Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's Diet



Posted: Monday, September 21, 2009

by
GreatDogSite.com

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel loves food and does will not self-monitor when they have had enough. Just as humans, dogs require a healthy diet on a regular schedule to maintain optimal health. If the owner can get stick to a proper feeding program the result will be an agile and energetic companion. Overfeeding has become problematic among the breed over the past few years due to an increased Cavalier King Charles Spaniels population. Unfortunately, not all owners are being properly educated about the risks and needs of the breed. By following the guidelines mentioned here, you can keep you dog fit and healthy so that it will be with you for a long time to come.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have the potential to become greedy or even fussy eaters. Both conditions are frustrating for both dog and owner, so it is advisable that you always feed sensibly. First, check that your dog is receiving the right nutrition for the breed and size. You may want to ask the breeder about advised foods, schedules and possible supplements. Ideally they should supply you with a diet guide and any samples that are best for your Cavalier. The breeder should also outline the prime feeding times and serving amounts.

Upon taking home your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, they may not want to eat at first. This is normal and will work itself out. It could take a bit of time for the puppy to feel comfortable considering the recent separation from the mother. If the he refuses food for an alarming amount of time, you may contact your breeder for advice on getting him to eat. By the time he is about eleven weeks old twice-daily feedings will be required and should continue until they are about nine months old.

The one-year marker is the latest point at which you should decrease the feeding pattern to once a day. Some breeders suggest cutting this one serving in half and giving it twice a day. This is at your discretion, but simply be aware that the food intake need is small once the Cavalier reaches one year. Because overeating and potential weight gain can both become problems, avoid feeding your dog human food or excessive treats. If these precautionary measures are not taken it could result in substantial health issues or a shortened life. One such risk that overfeeding poses is that weight gain will easily strain your little dog's heart and Cavaliers are particularly prone to heart complications. A less serious and more obvious result is that excessive weight can cause sluggish behavior and discomfort. For the happiness of you and your dog, avoid having to re-train about begging and table scraps. This will prevent excessive whining and dancing at your feet during dinnertime. A daily feeding schedule with proper serving sizes and an occasional small treat reward will truly prove how much you care about your dog.

Listen to your breeder and your veterinarian about the recommended guidelines and risks for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. It is much easier to avoid health problems than it is to dealing with them full on. Because your dog has a tendency to overeat, you have a great opportunity and obligation to give it a better life through implementing a healthy eating pattern.

This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com. For more information on the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Cavalier_King_Charles_Spaniel/.
This Article has been viewed 71 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.