What can and can't you feed a Jack Russell Terrier? What and how to feed a Jack Russell Terrier: a healthy diet for a puppy and an adult dog

The Jack Russell Terrier is one of the hunting breeds, which are increasingly being acquired for keeping for decorative purposes. These dogs are popular because of their cheerful disposition, friendliness, activity, and small size. We will figure out what to feed and how to choose food for such a dog.

puppy feeding

In the first months of life, it is important for a Jack Russell Terrier puppy to receive all the necessary nutrients: in the period from 1 to 4 months, the body of a dog is formed. At this time, the skeleton, the muscular corset are actively developing, internal organs and systems begin to fully function. Lack of individual vitamins or minerals can manifest as health problems in the future.

One very important aspect should be taken into account - what breeders fed. When buying a two-month-old pet, they specify what exactly the previous owners fed him, whether they gave him special dry food or treated him with natural food. If the puppy is faced with a drastic change in diet, then this can be fraught with disruption of the digestive tract. The dog may first pounce on food, and then completely refuse to eat, be lethargic, vomiting and diarrhea are possible. This situation requires seeking advice from a veterinarian and further adjustment of nutrition.

It is believed that it is preferable to feed a Jack Russell Terrier puppy after weaning with natural food, because. it is easier to digest. Ready-made food can also be included in the nutrition system of a young pet. Their advantage lies in the full range of essential vitamins and minerals for an animal of a certain age.

As for natural food, the terrier's diet must necessarily include animal and vegetable products in a ratio of 70 - 30%. A puppy under 4 months old should eat 4-5 times a day:

dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk);

boiled meat (beef, chicken, rabbit);

boiled fish without bones;

vegetables and fruits (apples, carrots, cabbage, corn);

cereals (hercules, barley, millet, rice).

At 4-5 months, puppies begin to feed 4 times a day. After six months - 3 times, and you can give equal parts of animal and vegetable food.

After a year, the dog can be fed 2 times a day. But if this is not enough for the pet, then it is recommended that he arrange snacks in the form of separate salads or vegetables. You need to buy good feed composition, designed for a particular breed. The dry food serving volume is calculated by referring to the table given by the manufacturer on the food package.

Feeding adult dogs

In order for an adult terrier to feel good, it is necessary to properly care for him and provide a quality balanced diet. There are two main ways: to feed a natural food or transfer the dog to dry food. The first option is more complex and requires a lot of responsibility from the owner, since it is not too easy to provide a complete balanced diet with ordinary food. The second option is easier, but requires more material costs. Both principles of nutrition can be complete and incorrect at the same time - it all depends on the owner's attitude towards the pet and their own physical and financial capabilities.

natural feeding

The main difference in feeding a Jack Russell Terrier after a year is the ratio of meat products to vegetables, fruits and cereals.

It should be remembered that feeding a dog that has moderate physical activity (daily walks outside) and a hunter pet require different food requirements.

Animals that have a large regular load should consume more high-calorie food, and the volume of their portions should be larger. It is recommended to include a maximum of fats in the hunter's diet - home-made cottage cheese, raw meat (preferably beef), fatty fish.

The daily amount of food consumed by a healthy representative of the breed should be equal to the 10th part of body weight - this is an approximate indicator that is adjusted individually. If the offered food for the dog is not enough, you can treat the Jack Russell with vegetables or fruits. Important to remember: no breed of dog do not feed dry food and natural food at the same time.

List of useful products:

meat - beef, lamb, chicken, rabbit, duck, turkey;

offal - liver, kidneys, hearts, stomachs;

fish - fatty breeds without bones in boiled form or as minced meat;

cereals - rice, wheat, millet, barley and buckwheat;

vegetables - carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, radishes;

fruits - apples, pears, peaches.

How to choose good food

A Jack Russell dog can be effectively fed dry food that is suitable for a particular breed and contains all the nutrients the animal needs. This way of eating will save our own time and effort that we spend on cooking for our pet. Quality dog food is balanced, it includes only what is good for the animal.

Usually Jack Russell Terriers can be given food for dachshunds or greyhounds, but it is better to buy food from manufacturers specifically for this breed. Royal Canin for Jack Russell is a middle-class food that takes into account the characteristics of the breed and includes special components. It will suit most.

