A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Puppy : A growth diet for a medium-sized puppy, divided into several meals, helps support harmonious development without excess energy.
Adult : In adulthood, a complete formula adapted to the activity level helps maintain muscle mass, endurance and a stable weight.
Senior : For the senior, a more digestible diet and adjusted in calories can help preserve mobility and limit weight gain.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
Premium kibble for adult dogs of medium to large size, formulated for an active lifestyle, generally suits the Harrier well. The final choice must take into account its digestion, its body condition and any veterinary recommendations.
Amounts
How much should you give?
The daily quantity must be adjusted according to weight, body condition and exercise intensity. In the Harrier, it is better to think in terms of monitoring silhouette and activity level than a fixed ration all year round.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 25 - 27 kg | 401 - 550 g | 2 |
| 27 - 28 kg | 425 - 582 g | 2 |
| 28 - 30 kg | 448 - 614 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any change in diet must be done gradually over several days in order to limit digestive upsets. A slow transition makes it possible to check good tolerance of the new formula and to adjust the ration if necessary.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Clean, fresh water must remain available at all times. This vigilance is even more important after prolonged exertion, in hot weather or during a hunting activity.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats can be useful for recall training and motivation, provided they remain moderate and are integrated into the overall caloric intake. In a food-motivated dog like the Harrier, repeated extras quickly encourage weight gain.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Splitting the daily ration into 2 meals limits overly rapid food intake.
- Weighing the rations regularly helps prevent excess in this active but greedy dog.
- Avoiding intense effort just before and just after meals reduces digestive risk.
- Adjust the food intake during the hunting season or periods of high activity.
Never give
As with other dogs, it is necessary to avoid in particular chocolate, grapes and raisins, onion, garlic in large quantities, xylitol, alcohol and certain fatty or very salty leftovers, as they can cause serious poisoning, digestive disorders or metabolic damage.
