A menu for every age
Needs change over time
Puppy : A growth diet for a medium-sized dog helps support bone and muscle development without excess energy.
Adult : The ration must be adjusted to the activity level, with particular vigilance during hunting periods or sustained effort.
Senior : A more digestible food and monitoring of weight, joints, and overall tone become useful with age.
Which food?
Kibble, wet food, or home-cooked diet?
Premium kibble for an active dog or a balanced ration formulated with a professional generally suit the Podenco Ibicenco well. The goal is to provide good-quality proteins, energy adapted to the effort, and consistent digestibility without unnecessary overload.
Amounts
How much should you give?
The daily amount depends on weight, metabolism and exercise level. It is generally preferable to split the ration into 2 meals to improve digestive comfort and adjust the intake more easily during periods of sustained activity or rest.
| Weight | Daily amount | Meals/day |
|---|---|---|
| 17 - 19 kg | 320 - 439 g | 2 |
| 19 - 22 kg | 327 - 449 g | 2 |
| 22 - 24 kg | 359 - 493 g | 2 |
Change
Managing the food transition
Any dietary transition must be done gradually over several days in order to limit digestive upsets. A change that is too abrupt, even to a higher-quality food, can lead to loose stools, discomfort, or a temporary refusal to eat.
Hydration
Water: do not overlook it
Clean, fresh water must remain available at all times. After exertion, in hot weather or during the hunting season, hydration must be monitored with even more attention and calm recovery periods should be encouraged.
Little extras
Treats, in moderation
Treats can be useful for the training of the Podenco Ibicenco, provided they remain moderate and are counted in the overall ration. It is better to favor simple, digestible and well-tolerated rewards rather than products that are too fatty or too salty.
Good habits
For a top-notch bowl
- Split the daily ration into 2 meals rather than a single one.
- Adjust the energy intake to hunting periods or intense activity.
- Weigh the dog regularly to adjust the ration before any weight gain.
Never give
As with other dogs, chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, avocado, cooked bones, alcohol, caffeine, xylitol and very fatty foods should be avoided, as they can cause serious digestive, neurological, hematological or metabolic disorders.
