Best food for miniature schnauzer

Schnauzers are a dog breed that originated in the 14th to 16th century in Germany. The name comes from the German word for “snout” or “moustache”. It is known to have a unique appearance because of its bearded snout. 

Miniature Schnauzer’s are the 17th most popular breed in the United States. Since their shedding is minimal (limited moulting) they are considered a hypoallergenic breed. 

They are a very popular breed for several reasons. They are very friendly, loyal and intelligent. Not only their furry beard but also their arched eyebrows gives them their unique appearance. 

They are very trainable and make great guard dogs. They are good with children and make an excellent family dog.

Proper Feeding

Nutrition is one of the most important aspect for a dog to live a happy, healthy and long life.

It is important to know that Schnauzers have a potential health problems that will require a specialized diet. If you feed them the wrong dog food, their health will suffer. 

If they eat a diet with a high fat content, they will be prone to more health problems, so it is important to choose a food that has only a moderate amount of fat. 

They are also at a higher risk of food allergies. 

Best food for miniature schnauzers

Merrick Classic Real Chicken

The number one ingredient in this dog food (dry kibble) is deboned chicken. It has excellent nutrition fundamentals: 60% meat protein, 20% fresh produce and 20% whole grain. There are absolutely no ingredients from China. It is rich in Omega 6, Omega 3 Glucosamine And Chondroitin.

All ingredients are wholesome and the kibble is free of byproducts and chemical preservatives. 

Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food Grain Free Adult & Puppy Salmon. Anchovy & Sardine

This food starts off on the right foot (or paw): it is completely grain free. Cheaper alternatives will often use it as filler but this food blend takes the high road by not including any. 

Included are some very nutritious ingredients including: salmon, anchovy and sardines. It is all natural. Only all natural ingredients with no by-products, wheat, wheat-gluten or artificial colors, flavors or fillers. 

It is made in the United States and has the Holistic Select Guarantee. Holistic Select is definitely no fly-by-night company. It has existed for over ten years. 

Holistic Select’s recipes are made with pre and probiotics digestive enzymes, natural fiber, and digestive botanicals that develop whole body health. The digestive enzymes help break down proteins, starch and cellulose.

Satisfaction is guaranteed with this product. This is great to have, as occasionally a dog will simply not like the taste of a particular brand of dog food. 

Rachael Ray Nutrish PEAK Natural Dry Dog Food, Grain Free

Famed chef Rachel Ray has helped create dog food that your pet will love. It is very nutrient dense. 

US farm-raised turkey is the #1 ingredient. Why turkey? Because it is lean, easily digestible and helps build and maintain lean muscle mass.

Also, there’s duck! Why duck? It’s easily digestible, naturally rich in iron and amino acids that support strong muscles.

There’s even quail. Why quail? The meat is from the US, France and Italy and is a source of essential vitamins, phosphorous and iron. 

 The mix is 30% high quality protein (remember dogs are carnivores). It is both grain and gluten free with no filler ingredients. There are no artificial flavors, colors or artificial preservatives.

A portion of each sale of a Nutrish item is donated to the Rachel Ray foundation, which assist animals in need of help. As of June 2018, more than $27.5 million have been donated to animal charities. Funding is used for medical supplies, foods, treatments and other important items. 

Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Miniature Schnauzer Adult Dry Dog Food

This is a highly digestible adult dog food that will be easy on your small dog’s stomach. Omega 6 fatty acids and vitamin E develop a healthy skin and shiny coat. There is never any artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or chicken-by-product. 

It has an antioxidant blend to promote immune support.

Hill is #1 veterinarian recommended

Hill has more than 200 veterinarians, food scientists, technicians and PHD nutritionists to develop pet foods. It also has a Food, Shelter & Love program which gives food to shelters across the country, providing the proper nutrition that helps pets find their way to loving homes. With every purchase of Science Diet you help feed over 100,000 homeless pets every day, 365 days a year.

How much should feed your miniature schnauzer?

It mostly depends on size. Usually between a half and one full cup of dry food each and every day.

But remember, this amount depends not only weight but also activity level.

Remember, smaller breeds of dogs have faster metabolisms. Your hound might do better with 3 meals instead of 2, while a puppy might need as many as 4 meals.

Smaller breeds of dogs typically need an average of 30 to 40 calories per pound of weight every day. If you look at most dog food recipes for small dogs they do this with higher content. Once again, Schnauzers have more problems with a higher fat content diet, so search for a dog food brand that is only moderate in fat.

Remember Schnauzers were bread to chase cattle and protect the heard. This energy and drive remain. Often, the need a whole hour of exercise everyday to be healthy.

