A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Puppy : A growth diet for a medium-sized puppy helps support harmonious development without excess energy.
Adult : The ration must cover maintenance and physical activity while maintaining a lean, muscular silhouette.
Senior : With age, a more digestible diet is preferred, rigorous weight control, and appropriate support for mobility.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
Complete good-quality kibble for an adult medium-sized active dog is generally well suited, with a formulation adjusted during periods of sustained work. A home-prepared ration is only conceivable if it is properly balanced with the help of a professional.
Amounts
How much should you give?
The quantity must be adjusted individually according to body condition, daily expenditure and the season. A dog used for hunting or very athletic does not have the same needs as an individual living mainly as a companion.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 20 - 22 kg | 331 - 455 g | 2 |
| 22 - 23 kg | 355 - 487 g | 2 |
| 23 - 25 kg | 378 - 519 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any dietary transition must be done gradually over several days in order to limit digestive disorders. It is preferable to increase little by little the proportion of the new food while monitoring stools, appetite and general condition.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Clean, fresh water must remain available at all times, with increased vigilance after exercise, in hot weather and during hunting days. An active dog that pants a lot can become dehydrated quickly if it does not drink enough.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats can be useful for training and recall, provided they remain simple, digestible and given in moderation. They must be included in the daily ration to avoid excess calories.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Splitting the ration into at least two meals per day helps improve digestive comfort.
- Avoiding intense exercise just before and after meals limits digestive discomfort.
- Adjusting the ration as soon as activity decreases helps prevent overweight.
Never give
As with other dogs, it is necessary to avoid in particular chocolate, grapes, onion, garlic, avocado, cooked bones, alcohol, yeast dough and very fatty or very salty foods, as they can cause poisoning, severe digestive disorders or metabolic complications.
