmeal can be used for cooking porridge only when the puppy is 1.5 years old. This porridge should not be fed to the dog too often, as it can cause inflammation of the anal glands.

Carbohydrates can sometimes replace fats in a dog's diet. Starch and plant fiber are a source of carbohydrates, which provide a large percentage of energy to a growing puppy and stimulate intestinal function. The puppy needs to receive 16 g of carbohydrates per 1 kg of body weight per day. The main sources of carbohydrates are cereals (millet, rice, buckwheat, pearl barley, barley), flour products (rye bread, crackers) and vegetables (carrots, potatoes, cabbage, beets). You can give your puppy any porridge, with the exception of semolina, since the dog’s body does not absorb it well. Up to 2 months, the baby should be given liquid porridge made from cereal ground in a coffee grinder.

From 1.5 months, the baby can be given rye bread soaked in low-fat bone broth. White bread is acceptable only in the form of crackers, because when fresh it makes digestion difficult.

Vitamin flour, which is added to food, is very useful for a small puppy. It is prepared as follows: wheat or oats are placed between 2 layers of damp gauze and soaked in water as necessary until sprouts appear. The sprouted grain is ground.

The puppy’s body does not digest legumes well, so it is better to exclude peas, lentils and beans from the pet’s diet. You can sometimes add ground soybeans to your baby's food, as it is a light and very nutritious product.

Mixtures of pre-chopped vegetables are very beneficial for puppies.

Beagles can eat almost all vegetables and fruits. It is useful for a small puppy to give grated carrots and apples with vegetable oil or low-fat sour cream. Berries that the pet likes are fed after removing the seeds.

From time to time you should give your pet a crushed clove of garlic, which is an excellent preventative against worms, and in winter it is a valuable source of vitamins.

Vegetables can be fed to your puppy either raw or cooked, with the exception of potatoes, which are best given only raw as a treat.

Herbs, both cultivated and wild, will become a good vitamin supplement for your baby in early spring. A small amount of chopped parsley, spinach, green onions, lettuce, dandelion leaves or nettles is added to the food.

Mineral nutrition is necessary for the puppy every day; it is added to food 2 – 3 times a day. Raw seaweed has a positive effect on your pet’s color, and it also contains iodine and many trace elements. This supplement also stimulates bowel function.

Crushed eggshells are a good source of calcium, which strengthens the bones and cartilage of a small puppy. From 1.5 months it should be introduced into the food, starting with 0.5 teaspoon per day and gradually increasing the amount to 1 teaspoon 3 times a day by 4 months.

A good feed is meat and bone meal made from discarded carcasses and offal. It is added to puppy soup 2 times a week. The older pet is given bone meal in a separate bowl so that he can eat it whenever he wants.

Preparing puppy food

From 2 months, when puppies are taken away from their mother, it is recommended to feed them mushy soups. To prepare them, soup is cooked in meat broth with the addition of vegetables and 2-3 types of cereals. Then the vegetables are mashed or rubbed through a sieve and mixed with the broth. You can also add finely chopped greens (1 teaspoon per serving), which are pre-washed or doused with boiling water. Boiled meat is finely chopped into soup. Your pet will need 1-1.5 cups of thick soup at room temperature per feeding.

The portion is increased gradually, depending on the puppy’s needs.

Ready food for puppies

As mentioned above, there are currently many ready-made foods for dogs and puppies available, which come in dry and wet (canned) varieties. Dry food is divided into 3 categories: highest, first and second, which differ from each other in composition and quality. Only food of the highest category can provide a puppy with complete nutrition, the annotation of which states that it is made on a protein basis. In addition, a serving of food in this category is equivalent to 1.5 servings of category I food and 2 servings of category II food.

Puppy food should only be of the highest category

Dry food is selected individually for each puppy. It should be remembered that with this diet, the pet needs to drink a lot, so there should always be fresh, clean water in its bowl.

Dry food is very convenient because it can be stored for a long time, is economical and does not require long preparation.

