Puppy Nutrition

After your Japanese chin puppy has been weaned, his body will accumulate itself to the new types of food he eats. The next 12 to 18 months of life will be a learning period for him as he continues to adjust to his new diet. Nutrition wise this is the most important period of a dog's life. He is using a high amount of energy and nutrients to fuel his rapid growth and if his food is not giving him the energy and nutrition he needs his growth will be stunted. Each breed of dog grows at a different rate and understanding what the nutritional needs of your dog are is very important.

Giving your puppy food that is hard for his sensitive digestive tract to digest will cause diarrhea. Adult dog food is not meant for a young puppy with a sensitive digestive tract and sensitive intestine. Feeding any age dog food that they are not used to can irritate their intestine and produce diarrhea.

Starting your Japanese chin on a long healthy life starts with giving him a jump start by giving him proper nutrition as a puppy. What you feed him as a puppy will determine how well he grows and his health later in life. Sound skeletal and bone structure of your puppy depends on having an optimal level of calcium and phosphorus in his diet. The kibble size and texture of his food can also hinder a puppy's growth. Kibbles need to be small enough for the puppy to grasp and soft enough for him to chew. If you have a Japanese chin puppy that has just been weaned, there's nothing they like better than soaked kibble fed to them by hand.

When your chin puppy is growing he multiplies his weight by up to 20 times. This explosive growth period requires twice as much energy and nutrients as an adult dog. Not only must it have twice the energy and nutrients, they must also be in a form easily digestible by a puppy.

As your puppy continues to grow you will want to mix in foods that are a little harder to digest. Then eventually when you switch over to all adult food his digestive system will be used to adult dog food.

Dog Treats

All dogs love treats and most pet lovers enjoy giving them treats. We're going to assume that you know the results of giving to many treats so no lecture here. :) Instead, what are some treats you can give your pet? There are many treats your pet will love at your local store, but some that are not so good for them also.

If you've had your pet on canned dog food and he liked it by all means give it to him as a treat. Give him leftovers from your fridge, sausage, beef, chicken, dogs will eat almost any meat. Now for the stuff you can buy in the store. Be careful with rawhide treats, after being chewed continuously for several weeks they become shredded and if your dog swallows them they can get stuck in their throats. Several treats are also good tartar cleaners. Some of them are Greenies, bully sticks, knotted rawhide bones, and many other dental bones, treats, etc. If you prefer meat treats, you'll find chicken liver treats, freeze dried beef liver treats, chicken treats, lamb liver treats and many others. These treats are a good source of extra protein.

Gourmet treats are much the same as gourmet dog food. Whether they're superior quality in every way is yet to be determined. A lot of it is just marketing. Natural dog treats are basically bones or rawhide treats. They are natural because the flavors are natural- a bone tastes like a bone and rawhide like rawhide.

When you're training your puppy keep treats he loves on hand. They are one of the best training tools you'll find. Certain stores even have specific training treats sections. Go figure, when did a simple treat stop being a treat? But give them sparingly during training and otherwise. Looking cute and begging does certainly not merit a treat.

A-Z Facts To Finding Your Perfect Japanese Chin

Here are a few very important things for you to know before you buy your chin puppy.

Breeder Qualities

1. A reputable breeder will not sell you a chin puppy before 8 weeks of age. There are dog breeders who love the breed and are breeding to improve the breed. But then there are those who can think of money and nothing else. Never purchase a Japanese Chin before 8-9 weeks of age.

2. When you purchase your Japanese Chin you should receive a written and signed- Purchase Agreement, Contract, Bill of Sale. The Terms of Sale need to be in writing. It should contain names and addresses of the buyer and the breeder, with phone numbers and purchase price and sire and dam information.Be sure to read these and make sure you understand them before you buy. The contract should also state the terms following the sale. You should also receive Care Info, Vaccination Record and basic grooming info when you purchase your Chin.

3. Most breeders ship their dogs. If this is how you get your puppy you need to be very involved to make sure every thing goes smoothly. Some airlines do not ship pets and others place "summer embargoes" on excess luggage in addition to federal restrictions on shipping animals during extreme temperatures.

4. A reputable breeder will recommend premium food for your puppy as part of the Care Package. Breeders recommend the food they are feeding themselves- someone who is running a reputable kennel is not feeding his dogs junk. If you decide to use different feed than what your puppy is used to eating you need to mix it in slowly to switch him over.

5. Get the breeders phone number and address. You should get this up front when you contact the breeder, especially if you find someone online. After the sale you need to be able to contact the breeder if any problems arise.

6. Toys breeds are prone to Hypoglycemia. Your breeder should give you instructions on treatments for your puppy if he gets it.

Male or Female Japanese Chins are a pleasant, loving, and happy breed. There isn't a significant difference between male or females. They can and do live with the same sex without problems. A male may pull off a few more antics, but an altered male will have basically the same temperament as a female.

Boost Your Pets Immune System

Almost all dog illness can be a result of a weak immune system. Boosting your pets immune system will improve their health and reduce your vet bills. Having a healthy dog starts with feeding a healthy diet. If you're not sure what to feed, or you want to switch from your current dog food ask your veterinarian. A proper diet should have the proper amounts of carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins. The activity level of your dog will also determine what type of food you give your dog.

Also monitor the amount of food your pet consumes every day, and don't give them access to large amounts of food. Giving your pet table scraps or other human food such as nuts, chocolate, and onions is harmful to them and these foods have no place in a dog's diet. After you have laid the foundation for a healthy diet for your pet, you can give them several different supplements to boost their immune system. These supplements are antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin and mineral supplements, liver, and amino acids. As with any change in your pets diet you should consult with your veterinarian. Following are some of the benefits of these supplements:

Antioxidants; Four well known antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and Selenium. You'll find one of these in the following foods - citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, broccoli and red meat. Studies have shown that older dogs given an antioxidant-rich diet have better cognitive skills than other dogs their age.

Omega-3 fatty acids: This acid is found in flax seeds,soybeans, hemp seed, walnuts and other plant based sources. It is also found in cold water fish oils. Often this acid is given to dogs to transform flat dull coats into shiny glossy coats.

Amino Acids: Proteins are mainly composed of amino acids so the food you feed your pet and the protein content in those foods will determine the amount of amino acids your dog gets.

Liver: You need to be careful with this one because the liver stores toxins. If you give it to your pet raw only get it from organically raised cattle, or fry it before giving it to your pet.

Diabetes Treatment

Treating your dog for diabetes is very similar to the treatment humans receive. They will be put on a strict diet and regular insulin injection program. To keep the glucose at proper levels after eating, your pet will probably be put on a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates. Your vet will be able to recommend a proper diet.

Insulin is injected once a day under the skin. Your vet will show you how to do this and they will also tell you how much to give them. The insulin needs to be kept in the refrigerator, it becomes ineffective if exposed to sunlight or warm temperatures. Always roll the bottle of insulin in your hands before each injection. Fill the syringe with the prescribed amount, you may need to tap out air bubbles. The most common place to inject the insulin is in the scruff of the neck, the skin here is loose and easy to grasp. A fold of skin is pinched and pulled up with one hand and the needle quickly inserted at a 45 degree angle with the other. You do not want to inject the insulin into a blood vein, so pull the plunger back slightly. If no blood appears, push the plunger down slowly. Everyday a new spot should be used to inject the needle. The time you give your pet insulin should never vary. If you have a problems with giving insulin or monitoring their diet or getting the diabetic pet exercise, your vet is the best place to go for advice.