The Dogue de Bordeaux is a unique breed known for its massive size and wonderful personality suitable for families. He is ideally powerful and moderately active, therefore, feeding him requires the right amount and type of food. While he is still a puppy, you have to already plan out his diet game so he grows up to be free from health problems that can be caused by malnutrition.
There are many options laid out there for you as a prospective Dogue de Bordeaux owner. Commercial dog food sounds convenient, but know that this is just among the options you have. This article will serve as your manual regarding what to feed your Mastiff dog plus, we will also answer questions along the way.
What Nutrition Choices Do I Have for My Dogue de Bordeaux?
If you are going to ask each dog owner about what they feed their dogs, you’ll surely get different answers. You’ll find out the different nutrition choices such as dry or wet food, the BARF diet, and the veterinary prescription diets. Any of these would do well for your Dogue, but before you go ahead to your local supermarket, consulting your vet first would be a wise decision.
Now, let’s discuss what the mentioned nutrition choices are all about!
Dry Food
It’s no secret that dry dog food is a very convenient choice for a Dogue de Bordeaux. All you have to do is do a little research on what commercial product offers complete and balanced nutrition, buy it, and then add in the recommended number of cups to your dog’s bowl- that’s it!
Dogs of any breed seem to enjoy this type of food and most of them age healthily on most food brands. However, due to some cases of dog food recalls, owners are now becoming very concerned about commercial brands no matter how high their quality is.
As a result, some decided to go for home-prepped meals. Unfortunately, this takes a lot of time as you are making your buddy’s food from scratch twice daily.
Wet Food
If your Dogue de Bordeaux just sniffs on the kibble and never touches them, going for wet food might make him give in. Undeniably, this is more palatable. Wet or canned dog food also has a high moisture content which is great in making your Dogue dehydrated throughout the day.
Whether you make your buddy’s diet mainly consist of wet food or simply consider this as a treat, one thing is for sure and it is that he will get complete and balanced nutrition perfect for puppies and older dogs.
BARF Diet
Surprisingly, even though the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet is rising in popularity these days, the topic remains controversial to some. This is due to the risks that come with eating raw meat such as its high tendency to be infected with bacteria. This may also cause an unbalanced diet that might affect the long-term health of the Dogue and potential choking hazards or internal injuries due to the inclusion of whole bones.
There are advantages, however, should you go for the BARF diet. These include:
- Healthier skin
- Shinier coat
- Smaller stools
- Higher levels of energy
- Cleaner teeth
Typically, this diet consists of meat, bones, fruits, and vegetables.
Veterinary Prescription Meals
Veterinarian prescription dog food is available… you guessed it right, only when there is a prescription from the vet. This is suitable for Dogues who suffer from food allergies, obesity, or arthritis.
Vet-prescribed foods are specially formulated to meet the health needs of your dog. Manufacturers help in addressing different illnesses. If your Dogue pup suffers from a condition, this would be a great option.
3 Signs You’re Giving Him the Wrong Food
It’s a must for your Dogue de Bordeaux pup to have all the nutrients its body needs through the food it eats. Feeding time shouldn’t just be about seeing him enjoy his meal but as well as see the effects it brings to his body. Unfortunately, there is a possibility of him reacting badly to a certain type of food.
Here are the 3 signs that would tell you that you need to change his diet:
Physical Issues
Any undesirable change in your Dogue’s body should be enough to warn you that something’s not right. If his coat looks dull or his skin is developing some kind of allergy, what he consumes might be the reason behind any of this. Physical changes would also include developmental issues such as stunted growth. If you notice that there’s a delay in your puppy’s development, the dog food he eats probably doesn’t give him the right nutritional value.
Dental Problems
Starchy dog foods can stick to your Dogue’s gums and teeth. With that, the onset of tartar and plaque build-up is expected, especially if the dog has poor oral hygiene. Most kibbles contain high amounts of carbs as well and they can aggravate the plaque that’s already in your buddy’s teeth.
Behavioral Changes
Dogue de Bordeauxs are not couch potatoes. They have moderate energy levels, therefore, they need the right amount of fuel so they can last throughout the day. However, if he prefers snoozing and laying around, the food he consumes might be the cause of this behavioral change. It could be that he gained insufficient amounts of energy and is highly incapable to sweat off let alone move around.
What’s the Difference Between High and Low-Quality Foods?
High-quality dog food contains all nutrients essential for development and health support for dogs of all ages while low-quality ones mainly consist of animal by-products and grains considered to offer the least benefits for the four-legged pet.
It’s true that there is a wide array of options in the market when it comes to dog food products. Any Dogue de Bordeaux owner should be cautious in choosing what to give to their dogs. Some food brands have formulas that compromise quality in exchange for a cheaper price. Unaware consumers might think that it’s a great offer! Unfortunately, it isn’t.
3 Types of Food Your Dog Will Love
When you’re planning out the meal for your Dogue, start by adding in the essentials. Consider them to be your dog’s foundation to having a life full of vigor. Make sure you add in the following and guaranteed, you won’t have a problem encouraging your Dogue to finish the bowl:
- Protein
- Fruits & Vegetables
- Complex Carbs
On another note, home-prepped meals should never contain any of these since they can risk your buddy’s health:
- Onions and Garlic
- Macadamia Nuts
- Chocolate
- Avocado
- Alcohol
- Grapes and Raisins
Top Dog Food Brands We Recommend
We all agree with the fact that finding the best dog food for our Dogue is far from easy! With that, we have listed down brands consumers trust. If you have any questions or concerns, consult your vet for a more sound decision.
