Breed specific diets

Pedigree animals are very popular pets, and there are now diets available for some of the more common breeds that are design specifically with their individual requirements in mind. Royal Canin produces an extensive range of diets for specific breeds. Proplan produces diets for the different breed types.

Dogs

Yorkshire Terriers

One of the most common problems we see with yorkies is poor teeth, they are very prone to tartar build up, so the diets for them are designsed with special kibbles to help keep the teeth clean.
The diets are also very easily digestible as Yorkies can have sensitive guts. They also contain nutrients for the cells of the intestines to keep them as healthy as possble.
Yorkies are a very long lived breed, surviving regualrly into their teens. Diets are designed with this in mind, they contain ingredients to help maintain mental function, as senility is common in older dogs and also to help support the kidneys and heart.

Yorkies are particularly prone to tartar build up on their teeth.
Yorkies are a particularly long lived breed and these diets help prevent senile changes

Dachshund

With their long backs, Dachshunds are very prone to spinal problems, particularly if they are overweight.
Diets designed for them are calorie controlled and make it difficult for them to gain weight, They also contain ingredients to help protect and maintain the spine and the joints between the vertebrae.
Again, they can be prone to dental problems so the kibbles are designed to keep the teeth clean.
The diets are also designed to delay any senile changes, support internal organs and stimulate the immune system.

Dachshunds have very long backs, and they can be prone to spinal problems, especially if they gain weight

Poodles

Poodles have very dense coats, and if they are clipped to show standards, their skin is exposed. For both these reasons, diets for poodles have high levels of nutrients to promote good hair growth and skin health.
The diets are also designed with dental care in mind, and contain high levels of ingredients to maintain the joints and delay arthritic problems.

Poodles have very thick coats and these diets are designed to help keep them full and healthy
Standard poodles are large dogs, and can be prone to joint problems

Bulldogs

Bulldogs can be very sensitive, and can suffer from both skin problems and easily upset guts. Therefore, diets designed for them tend to be easily digested, and high in ingredients which maintain good skin health.
Because of the shape of their heads and mouth, Bulldogs can have teeth problems, and sometimes find it difficult to pick up their food. Diets for them can have specially shaped kibble, which they find easier to eat.
Bulldogs can also suffer from joint problems, especially as they age, so their diets are rich in supplements to support the joints.

Bulldogs can have sensitive skin and stomachs, so these diets are easily digested and support the skin.
These diets have specially shaped kibble, so bulldogs find it easier to eat with their flat faces.

Boxers

Boxers can suffer from sensitive guts, so diets for them are easily digestible.
Like Bulldogs, Boxers have flattened faces, so Royal Canin has designed the kibble to be easy for them to pick up from their bowls.
Boxers are also prone to heart problems, especially in mid to late life, so diets for them have increased levels of nutrition to protect the heart.
Being a larger breed, they can suffer from arthritis, therefore, the diets contain high levels of the joint supplements, Glucosamine, Chondroitin and omega fatty acids.

Boxers can suffer from both arthritis and heart problems, so these diets support both the joints and the heart.
These diets have specially shaped kibble which boxers fine easier to eat with their flattened faces.

Labradors

Royal Canin produce 2 different diets for Labradors, one for young dogs up to the age of 15 months and one for adult animals.
They are broadly similar but obviously the diet for younger dogs is suitable for growth as large breeds often don’t stop growing until they are over 1 year old.
Both are higher in protein and lower in fats and carbohydrates as Labradors are a breed notorius for gaining weight easily, and this combination means it is more difficult for the body to lay down fat deposits.
The younger dog diet is particularly easily digestible and also contains ingredients which help balance the gut bacterial population. Young Labradors are notorius scavengers, and often get diahorrea because of it, this diet aims to keep the guts as healthy as possible so they can withstand anything the dog eats!
Both diets contain the added joint supplements, Glucosamine and Chondroitin, as Labradors are a breed which very commonly develop arthritis.
Labradors have very thick coats and can be prone to developing dry skin. Therefore, these diets have ingredients which strengthen the skin, and keep is supple and well hydrated.

Royal Canin produces diets for both growing and adult labradors.
Labradors are very prone to weight gain, and also to arthritis.

