Alice White
Pekingese belong to the category of dogs whose affection and respect must be earned. The owner of this dog must understand that a representative of one of the most ancient breeds, a favorite of the Chinese emperors, lives in his house. What to feed the Pekingese? Let’s figure it out.
A Few General Guidelines
The first thing that the owner of both an adult Pekingese and a puppy should learn is that the dog should not be overfed. Representatives of this breed do not belong to the category of “lively”, their lifestyle is measured and inactive. That is why the menu should be designed in such a way that the animal does not receive extra calories.
Important! The Pekingese’s appetite absolutely does not correspond to their more than modest size. These dogs eat as much as they offer. So, for an adult dog, it costs nothing to eat a double or even triple serving. This must not be allowed.
So that the animal does not have problems with digestion and health in general, the following rules must be adhered to in feeding:
From the first days of finding a puppy in the house, you need to determine the feeding regime for him. Food should be offered to the dog at the same time at all times.
There is no need to salt dishes prepared for your pet.
Meat and offal should be half of the Pekingese’s total food intake.
Do not forget about the temperature regime. The food should be warm.
There should always be a bowl of clean water next to the food bowl.
Feeding your Pekingese soup or porridge that is too thin is not a good idea. Due to the structure of the muzzle, it will be simply uncomfortable for them to eat such food.
Is the pet naughty and does not want to eat something new, persistently demanding his favorite porridge or stew? Put the bowl with the proposed food in the refrigerator for a while. As soon as the dog gets really hungry, he will agree to any food.
What to Choose: Dry or Natural Food?
Each owner decides for himself what type of food to choose for his pet. Some people like to cook a variety of natural and healthy meals for their pets every day. Someone does not want to waste time at the stove and buys ready-made feed. In this case, both are right, the main thing is that the dog, along with food, receives all the necessary nutrients, minerals, and vitamins.
Important! An adult Pekingese does not need to eat too often. Breakfast and dinner will be enough for him.
Feeding Pekingese Natural Food
The basis of the natural nutrition of the Pekingese should be meat cut into fillets and small pieces. So, these dogs can be offered turkey, chicken, and rabbit meat, since they have a low level of fat and are better absorbed by the body. Cartilage and bones should not be offered to these dogs with a unique muzzle structure.
Important! It is best to give a Pekingese sea fish, after removing the bones from it.
Also, the menu of these dogs should contain carrots, eggs, broccoli, garlic, blueberries. These foods will help you avoid vision problems. Tomatoes and carrots are offered raw. Beets, zucchini, cabbage should be heat treated. You can and should add a little chopped parsley to ready-made dishes. From fruit, Pekingese can eat a slice of peach or apple.
Pekingese will not do without cereals. Veterinarians recommend giving them rice, millet, buckwheat, and oatmeal. It is necessary to be careful with buckwheat since its excessive use can cause the development of urolithiasis. From milk, you can offer kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk.
Important! A dog on a natural diet needs foods enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Wet or Dry Feeding
If you want your pet’s diet to consist of factory food, purchase both wet canned food and dry for it. Constant wet food can cause gum problems and can be used as a treat.
Important! Dogs that “sit” on dry food should also receive a portion of fermented milk products.
Choosing a good dry food for Pekingese is difficult without the help of a veterinarian. Only a specialist will tell you which product from the breed line is right for your pet.
How and What to Feed Your Puppy?
The number of meals a Pekingese puppy will eat changes as it grows. So, for a baby up to 1.5 months, 6 times a day will be enough. From 1.5 to 3 months, the amount decreases up to 5 times. A puppy who is already 4 months old, but not yet six months old, needs to eat 4 times a day, night feedings are canceled. From 6 to 12 months, a Pekingese teenager takes food 3 times a day.
Puppy nutrition by month:
From birth to 1 month, newborn Pekingese feeds on breast milk.
From 1 month to 6 months, complementary foods should be introduced gradually. You need to start with fermented milk products and minced meat (after 2 months). Wet feed is added from 3 months. At the age of 4 months, the puppy needs a lot of fermented milk products and cottage cheese. From this age, the puppy can be gradually switched to dry food.
From the age of six months, the puppy can already eat food intended for adult dogs.
What You Shouldn’t Feed Your Pekingese Puppy?
The following foods can damage the growing body of your dog:
- fat, bones, skin;
- mushrooms, soy products;
- grapes and raisins;
- dishes with spices;
- freshwater fish in raw, salted, dried form;
- semolina and cornflour;
- sausages and smoked meats.
How to Feed an Elderly Pekingese
Old age in dogs of this breed begins closer to 8-10 years of age at home. Your veterinarian will tell you which foods should be added and which should be excluded from the diet of an aging Pekingese. For this, the dog may be assigned certain tests.
Important! The main thing to do is to fill the diet with softer or chopped food.
Every Pekingese owner should remember that you cannot treat your pet with tasty morsels from your table. Confectionery and fried foods are also strictly prohibited.
