A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Puppy : The puppy needs a growth food for small size, given in several meals in order to support its development and digestion.
Adult : The adult benefits from a complete ration adapted to its activity, generally divided into two daily meals to maintain a good balance.
Senior : The senior often requires a more digestible diet and monitoring of weight, muscle mass, and joint comfort.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
A complete, good-quality diet, suited to active small dogs, generally suits the Volpino Italiano very well. Well-formulated kibble or a balanced home-prepared ration with veterinary validation can be considered depending on the dog's profile.
Amounts
How much should you give?
The daily amount must be adjusted according to age, actual activity, body condition and the energy density of the chosen food. In adults, splitting into two meals is often well tolerated and helps keep a stable digestive routine.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 5 - 5 kg | 112 - 164 g | 2 |
| 5 - 6 kg | 119 - 173 g | 2 |
| 6 - 6 kg | 125 - 181 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any change in diet must be done gradually over several days in order to limit digestive upsets. It is preferable to introduce the new ration in increasing stages while monitoring appetite, stools and general condition.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Clean, fresh water must remain accessible at all times. Vigilance must be increased in summer, after exercise or when traveling, because a small active dog can become dehydrated faster than one might imagine.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats can be useful for training the Volpino Italiano, provided they remain moderate and are included in the overall calorie intake. It is better to favor small, simple rewards and slightly reduce the ration if they become frequent.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Weigh the ration to avoid discrepancies for a small size.
- Split the food into regular meals rather than free-feeding.
- Adjust the ration during periods of lower activity.
- Keep fresh water available at all times.
Never give
As with other dogs, it is necessary to avoid in particular chocolate, grapes, onion, garlic, xylitol, alcohol, caffeine and cooked bones, as they can cause digestive, neurological, metabolic disorders or severe poisoning.