When calculating food intake, it’s best to use calories rather than volume. Be sure to include treats in your calculation of daily intake. 

If you’ve ever seen a Schnauzer eat you’ll soon learn they’re voracious eaters. Definitely avoid free feeding. They might be at risk of health issues if they overeat regularly.

For Schnauzer puppies, usually they wean off their mother’s milk at 7 weeks. It’s important to implement a feeding schedule. 

Three times a day is typical, then switch to twice a day at the 12 week mark.

Now you’ve probably heard there are multiple sizes of schnauzers. This is true, there are three: miniature, signature and giant.

You’ve probably come across this page because you’re most curious about miniature schnauzers. They have a 12-14 year life span. At adulthood, they weigh 12-20 lbs. They need 480 calories to stay healthy, but if they’re very active 775 calories. When they’re old, they only need 390 calories.

The standard schnauzer is the size in the middle. They weigh 30 – 50 pounds and typically need 1000 calories a day. If they are under stringent exercise they might need up to 1600 calories. Once they get older, they only need 800 calories.

Lastly, giant schnauzers get up to 60 to 80 pounds. They typically need 1680 calories. If they’re doing some intense activity (such as working on a farm) they could need 2800 calories. As they get older, they will only need 1500 calories. 

Dogs, like humans, are animals and our diets are somewhat similar and function similarly. You can apply you knowledge of diet to your dogs diet. Here are some tips:

Dog Diet

Protein

Remember – dogs in the wild are carnivores. High quality protein should be one of the top ingredients in any dog food. It is critical for muscle development and maintenance.

Usually, good dog food will have several different protein sources. It is definitely good if the source is identifiable. Possible meat sources include beef, bison, chicken, fish. 

What you should do is avoid byproducts. They are often used in cheaper dog food brands to save on manufacturing costs. Or they use animals from questionable sources. 

Fat

Although fat has gotten a bad name, it is not necessarily bad for your pet. A decent amount is needed for your hound to be active and healthy. 

Why is this? Fat is very calorie dense. When it is burned, it releases a lot of energy that can be used to power the body. This allows your hound to stay energetic the whole day.

Some dog foods contain fish oil, which is great. Fish oil has omega fatty acids. This is good for the skin and coat. DHA is an omega 3 fatty acid that helps with brain and eye development.

Coconut and flaxseed oil have medium chain fatty acids. This will help your dog keep vitality and energy as he or she gets older. 

Remember though, for reasons lifted above, you should choose a blend that only has a medium amount of fat.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates, along with fats, provide energy. Go with complex carbs, vegetables like potatoes, barley, peas and oats. .

Why? You’ve probably heard of this advice being given to people as well. 

Essentially, complex carbohydrates have a lower glycemic index. They will provide your dog with a high level of energy through the day rather than spiking.

Simple carbs like soy or corn will burn much quicker and give your poor pup a energy crash. Cheap dog food brands often include them and this is another reason to avoid them. 

Vegetables

Will your dog benefit from vegetables like humans do? The answer is yes! They are a great source of vitamins and nutrients. 

They fight off harm caused by free radicals, develop and strengthen the immune system, and strengthen bones.

Diseases

Eye conditions

Diseases such as cataracts and retinal atrophy are more prevalent in miniature schnauzers. 

What happens? The dog’s eyes begin to cloud, affecting vision. He or she might even go blind. 

How can you avoid this horrible disease? One way is to keep your dog’s weight at a healthy amount. One way you can do this is check charts that you can find online that will list the ideal weight for a miniature schnauzer of a particular height. 

Diabetes can also cause eye conditions. Keep your dog’s diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins to promote eye health.

Hypothyroidism

This condition affects all size of schnauzers, from miniature to giant. Essentially what happens is that the thyroid gland has low functionality. Your hound will get tired and have poor concentration. Feeding vegetables and fruits treat the condition. These organic substances contain natural sterols. 

Hip dysplasia

Most common amongst giant schnauzers, hip dysplasia affects the joints of a dog and is very painful. What happens? Basically, the connective tissue in the hip can’t hold the joint in place. A dog with this condition will limp and have difficulty getting up. To alleviate pain, feed your dog a diet full of omega fatty acids, chondroitin and glucosamine. This develops bones and connective tissue in the body.

Comedo syndrome

This disease is unique to the schnauzer breed. You might also know it by its unique name “schnauzer bumps”. It causes black crusty bumps on the hound’s back. This eventually leads to hair loss. To fight this, feed a lot of healthy fats. Fish oil with omega fatty acids keep dog skin and hair in good health.