A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Puppy : A growth diet for a medium to large breed, divided into 3 to 4 meals, helps support development without excess energy.
Adult : A quality ration, split into 2 meals and adjusted to activity, suits most individuals.
Senior : With age, a more digestible formula and monitoring of weight, muscle mass and joint comfort are preferred.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
Premium kibble for adult dogs of medium to large size and with sustained activity generally suits very well. For dogs that work a lot, a more energetic formula can be useful during certain periods, while a more standard food is sufficient out of season if exercise decreases. In the case of a home-prepared or mixed ration, the nutritional balance must be validated with a veterinarian.
Amounts
How much should you give?
Quantities must be adjusted according to weight, actual activity, the energy density of the food and body condition. A very active Epagneul Français will not have the same needs as a dog living mainly as a companion. It is preferable to split the daily ration to improve digestive comfort, especially around exertion.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 20 - 25 kg | 280 - 360 g | 2 |
| 25 - 30 kg | 320 - 400 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any dietary transition must be done gradually over about a week, or even longer for sensitive dogs. The proportion of the new food is increased little by little in order to limit digestive upsets and to better observe tolerance. An abrupt change is not recommended, especially in an active dog.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Clean, fresh water must be available at all times. Hydration is particularly important after long outings, hunting sessions, hot days and trips. A very active dog may drink more depending on the season and the intensity of the effort.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats can be useful for training and recall, provided they remain moderate and are included in the total ration. It is better to favor small, simple and digestible rewards rather than very fatty extras. With a hunting dog sensitive to motivation, the quality of the reinforcement often matters more than the quantity.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Split the daily ration into 2 meals.
- Adjust the energy intake during the hunting season or very active periods.
- Avoid intense exertion just before and just after the meal.
- Regularly monitor body condition rather than following a fixed quantity all year round.
Never give
As with other dogs, it is necessary to avoid in particular chocolate, grapes, onion, garlic, avocado, cooked bones, alcohol, caffeine, xylitol and very fatty or very salty foods, as they can cause poisoning, severe digestive disorders or metabolic complications.
