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The Miniature Schnauzer has a very distinct appearance with its wiry coat and long beard. Not only are these dogs known for their unique looks, but they are also very popular for their small size and friendly temperament. The Miniature Schnauzer is a very friendly and intelligent breed, eager to please and easy to train. These are just a few of the reasons why this breed is consistently ranked among the top 20 breeds according to AKC statistics. If you have a Miniature Schnauzer, take the time to learn about his nutritional needs so you can keep him happy and healthy for as long as possible. Below you will find valuable information about meeting your Miniature Schnauzer’s nutritional needs as well as some special considerations to make. You will also find recommendations for commercial dog foods for this wonderful breed.
Nutritional Needs for Miniature Schnauzers
As you can probably guess from its name, the Miniature Schnauzer is a small-breed dog. This breed typically stands between 13 and 14 inches tall, weighing between 10 and 18 pounds at maturity. Miniature Schnauzers are very spirited and eager to please – they love to play and they do require a good bit of daily exercise to work off their energy. This breed is generally very healthy, but it is prone to certain health problems, several of which are influenced by diet. Miniature Schnauzers have an increased risk for diabetes, for example, and they are prone to fat-related problems like hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis. To keep your Schnauzer in good health, make sure to feed him a high-quality commercial diet formulated for small-breed dogs.
All dogs require a healthy diet that provides a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat – they also need certain vitamins and minerals. Protein is the most important nutritional consideration for any dog and it should come from high-quality, animal-based sources like fresh meat and meat meals. Fats are the most highly concentrated source of energy for dogs and they are especially important for small-breed dogs that have high energy needs. Like proteins, fats should come from high-quality animal-based sources. Dogs do not have a specific requirement for carbohydrates, but they should come from highly digestible sources like brown rice and oatmeal. Many dog owners prefer to feed gluten- and grain-free carbohydrates like tapioca and sweet potato – just be sure to avoid low-quality fillers like wheat, corn, and soy.
It is very important that you feed your Miniature Schnauzer a small breed-specific formula because these foods are designed to meet the energy needs of smaller dogs. Small-breed dogs have very fast metabolisms so they need a constant stream of energy throughout the day. Most small breed-specific dog food formulas are high in protein to maintain your dog’s lean muscle mass and in fat to provide concentrated energy. A small-breed dog may require fewer calories than a larger dog, but he needs more calories per pound. For example, a 110-pound Akita might need 2,500 calories per day but an 11-pound Miniature Schnauzer might only need 450 calories per day. If you divide it out, the Akita needs about 23 calories per pound of bodyweight while the Miniature Schnauzer needs about 41 calories per pound of bodyweight.
Special Considerations for Miniature Schnauzers
To make sure that your Miniature Schnauzer’s energy needs are met, you need to feed him a small breed-specific commercial diet that is both nutrient- and calorie-dense. Start your puppy out with a small-breed puppy formula and allow him to feed freely – this will ensure that he gets the protein and fat he needs to sustain his growth and development. Once your puppy reaches 80% of his full size you can switch him to a small breed adult formula. Throughout your Miniature Schnauzer’s life you should divide his daily portion into three or four smaller meals instead of one or two large meals. Small-breed dogs have small stomachs so they cannot eat a lot at once – this is another reason why it is important that your Miniature Schnauzer’s food be nutrient- and calorie-dense. You should also make sure to choose a product that comes in small bite-sized pieces.
Although the Miniature Schnauzer is natural a very playful and active breed, you do need to be aware of the risk for obesity. To make sure you are not overfeeding your dog, follow the feeding recommendations on the dog food package. Keep your dog on the recommended portion for a few weeks and monitor his weight and activity level. If your Miniature Schnauzer loses weight or starts to be less energetic than usual, you may need to increase his rations. If he starts to gain too much weight, however, you might need to cut back. You can also ask your veterinarian for recommendations in regard to how much you should be feeding your Miniature Schnauzer.
Top Recommended Dog Foods for Miniature Schnauzers
If you need some help in finding the right food for your Miniature Schnauzer, consider one of the commercial dog food brands discussed below. Be careful when considering a breed-specific formula for your dog – do not just assume that the formula will meet your dog’s needs without evaluating the product for yourself. Consider the ingredients list to make sure that the product is of high-quality before offering it to your dog.
1. Artemis Small-Breed Dry Food
The Artemis dog food company was founded in 1998 and it has quickly gained a reputation in its home state of California and across the country for being a high-quality brand. Artemis believes that a healthy lifestyle for pets begins with quality nutrition and they aim to provide that in all of their products. The Artemis pet food company offers a wide selection of small breed-specific formulas including an option for puppies, adults, senior dogs, and one for weight management. Artemis’ small-breed formulas are high in proteins and fats to help your small dog maintain a healthy metabolism and all of their products are free from artificial preservatives, colors, and dyes. The Small-Breed Adult formula is made with four high-quality protein sources listed within the top five ingredients along with several easily digestible carbohydrates like brown rice and oatmeal.
2. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed
The Wellness pet food company utilizes only wholesome, real-food ingredients in their products to ensure healthy and well-balanced nutrition for dogs in all life stages. Wellness offers a wide selection of dry and wet food products including the Complete Health line of small breed-specific formulas. This product line includes five different recipes – one for puppies, three for adults, and one for senior dogs. The Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Adult Deboned Turkey & Oatmeal recipe is made with deboned chicken, chicken meal, and salmon meal as the top three ingredients followed by oatmeal and brown rice. All of Wellness’ formulas are made with a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat as well as high-quality proteins to maintain lean muscle mass and high energy levels in smaller dogs. Wellness also supplements their products with naturally-occurring live microorganisms to support digestive health.
3. Innova EVO Small Bites Dog Food
The Innova pet food company offers two different brands – California Naturals and EVO. The EVO line of pet food products is designed to imitate the ancestral diets of wild cats and dogs. EVO offers five different dry food products and two wet food products for dogs, including two small bites formulas for smaller breeds. The EVO Turkey & Chicken Small Bites formula lists five different protein sources at the top of the ingredients list followed by chicken fat, peas, and tapioca starch. The EVO Red Meat Small Bites Formula lists three protein sources and two digestible carbohydrates among the top five ingredients. All of EVO’s products are high in protein to support lean muscle mass and they are free from gluten, grains and potatoes. EVO uses more than 1/3 of a pound of animal protein in every serving of dry food as well as a mixture of fresh fruits and vegetables. Simply put, EVO dry food is a high-quality source of nutrition for your small-breed dog.
The Miniature Schnauzer is a very popular breed, and for good reason. Not only does it have a very friendly and playful temperament, but these little dogs are very smart and obedient. To make sure your Miniature Schnauzer lives a happy and healthy life, make sure to feed him a high-quality commercial diet like the options reviewed above.