Changes in your puppy's feeding schedule

Sometimes puppies have appetite disturbances and eat very poorly. If an examination by a veterinarian does not reveal any diseases in your pet, you should try changing the feeding diet or giving a little sauerkraut before meals to stimulate the appetite. Sometimes the example of another dog who eats without being picky helps. If all else fails, you can feed your pet by hand, but this is not a very good solution, since such behavior can become a habit for the puppy. It happens that poor appetite in dogs is inherited.

The dog's development is uneven. At the age of 4 weeks, the puppy has proportions close to those of an adult dog. At this age, the baby is fed strictly according to the regimen 6 times a day: at 7, 10, 13, 16, 19 and 22 o'clock. After 2 months, the pet needs only 5 feedings: at 8, 11, 14, 17 and 20 o'clock. From the age of 3 months, the puppy begins to change its teeth, so you need to very carefully monitor its condition and adhere to the diet and feeding with mineral supplements. Then rapid growth of the main bones of the skeleton begins. Reducing the number of feedings and increasing portions during this period must be done individually.

During the period of teeth change, puppies can be given artificial bones, which contain mineral supplements.

From 6 months, puppies are usually transferred to 2 meals a day, but some of them sometimes have to be fed 3 times, since at this time there is active growth of the limbs, which lasts 2-2.5 months.

By the age of 1 year, the hound’s body is fully formed. From this age, the dog’s diet can be considered constant.

Typical diets

Hound dogs are divided into large (Russian Hound, Russian Piebald Hound, Foxhound, etc.), medium (Bosansky Hound, Serbian Hound, Swiss Hound, etc.) and small (German Bracket, Drever, Basset Hound, etc.).

The diet of dogs of large and small breeds is very different.

Approximate diet for large hounds

At 3 months of age:

– lunch: 3 tablespoons of chopped beef;

– dinner: 4 tablespoons of chopped beef, 2 crackers,

2 tablespoons of boiled mashed vegetables;

– late evening: 1 liter of milk formula;

At 5 months of age:

– breakfast: 200 ml of milk mixture, crackers;

– lunch: 4-5 tablespoons of chopped beef;

– dinner: 8 tablespoons of chopped beef, crackers, vegetables;

Vitamin supplements throughout the day.

At the age of 7-10 months:

– breakfast: 1 liter of milk, 50 g of cottage cheese, crackers, 1 boiled egg;

When preparing a diet, you should take into account the height and weight of the dog.

– dinner: 450 g chopped beef, crackers, vegetables.

At the age of 1 year, the diet is reduced or increased depending on the load and activity of the dog.

Approximate diet for medium hounds

At 3 months of age:

– breakfast: 4 tablespoons of milk mixture, crackers;

– lunch: 2 tablespoons of chopped beef, crackers;

– dinner: 3 tablespoons of chopped beef, vegetables, crackers;

– late evening: 4 tablespoons of milk mixture;

Vitamin supplements throughout the day.

At 5 months of age:

– breakfast: 6-8 tablespoons of milk mixture, crackers;

– lunch: 3 tablespoons of chopped beef, crackers;

– dinner: 4-5 tablespoons of chopped beef, 50 g of cottage cheese, vegetables;

– late evening: 200 ml of milk formula;

Vitamin supplements throughout the day.

At 6 months of age:

– breakfast: 200 ml milk, 1 boiled egg, crackers;

– lunch: 3-4 tablespoons of chopped beef, crackers, vegetables;

– dinner: 5-6 tablespoons of chopped beef, crackers, vegetables;

Vitamin supplements throughout the day.

At the age of 7-10 months:

– breakfast: 200 ml milk,

1 boiled egg (4-5 times a week), crackers;

– lunch: 4 tablespoons of chopped beef, crackers;

– dinner: 6-8 tablespoons of chopped beef, crackers, vegetables.

From the age of 10 months:

– in the morning: 200 ml of milk,

1 boiled egg (4 – 5 times a week);

– in the evening: 400 g of chopped beef, crackers, 50 g of cottage cheese, vegetables.

