Optimal Health and Special Dietary Considerations
Dobermans are strong, handsome, and large dogs that require a high-quality diet throughout their life stages. By offering your precious pooch proper nutrition, not only you can prevent various health conditions but can also help your most loyal companion live a healthy life.
Start feeding your pooch the best quality food as soon as you bring your pup home. It has the potential of making a difference in how your dog looks and feels inside and out. Your precious one deserves the absolute best, so here are some more pointers on what your Doberman’s special dietary considerations are.
- Low-Quality Protein vs. High-Quality Protein
One thing that you need to be sure of is the quality of nutrients you are picking for your pooch. Regardless of the breed, never compromise on the quality of meat ingredients you choose for the protein.
Out of all the available options, you will find brands that will list ingredients such as poultry by-products or animal by-products – without really specifying what meat it is. These are considered a low-quality protein, which is not suitable for your pooch. Un-specified meat sources are questionable because the sources for protein content are not clear.
When choosing the right protein for your pooch, make sure you are clear about the meat ingredients in the recipe. Look for options with specified meats such as chicken, beef, salmon, lamb, venison, and pork. These meaty ingredients should also be the primary ingredients on the list to guarantee the quality of protein so you know you are feeding the right food to your Doberman.
- Taurine to Prevent Cardiac Problems
Dobermans, unfortunately, are also prone to cardiac problems. So look for ‘taurine’ on the label. That’s an essential nutrient that’s a great addition to your Doberman’s diet. According to studies, taurine can play an important role in helping your dog maintain a strong and healthy heart.
However, do not rule out the options that do not mention Taurine. Some ingredients may naturally contain Taurine, and those ingredients may be present in the blend. So do your research properly and pick the best option.
- Calorie Intake and Feeding Guide
A Doberman female could reach up to 90 pounds when fully grown while males can go up to 100 pounds. Of course, to support their big bodies, the big breed needs a rich, high-calorie diet to stay active and healthy. Calculating your dog’s daily calorie intake is important. For a healthy, adult Doberman, you should feed 2100 calories. Split these calories into 2-3 meals for your dog and give them a regular supply of energy throughout the day.
For younger dogs, 1500 to 1800 calories would do. Break this down into several meals. For senior dogs, 1300 calories are enough, keeping their reduced activity levels in mind.
What to Feed Your Doberman
Now that we know about the specific diet requirements of your special pal, let’s break down the nutrients and why they’re important.
- Healthy Protein
Both large-breed pups and adult dogs require high levels of healthy protein to maintain lean muscle. They need high-quality protein to look great and stay active. You can pick dry or wet food options depending on what your dog likes more, or can even serve them together if that’s what your pooch prefers. The only thing you need to ensure is that your Doberman gets enough protein and only from high-quality sources.
- Animal Fat
Some food options that are suitable for large breed dogs can contain high levels of fat content as well. Since your big breed dog requires more energy, they depend on high-quality fat content. Pick an option that offers a healthy average of fat content extracted from real animal meat.
- Minerals and Vitamins
Your big breed hound requires a diet rich in minerals and vitamins. Check out the label to make sure all the important ones are present in the blend. Some important ones include vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K.
On the other hand, calcium is also essential for your Doberman. Their large bodies and heavy structures can take a toll on their bone and joints over time. By consuming sufficient calcium, your dogs can maintain resilient and strong bones.
- Carbohydrates
While it’s not an absolute necessity, carbs derived from healthy sources can add fiber to your dog’s diet. Make sure you stick to complex carbohydrates for maximum benefit and energy for your dog.
What Not to Feed Your Doberman
So now that you know about the basic characteristics of a healthy diet for your Doberman, it is equally important to be aware of things you must avoid.
Unfortunately, some manufacturers still include fillers and unnecessary ingredients in the blend, making it potentially harmful for your dog. These things include:
- Corn, Wheat, and Soy
Most dogs are sensitive to these ingredients. Manufacturers add these to the blend as fillers or carbohydrates in cheaper foods to gain maximum profits. Steer clear of such options and avoid these ingredients as they can be difficult for your dog to digest and may cause gastrointestinal issues. Since Dobermans are also prone to bloat, these fillers can cause the gas to build up and worsen the condition.
- Chemical Additives
To enhance the way the food tastes, smells or looks, manufacturers turn to chemical additives and compromise on the quality of dog food. High-quality brands use natural alternatives to achieve the same results and offer food that is healthier for your tail-wagger. Avoid foods that include any chemicals.
- Meat Byproducts
As mentioned earlier, meat or poultry by-products are not considered high-quality sources of nutrients. Do not feed anything to your precious one if it contains questionable sources. A major problem with these ingredients is the compromised nutritional value. These are nothing but fillers and can be harmful to your dog. Some fillers can cause your pooch to develop different diseases. Therefore, it is important to avoid them altogether.
Final Word
Dobermans are amazing dogs, and once you learn about feeding them right, this energetic breed will only thrive. The information shared here will help you pick the best and top-notch food to help your dog keep up their health and energy.
Don’t forget to check out the list of the best dog foods for Dobermans and feed the finest to your most faithful companions.