Nutrition for Dobermans

Doberman Pinschers are large German dogs with a powerful bite and a smooth black and tan coat. With a lot of energy and attentive mindset, the dogs have a voracious appetite, which is why paying attention to nutrition is the key to keeping your dog healthy. Whereas there are many options for food to feed Dobermans, the key is finding a food that satisfies your dog's nutritional needs and appeals to its personal preference.

  1. Things to Consider

    • You should consider the individual traits of your dog and assess its nutritional needs accordingly. The dog's age, activity level, energy level, metabolism and exposure to stressful situations should dictate the type of food that you feed it. For example, you don't want to feed a dog that sits on the couch all day a heaping bowl of meat, and you don't want to feed an active guard dog a tiny morsel of food. For an active adult dog, consider a high-calorie food with a protein-to-fat ratio of 26-to-16.

    Contents of Food

    • Whereas you may want to find a commercial food that has ingredients that suit your particular breed, all dogs need certain things in their diet: protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. In addition, you don't have to supply your Doberman with meat, but it is important that it gets plenty of protein, whether from meat or meat substitutes. Consulting the nutrition facts on the side of a dog food label can help you determine what nutrients the food contains.

    Commercial Dog Foods

    • Numerous commercial dog foods boast vegetables and dry meat components, but these often have detrimental byproducts, such as artificial flavorings, preservatives and other harmful chemicals. Many times, organic dog food can provide a better alternative because it does not have the bad byproducts. Many premium dog food stores also sell Doberman-specific dog food, which is often healthier for Dobermans than a more general organic offering.

    Vitamins and Supplements

    • Many commercial food advertisements suggest that certain dog foods have all of the supplements that a Doberman needs, but these can be misleading. Scientists debate as to whether or not vitamins and food supplements are good for dogs in the long run. In particularly, too much calcium can be bad for dogs. This is why it is better to get a balanced dog food than to supply your dog with pills or extra supplements. In addition, if you are worried that your Doberman is unhealthy and vitamin-deficient, you should take it to a veterinarian, who will most likely be able to assess your dog's health and nutrition.