German Shepherd Dogs

For the German Shepherds, Royal Canin produces 2 diets, one for young dogs from the ages of 2-15 months, and one for adult dogs.
German Shepherds are notorius for very senstive stomachs, both these diets are very easily digestible and contain additives which help maintain a healthly bacterial gut population, making diahorrea less likely.
Both contain high levels of joint supplements, Glucosamine, Chondroitin and fatty acids, as German Shepherds very commonly develop arthritis, and these supplements can delay the onset of the disease.
These diets also contain ingredients which promote good skin health, strengthening the skins natural barriers and helping the dog to have a glossy coat.

Diets for German Shepherds are also available for both young and adult dogs.
German Shepherds very commonly have sensitive stomachs, and these diets easily digestible

Cats

Persians

Royal Canin produces 2 diets for Persians, one for young cats from 4-12 months, and another for adult cats.
Both diets have specially shaped kibble. Due to their flat faces, Persians can have trouble picking up thier food. These kibbles make it easier, they are also designed to help keep the teeth clean as Persians are very prone to tartar build up
Persians have very long, thick coats and these diets help to maintain both the skin and the coats in good health. They also contain an ingredient, L-Tyrosine, which intensifies the coat colour.
Persians are 2.5 times more prone to the development of bladder crystals and stones than other cats, so this diet is designed to make the formation of bladder stones less likely.
Persians are very sensitive cats in general and so these diets contain high levels of antioxidants, which help the body cope with any stresses it encounters.
These diets are also very easily digestible, and like many in the Royal Canin range, contain ingredients which promote good bacterial gut health.

Persians have very thick coats, these diets contain additives to help keep the coats in the best of health
Persians can have very flat faces, these diets have specially shaped kibbles which are easier for the cats to manipulate.

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of cat, it is therefore prone to joint problems, especially as they age. The diets for them contain high levels of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and omega 3 fatty acids, these help maintain the joints and cartiledge in good health.
The kibbles are designed with dental care in mind, chewing them helps keep the levels of tartar down.
Maine Coons have very thick and long coats, this diet is designed with high levels of fish oils and also contains L-tyrosine, which aim to keep the coat glossy and with intensive colour.
The diet is very easily digestible and maintains the guts in good health. This is important in Maine Coons as they are large cats and have high energy requirements.

Maine Coons have very long and thick coats, these diets help keep them healthy.
Maine Coons are very large cats and can be prone to joint problems. These diets help support the joints.

Siamese

Siamese are naturally very lean cats, with only minimal fat deposits. These diets are high in protein which helps maintain lean muscle and also help to make the cat feel full.
L-carnitine is added to these diets, it is a supplement which helps the cats keep muscular figure and reduces the bodies ability to lay down fat.
Research has shown that Siameses’ can be a greedy breed and prone to vomiting and regurgitating their food because of this. The kibble is designed to take time for the cat to eat, thereby slowing the rate of ingestion and helping to limit regurgitation.
Again, the diet is highly digestible, designed to promote a healthy gut, and the kibble is also designed to keep the teeth clean

Siamese cats are nauturally very lean, these diets help them maintain their muscular figures, and prevent them from getting too fat.
The unique tubular kibble shape is designed to keep the teeth clean, and ensures the cats chew properly.

Breed Type Diets

Proplan have taken a slightly different approach to their diets and produced a range of ‘breed type diets’ for larger breeds of dogs. These are ‘Robust’ and ‘Athletic’. these are based on the principle that different large breeds of dog have different body shapes, with differing proportions of muscle and fat, which leads them to have differing nutritional requirements

Robust

Robust dogs tend to have the same chest and waist measurements, giving them cylindrical shaped bodies .
They have a large body shape and a powerful frame.
These breeds have a high proportion of body fat compared to muscle mass, and therefore have lower energy requirements, even when exercising.
Examples for robust breeds include; Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Rottweilers and St Bernards

Athletic

Athletic dogs tend to have deep chests and thin abdomens, giving the body a cone shape.
They tend to be lean, muscular and have long and powerful legs
They have high energy requirements, even when not exercising, due to their high proportion of lean muscle mass.
Examples of athletic breeds include German Shepherds, Boxers, Pointers and Setters.

Robust breeds have a cylindrical body shape, with a higher proportion of body fat.
Proplan Athletic and Robust large breeds diets
Athletic breeds have a cone shaped body, and a higher proportion of lean muscle mass.

Please note this is an advice only website, if you have any specific concerns or queries about your pet, you should contact your vet.

Tags: Breeding, Cats, Diet, Dogs, Food, Pet food