A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Puppy : A growth diet for a small breed, split into 3 to 4 meals, helps support development without digestive overload.
Adult : A stable ration in 2 daily meals helps control energy, weight, and digestive comfort.
Senior : With age, a more digestible and less caloric formula may be useful depending on activity, dentition, and body condition.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
High-quality kibble for small dogs, or a well-formulated wet ration under veterinary supervision, generally works very well. A formula promoting digestion, oral health and coat quality is often of interest for this breed.
Amounts
How much should you give?
The daily amount varies according to actual weight, age, sterilization, activity and the energy density of the food. You should always start from the manufacturer's recommendation then adjust it according to the observed body condition.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 4 - 5 kg | 70 - 90 g | 2 |
| 6 - 8 kg | 90 - 120 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any dietary transition must be gradual over about a week in order to limit digestive upsets. The proportion of the new food is increased little by little while monitoring appetite, stools and overall comfort.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Clean, fresh water must remain available at all times. In hot weather or if the dog mainly eats kibble, hydration deserves increased vigilance.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats should remain occasional and represent a small part of the daily caloric intake. They are useful in training, but it is better to favor small rewards that are easy to digest.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Weigh the ration rather than measuring it by volume.
- Split into 2 meals to limit voracity.
- Regularly monitor body condition under the coat.
- Adjust the ration after sterilization or a decrease in activity.
Never give
As with other dogs, it is necessary to avoid in particular chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, xylitol, alcohol, cooked bones and very fatty or very salty foods, as they can cause poisoning, digestive disorders or more serious complications.
