Feeding your dog correctly prevents various diseases, helping you save a lot of money...
The health and well being of your Weimaraners generally depend on the quality of foods you are feeding them. It is important to feed them with foods that contain necessary nutrients required by the breed. Their nutritional requirement is just like those that have been passed on from their ancestors, nutrients in which sources are similar to those found in their original environment.
Weimaraners should be given the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Decreased in vitamin C or excessive vitamin other than vitamin C is not good for your Weim. The deficiency or the excess may cause diseases particularly hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD). Excessive mineral and calcium supplementation are also reasons for the occurrence of HOD.
Using commercial dog food is probably the most convenient way to feed your Weimaraner. Lots of it are readily available in any pet stores, all you have to do is simply open the package and pour it into your dog's food bowl. Commercial dog food comes into three types: dry, semi-moist and canned. Dry food, or kibble is commonly preferred because it is less expensive compared to semi-moist and canned food. It is believed that dry food or kibble benefits your dog's dental care because the dry bits scrape tartar from the teeth during chewing. Canned foods are recommended to old age dogs or dogs with poor appetite due to illness or medical problem. However, canned foods are usually expensive and requires refrigeration once opened. When using commercial dog foods to feed your Weimaraner, read the product label carefully. Check the ingredients and make sure that it contains the necessary nutrients in right amounts.
Despite the convenience of using commercial dog foods, some owners prefer the noncommercial foods to ensure the quality of the food. Some believe that noncommercial food is expensive and time-consuming to prepare but in fact, it is also faster and cheaper provided correct planning has been done. With this type of food, you can be sure that your pet gets the fresh and best ingredients ideal for his health. Noncommercial foods are classified into two: home-cooked and raw diets.
The frequency of feeding depends on your pet's age and activities. Feeding one full meal a day is not advisable for it can cause bloat, obesity or other digestive problems. Instead, spread out your Weimaraner's feedings to at least twice daily. Free feeding, feeding in which food is left out all day is not good either. Rigorous exercise and other activities should be avoided right after meals.
