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Feeding a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy Properly is Crucial
You’ve just welcomed a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy into your home and you’re excited to start taking care of your new furry friend. But then you realize that you have no idea how to go about feeding your puppy. What type of food should you give them? How often should they eat? And how much food is too much? If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry – we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about feeding your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy.
One of the most common challenges people face when they have a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is not knowing how to properly feed them. There are a lot of things to consider, such as what type of food to give them, how often to feed them, and how much food is too much. Without proper guidance, it’s easy to make mistakes that can lead to health problems for your puppy. That’s why it’s so important to educate yourself on the subject before you bring a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy into your home.
You’re not alone if you’re feeling overwhelmed – many people face the same challenges when they have a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about feeding your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, including what type of food to give
How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Feeding a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy?
Bernese Mountain Dogs are a large, sturdy breed of dog that originates from the Swiss Alps. They are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and gentle nature. While Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for being gentle giants. Bernese Mountain Dogs are a working breed of dog. This means that they were bred to do a specific job, such as pulling carts or herding livestock. As a result, they have high energy levels and need to be active in order to stay healthy and happy. This is something that you need to keep in mind when you are feeding your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, as they will need more food than a dog that is bred for companionship.
The Diet of a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy in His New Home
If you’ve new a Berner puppy, whether he’s two, three or more months old, stick with the foods that were in use at the breeder’s or previous owners’ home for the first time. Moving is stressful enough for your pup, so don’t add the risk of eating disorders to the mix. As soon as you know he’s settled in, start gently introducing him to his new food.
What to Do if the Puppy does not Eat Dry Food?
If a puppy doesn’t accept dry kibble as food (let’s say he was previously given natural food or canned food), try soaking them in the bowl with water – this will increase the smell of meat and also reduce the load on the inflamed gums, if the change of teeth is difficult for the puppy. As a rule, the teeth begin to change after 3 months of age, and adult teeth appear after 4 months.
If your puppy isn’t eating the dry food because he’s used to what the breeder gave him, we recommend the following: Don’t give up the old food for a week or two, just add the right product to it – 10, 20, 30% and so on, watching the condition of the puppy every day. Sooner or later the sensitive nose of the Berner will stop to feel the differences, and the baby will completely switch to the food, chosen by you. The main thing is not to be in a hurry.
Proper Nutrition for Bernese Mountain Dog Puppies. Why is it Important?
Good nutrition is essential for all dogs, but it’s especially important for puppies. This is because they are growing and developing quickly. They also have a high metabolism, which means that they burn off calories quickly. For these reasons, it’s important to make sure that you are feeding your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy enough food to meet their needs. It’s also important to choose the right type of food, as some foods are better for Bernese Mountain Dogs than others.
A balanced diet gives good nutrition that maintains the cells, tissues and organs in good health. This helps the body’s immune system to remain in good shape to combat any threats. Food you give your dog can aid your dog to stay healthy or cause issues in the skin, ears general health, and behaviour. The observation of your dog’s health and coat condition, as well as the health of ears and eyes as well as the habits of eating and preferences will inform the feeding choices you make throughout the life of your Bernese.
Daily Feeding, Portion Sizes, Frequency of Meals, and Types of Food to Avoid
At what Age and How Often?
- Two-month-old puppies should eat at least 5 times a day, in small portions.
- From three to five or six months old 4 meals a day is good.
- And from six months of age we transfer teenage Berners to a diet a la “breakfast-lunch-dinner”.
- In the future an adult healthy dog should eat twice a day, preferably at the same time, after a walk.
Despite the fact that psychological maturity for the Bernese Mountain Dog comes after two years of age, physiologically a one year old dog is already ready for exactly this dietary regime, i.e twice a day.
Daily Norms of Dry Food
Any whole-food package will have feed dosages listed on it. The numbers you see in the table are approximate and are for daily feeding. This means you’ll have to do a little work to calculate the exact amount per serving. The volume and weight of each dry food is different: it depends on the density of the pellets and their shape. In addition, although there are standards for the Bernese Mountain Dog weight, they vary depending on the genetics of the producers. It is advisable to know the weight the father (if you have a male) or mother (if you have a female) of the puppy, as Berners’ sexual dimorphism is very developed.
Food Content
When it comes to the type of food you should give your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy, you should avoid any food that contains artificial ingredients or preservatives. You should also avoid any type of food that is high in fat, as this can lead to obesity. Instead, you should choose a high-quality dog food that is designed for large breeds. This will ensure that your puppy gets the nutrients they need without putting their health at risk.
A List of Additional Supplements a Berner Puppy Needs
Below is a list of some of the most frequently supplementation options to provide general immune system support or specific issues like dry skin, allergies, arthritis, digestive. Deciding on the right supplement(s) and the appropriate dosage appropriate for your specific Berner is a serious matter. Be aware of interactions between supplements and any other medication your pet might be taking. For the best results, it’s advised to discuss adding supplements to the diet of your Berner with the breeder of your dog and veterinarian.
- Vitamins – antioxidants C & E
- B-complex Supplement
- Omega 3 and 6 fat acids from fish oil, flax seed oil
- Joint support supplements – glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
- Probiotics/plant enzymes
- Kelp
Troubleshooting Common Problems when Feeding a Berner Puppy
Bloating
One common problem that can arise when feeding a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is bloat. This is a condition that occurs when the stomach fills with gas and puts pressure on the other organs. If your puppy starts to show signs of bloat, such as pacing or restlessness, you should take them to the vet immediately.
Obesity and its Danger for Bernese Mountain Dogs
Never overfeed the dog! It seems that a few grams will not make a difference, but in fact, dry food is a concentrated product, which has a high nutritional value, so regular overfeeding (a little bit each time), coupled with the calm temperament of the Bernie, can eventually lead the pet to overweight. And this is very, very bad, especially if we are talking about the Bernese Mountain Dogs.
The fact is that joints and ligaments of Bernese Mountain Dogs, as well as of all breeds of Molosser type, are a weak point, and the period up to 1.5 years is very important both in terms of feeding and maintenance of your pet. Bernese Shepherds often have elbow and hip dysplasia, as well as other overweight or excessive strain disorders.
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Summary
In conclusion, it’s important to make sure that you are feeding your Bernese Mountain Dog puppy enough food to meet their needs. It’s also important to choose the right type of food, as some foods are better for Bernese Mountain Dogs than others. Finally, if you have any concerns about your puppy’s health, you should talk to your vet.
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