Читать книгу The Complete Book of Dog Breeding - Dan Rice - Страница 37

Don’t buy excessive quantities of dry dog food at one time. Storage takes its toll on nutrients—fats may become rancid, vitamins A, D, E, K, and some B complex may be lost. Beware of buying dry dog food from stores that have low product inventory turnover.

Four brindle pups eating a nutritional meal.

Preservatives and additives help maintain palatability of dry foods, and will help protect them from early oxidation. In large kennel situations, when hundreds of pounds of food are purchased at one time, storage problems may be even worse. Sometimes the food is subjected to high temperatures, especially on the bottom of the stack. Deterioration is enhanced by elevated temperature.

Except for quantities fed, it isn’t necessary to change a bitch’s diet during her reproductive cycle, providing she is in excellent nutritional condition, being fed a complete, balanced, premium-quality dog food. It is an established fact that poor reproductive function is associated with marginal nutrition. Considering that your bitch has only two estrus cycles per year, if she misses the desired breeding time, the planned puppies will be at least six months late in arriving.

There are many premium foods available in pet supply stores, some supermarkets, and from veterinarians. Those products provide the type of nutrition that will enhance reproductive success if fed according to directions. Some premium brands formulate special diets for breeding animals during gestation and lactation. Nutritional information on the package will specify whether the product provides optimum nutrients for growth in puppies, brood bitches, lactating dams, or adult maintenance.