Feeding of the Mastiff, all the necessary information to nourish and satisfy this breed of dog among the largest in the world.
If your intention is to adopt a Mastiff breed dog and therefore a specimen not so widespread in our country, it is necessary to deepen the knowledge.
This is essential, as it is important to take care of it in the right way and satisfy it in the most appropriate way.
Therefore, before introducing a rather demanding dog into your life, it is good to know how much and what it eats. So let’s see what the Mastiff’s diet consists of.
Feeding the Mastiff
Have you wondered what you will have to feed your Mastiff, how many meals a day and what not to give them?
When adopting a dog it is good to get the necessary information, as dogs eat differently and above all in different quantities.
This diversity is due to the physical characteristics and lifestyle that each animal supports.
This is why, before reaching the conclusion, it is good to clarify these two points.
Therefore we can tell you that the Mastiff is a dog of English origin with a powerful and large tonnage.
It is a giant-sized dog, with incredible muscular power, with a height at the withers between 70 and 83 cm. The average weight of a male specimen is about 90 kg.
The Mastiff is among the largest dogs in the world but is peaceful and calm, even tending to be a bit lazy.
Its considerable size suggests keeping it in the garden, but it must be remembered that it needs contact with its human family.
It can also live in an apartment, but a walk every day should be planned as it can be a good way to keep them in good health.
Now taking into account their physical characteristics, lifestyle and other factors such as age, gender and state of health, it is possible to make a rough estimate of the amount of food to give them.
Naturally, it is also good to consider the calories that a single specimen burns and seek the opinion of the vet.
Generally, an adult Mastiff consumes about 1 kg of food per day.
The diet must be complete and balanced and divided into 2 meals a day.
From weaning up to three months, four meals are recommended, then three meals from three to seven months and finally two meals over seven months.
The food ration will have to increase in parallel with the weight gain.
What to feed the Mastiff
The main nutrients can not and must never be lacking in the Mastiff’s diet.
These nutrients are composed of: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins for dogs.
Even many veterinarians recommend for the first 24 months of life, to subject the dog to food supplements rich in vitamins and minerals.
The Mastiff’s diet must be well balanced, regardless of whether you prefer a home-style diet based on the BARF model or an industrial product.
Its molossoid size requires adequate nutrition at every stage of growth, so as to guarantee its correct development.
However, be careful, like all large breeds, stomach torsion can occur with feeding and movement.
Furthermore, being a dog with a big appetite, it is good to ensure that it moves daily, so as to keep their body weight under control.
What not to give: toxic food for dogs
All the friends of these faithful and loyal furry four-legged friends like to share food in moments of play, relaxation or as a reward.
However, these foods that may seem good, are highly toxic for the dog, first of all chocolate.
There are other foods that must absolutely be avoided and they are:
- onion;
- chocolate;
- coffee;
- drinks containing caffeine;
- avocado.
- alcohol;
- garlic;
These are some of the most dangerous foods for the Mastiff but for all dogs in general, it is therefore good to pay attention to what you give and above all share with your dog.
In addition to foods, certain types of cooking (such as frying) and food temperatures can also harm your dog’s digestive system.
For any doubts and to be sure of what is good to share with your dog, you should contact your vet.