Approximate diet for small hounds

At 3 months of age:

– breakfast: 2-3 tablespoons of milk mixture;

– lunch: 1 tablespoon of chopped beef;

– afternoon snack: 2-3 tablespoons of milk mixture;

– dinner: 2 tablespoons of chopped beef, well-mashed vegetable puree, crackers;

– late in the evening: 2-3 tablespoons of milk mixture;

Vitamin supplements throughout the day.

At 5 months of age:

– breakfast: 4-6 tablespoons of milk mixture;

- late evening:

2 – 3 tablespoons of milk mixture;

Vitamin supplements throughout the day.

At 6 months of age:

– breakfast: 4-6 tablespoons of milk, 1 boiled egg (3-4 times a week);

– lunch: 2 tablespoons of chopped beef;

– dinner: 3 tablespoons of chopped beef, crackers, vegetables;

Vitamin supplements throughout the day.

At the age of 7-10 months:

– breakfast: 150 g of milk mixture with a raw egg;

– lunch: 2 tablespoons of chopped beef;

– dinner: 3-4 tablespoons of chopped beef, crackers, vegetables;

Vitamin supplements throughout the day.

Ages 10 months and older:

– breakfast: 2 tablespoons of chopped beef, 1 boiled egg (2-3 times a week), crackers;

– dinner: 4 tablespoons of chopped beef, crackers, vegetables;

Vitamin supplements throughout the day.

At the age of 1 year, the diet changes depending on the load and activity of the dog.

Whether you can catch an animal or a bird largely depends on the agility and endurance of your four-legged friend. And the physical form of a pet is often determined not only by its training, but also by its nutritional system. Hunting dogs need a special diet and a special feeding schedule. It is advisable for owners of such animals to follow the recommendations of dog handlers in order to provide their pets with proper care and achieve high results from them.

Energy is the key to success

When selecting menu for dogs You must first of all be guided by the level of caloric content of food in order to maintain the reserve of strength necessary for hunting. Tired, lethargic animals simply will not be able to effectively carry out commands, even with all the desire and the presence of well-practiced skills. So it is important to give your dogs a filling, nutritious food that will provide them with maximum energy.

According to dog experts, one of the best ways to do this is to choose foods high in fat. It is considered to be a good source of energy for a hunting dog. Your pet can eat a small amount of high-fat food and still get a lot of calories. And the dog’s performance, in turn, depends on their quantity.

In conditions of long hunting, long marches and tedious travel, animals sometimes eat very little. Sometimes they even refuse regular portions of food. And a small amount of very high-calorie food will come in handy. Experienced dog handlers recommend providing hunting dogs with a portion of food in which the fat content is 20% or slightly more.

The problem with carbohydrates

It is known that people who are professionally involved in sports also require special nutrition. Some of them switch to a carbohydrate diet, which allows them to quickly provide the body with energy. Many athletes often eat cereals, starch and sweets before an important performance. So, maybe it would be worth using this experience to select food for animals?

However, dog handlers are confident that this method does not work with hunting dogs. Firstly, the animal will have to eat twice as much food to saturate itself with the required amount of energy. Secondly, according to modern research, carbohydrate products, when the dog’s muscles are actively working, release an excessive dose of lactic acid into them, which can lead to congealing of the blood.

But a menu high in fat, according to scientists, helps you burn oxygen better and gain more energy. If the dog owner offers her this food, combining it with regular jogging or walking, then the pet will be able to give his best to the hunt.

Omega-6 and omega-3 acids

Dog handlers are convinced that a hunting dog’s diet requires foods with sufficient fat content. But its source is also important. After all, fat not only provides energy, but also affects the level of important omega-6 and omega-3 acids in the dog’s body. They supply the skin with nutrients and support the immune system.

Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids also produce physiologically active eicosanoid compounds, which play an important role in tissue regeneration and the fight against inflammation. But an excess of these substances is extremely undesirable. It can manifest itself in redness and irritation of the skin, which can subsequently lead to tissue damage and muscle injury.

So only moderate doses of fatty acids contribute to maintaining good health in dogs. Soybean, corn, sunflower and safflower oils are high in omega-6. A good source of omega-3 is fish oil. This acid is also found in canola and flaxseed oil.

