A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Puppy : More divided ration, rich and digestible, with regular monitoring of growth to avoid excess.
Adult : Two meals per day with weighed portions and adjustment according to activity and body condition.
Senior : Complete diet that is more digestible and often a little less caloric, with monitoring of weight and muscle mass.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
Premium kibble for small to medium-sized dogs, formulated for a moderate to sustained activity level, generally works very well. The key is to choose a complete, good-quality, consistent, digestible diet that is suited to the ideal weight rather than the actual weight in case of overweight.
Amounts
How much should you give?
The quantity depends on weight, activity, age, neutering and the energy density of the food. In the Pembroke, it is prudent to start with a weighed ration, to be adjusted according to body condition and not according to the dog's appetite.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kg | 130 - 170 g | 2 |
| 11 - 12 kg | 150 - 190 g | 2 |
| 13 kg | 170 - 210 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any dietary transition must be gradual over about a week, or even longer in sensitive dogs. The proportion of the new food is increased little by little in order to limit digestive upsets and to better observe tolerance of the ration.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Clean, fresh water must remain available at all times. Hydration deserves particular vigilance in hot weather, after exertion and in dogs fed exclusively with a dry diet.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats can be useful in training, but they must remain moderate and be deducted from the daily ration. It is preferable to choose small, simple rewards and to favor consistency rather than quantity.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Weigh the ration rather than estimating it by eye.
- Divide the food into 2 meals per day.
- Adjust the quantities according to the silhouette and not according to the dog's greediness.
- Limit treats and count them in the daily intake.
Never give
As with other dogs, you should avoid chocolate, grapes and raisins, onion, garlic, avocado, alcohol, xylitol, cooked bones and very fatty foods. These products can cause poisoning, severe digestive disorders or metabolic complications.
