Nutrition for the Miniature Schnauzer is so important.
Raw feeding, also known as the BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food), involves feeding dogs a diet primarily composed of raw meat, bones, organs, and some fruits and vegetables. Proponents of raw feeding argue that it more closely mimics the diet of wild canines and offers several potential benefits, including:
Improved Dental Health: Chewing on raw bones regularly will clean a dog's teeth and promote healthy gums, greatly reducing the risk of dental issues such as tartar buildup and gum disease. Bones must be raw and should be no smaller than the size of the dog’s head.
Healthy Skin and Coat: A diet rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from raw meats and fish oils can contribute to healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Enhanced Digestion: Raw foods are often more digestible for dogs, leading to smaller, firmer stools and potentially reducing issues like gas and bloating.
Increased Energy and Vitality: Raw feeders report that their dogs have increased energy levels, improved muscle tone, and overall vitality on a raw diet. This has certainly been our experience with our dogs eating raw, long term.
Reduced Allergies and Sensitivities: Eliminating processed ingredients and common allergens found in commercial dog foods helps to alleviate food allergies and sensitivities in some dogs.
Improved Long Term Health: Eating raw healthy food with no highly processed additives and maintaining a healthy weight means that dogs are less likely to develop conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and auto-immune diseases.
Fat: while a small amount of fat is healthy in all dog’s diets, Miniature Schnauzers fat intake should be low. Pork including bacon and ham or any processed meats should never be fed to them and treats such as peanut butter and cheeses should also be avoided. Caution is also needed when feeding marrow bones, it is recommended to scoop out most of the marrow as it has a very high fat content. Too much fat can lead to pancreatitis in small dogs, this is a very painful and expensive condition to treat. Treats can be foods such as frozen peas or bits of carrot, pumpkin skins and papaya skins.