Standard Schnauzer (detailed introduction)

　　Newly purchased Standard Schnauzer puppies should not be bathed or taken outside for walks within the first half month after returning home, because their gastrointestinal function is not yet fully developed, so owners must pay great attention to their diet.
　　Feeding key points
　　Dogs’ stomachs react strongly to cow’s milk meant for humans, which can easily cause diarrhea; if concerned about the dog’s nutrition, consider feeding goat milk powder. Puppies under two months are recommended to be fed moistened dry food or soaked dry food. Other foods often cause indigestion, diarrhea, etc., so strictly avoid feeding such items to dogs. Puppies need to be fed more frequently than adult dogs, typically 4 times a day with small, frequent meals. If nutritional needs seem insufficient, consider boiling an egg daily – do not let the dog swallow the yolk whole, best to feed it in three or four portions. Do not feed the dog egg white as it is difficult to digest. If you also have cats at home, store cat food properly to prevent dogs from sneaking excess protein-rich cat food. Leftover food after feeding should be discarded, especially in hot summers. Provide ample clean water in a clean container; do not feed raw water—cool boiled water is preferred and fresh water should be changed continuously, not kept stale for days. Let the dog drink freely.
　　Protein in the dog’s body breaks down into amino acids, which benefit various organs, muscles, blood, bones, coat, skin, and claw tissues.
　　Fat, once inside the body, remains in the digestive organs for a long time providing satiety. Excessive fat intake combined with insufficient exercise causes fat accumulation leading to obesity.
　　Besides protein, fat, and carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins are indispensable to a dog’s body. A deficiency in minerals and vitamins affects bone development and disease resistance. Therefore, owners should carefully check ingredient labels when choosing dog food!
　　Balanced nutrition: dog feed
　　Diet and feeding methods for adult Schnauzers:
　　When dogs reach adulthood, feed them once or twice a day; during puppyhood, growth status need not be overly emphasized, but the most important thing is to avoid obesity, especially excessive fat.
　　Dogs enter the early senior stage at about 7 to 8 years old. To prevent geriatric diseases, meals should be as light as possible with no sweets. To prevent obesity, daily exercise is even more important—for example, before eating, take a walk, allow for defecation and grooming, then feed; this is ideal. To prevent picky eating, meals must be regular and controlled in quantity—this is the key to maintaining adult dog health.
　　High-quality senior dog food contains concentrated high-quality protein, low fat, and easily digestible carbohydrates as energy sources. Some key minerals enhance aging joint function, while vitamins C and E, along with protein, resist infections due to lowered immunity.
　　As dogs age, their sense of smell and taste decline slightly, and chewing ability decreases. Therefore, smaller kibble allows your dog to fully absorb the nutrients in the food, and foods with higher meat content help maintain good appetite. You can also occasionally add a canned food to the kibble to increase your dog’s desire to eat.