However, it must be borne in mind that omega-3 and omega-6 eicosanoids do not always combine with each other. You need to find the right balance. American dog experts have found that the ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is from 5:1 to 10:1. It is advisable to look for such designations on packages of special food for hunting dogs.

What about carbohydrates?

There is nothing wrong if your pet's diet includes grains. However, each grain has its own specific “glycemic index” that can affect blood sugar levels. For example, this figure increases sharply if the dog is fed rice and corn. Food containing wheat, on the contrary, leads to a decrease in blood sugar levels.

Rice is more suitable for the needs of hunting dogs. Not only is it a good source of carbohydrates, but it also helps raise blood sugar levels, which provides a quick burst of energy to maintain your pet's strength and endurance. At the same time, there is no need to overuse rice, since excessive consumption can negatively affect the health of your pet.

You can often hear a common misconception from dog breeders that dietary fiber only wastes filling the stomach of your four-legged friend. However, fiber is very beneficial for a dog's good intestinal function.

Of course, some enzymes cause too much fermentation, which leads to excess gas production. It is desirable that fibrous foods contain about 4-7% protein (for example, beet pulp). This will keep fermentation processes at a moderate level and will help quickly cleanse the body.

Foods for strengthening muscles

A useful component in menu for dogs is also protein, which is quite justified. It is believed to nourish muscles and blood vessels. So protein is especially necessary for athletes who regularly undergo heavy physical activity. This substance will not interfere with hunting dogs, which often run long distances.

However, you need to make sure that there is no excess protein in your pet’s body. As a result of this disorder, muscle tissue can become very thin and be easily injured during training.

For decades, one of the main sources of protein in dog food has been soybeans and corn gluten. This was due to the low cost of such products. Scientists have confirmed that plant protein is easily digestible.

At the same time, scientists have come to the conclusion that dogs also need food of animal origin. It contains high-quality protein, which provides a more substantial supply of amino acids than plant-based ones.

Ideally, four-legged hunters need both. Most dog experts agree that, in addition to food containing soybeans and corn gluten, pets should also receive meat. For example, chicken, which is quite easily absorbed by the body.

On a note

So, what is the best thing to feed a hunting dog? Here are some helpful tips.

Provide your dog with a nutritious, palatable diet that allows him to get enough energy from a small amount of food.

Keep your pet's weight stable. To do this, you can reduce its portion as needed - by 25%, or even half.

Choose foods that are based on animal protein.

Remember that high-fat foods provide high-quality energy for your dog.

Fiber promotes healthy intestinal function.

Food for a dog during the hunting period should not be perishable.

A little about water

When forming a hunting dog’s diet, one should never forget about the role of drinking. During active pursuit of game, your pet may lose quite a lot of fluid. For example, in three hours of hunting, approximately one liter of water is consumed in the dog’s body. And if such loads are combined with high temperature, then it’s not far from a state of stress.

Water loss occurs daily during breathing, salivation and other natural processes. So, in both heat and cold, the dog needs to replenish the amount of fluid in the body. Therefore, it is necessary to always have a supply of water with you for your pet and periodically give it small doses. Can be added to a bowl with pieces of food to make the drink more aromatic and tasty.

Let your healthy and active pet become your faithful and successful hunting assistant!

Important!

Dog experts agree that there are a number of things you should never do if you want to raise a healthy pet.

There is no need to feed your dog in the morning before hunting. An animal with an empty stomach is usually twice as hardy.

It's best not to give your dog a lot of water at once. It is ideal to provide small amounts of fluids over short periods of time.

You should not treat your dog with sweets unless prescribed by a veterinarian. These are all empty carbohydrates. The energy obtained in this way will disappear very quickly.

There is no need to overfeed your dog in anticipation of the hunt. A week before going for game, your pet can be switched to a single meal. When a dog is "fasting" he has greater endurance potential than when he eats a lot before training.

You should not give your four-legged helper food immediately after a hunt. It's better to wait at least an hour. You can also feed the dog at the end of the day, when it has finally recovered from the stress of hunting.

Albina Rogova, Neftekamsk