To calculate the amount to be given, refer to the table provided by the manufacturer on the package. Knowing the weight of the dog, you can calculate how much food he should eat during the day - this amount is divided by the number of meals. There should always be clean water near the food bowl.

There are a huge number of foods with different formulations that you can buy in pet stores, and not all of them are good. It must be remembered that high-quality food is expensive and is not found in every department with pet products. All industrial rations can be divided into 4 classes:

economy (Pedigree, Chappi);

premium (Dog Chow, 1st Choice);

super premium (Royal Canin, Pro Plan);

holistic (Nutra Gold, Acana).

To feed the Jack Russell Terrier, you need to buy premium food: they do not contain dyes and flavors, they are balanced and obtained by processing natural products. When choosing food, you need to take into account many aspects, including not only reviews, but also a number of other points, for example, the price and personal preferences of your pet.

All hunting breeds have an extremely active temperament and inquisitive mind. Quadrupeds need energy to explore the world, a boring and apathetic pet, this is not a hunter, and certainly not a Jack Russell Terrier. In nature, canines eat almost everything they find, but the basis of the diet is meat. Domesticated dogs need complex and sometimes dietary nutrition. We will figure out how to properly feed a Jack Russell Terrier, depending on age and needs.

Regardless of your plans for the future, immediately after the purchase of the baby, the diet should remain the same for another 10-14 days. Find out in advance what food for Jack Russell Terrier puppies is used in the kennel. Most often, these are industrial feeds of well-known brands. By following a number of rules, you can transfer your pet to a diet that is convenient for you without stress for the body:

Soak dry food, even if the breeder didn't.

If the puppy was kept exclusively on "drying", after 4-5 days they begin to mix canned food into it.

If you plan to switch your puppy to natural food, start with broth and boiled meat, then add vegetables and lastly cereals.
Any new food is introduced in small quantities - 1 teaspoon is enough for the first day.

Do not delay the transition from drying to natural, the adaptation period is no more than 14 days.

The natural diet of Jack Russell Terrier puppies includes feeding meat, milk, vegetables and cereals (50:20:15:15). In the diet of the baby, feed additives with complexes of vitamins and nutrients must be present. The course of taking supplements continues in all stages of growth, although it does not hurt to change the complexes (of different compositions).

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Dogs under the age of 7-10 months should receive a daily food allowance, divided into several meals:

1 month- 7 servings.
2 months- 6 portions.
3 months- 5 portions.
4–6 months- 4 portions.
6–10 months- 3 portions.
10–12 months- 2 portions. At the age of one year, the dog is transferred to a single meal or left with a two-time regimen.

If you strive to properly feed a Jack Russell Terrier puppy, in addition to a quality diet and fractional meals, weighing should become a habit. Light weight gain may not be visually noticeable, but it is detrimental to the joints. Did you feed the puppy and he, exhausted, collapsed to sleep? You may be overfeeding your baby. Industrial feeds are fed according to the instructions (it is on each package). Do not forget that dry food is divided into children's and adult.

Remember! Each dog has individual needs and metabolism. Do not get too carried away with the instructions, focus solely on the well-being and condition of the dog.

Natural adult dog diet

It is believed that the natural nutrition of an adult Jack Russell Terrier is more natural and healthy than the best commercially produced food. There is some truth in this, but only if the Jack Russell Terrier's diet is correct. An adult energetic pet should receive:

33–40% food of animal origin- beef, poultry, pork (only lean and boiled), offal, soft cartilage, dairy products (if there is no allergy).

33% plant food– carrots, beets (may weaken the intestines), pumpkin, peeled zucchini, cabbage (stewed / boiled), turnips, potatoes (only raw), apples and any fruit that the dog likes (except citrus).

26–33% cereals- buckwheat, rice, barley groats. Rarely wheat. Only in case of appointment by a veterinarian - barley.

There is an opinion that dairy products are absorbed by the dog's body only in puppyhood. From the point of view of natural selection, this is logical, because an adult wolf is no longer fed by its mother. However, do not confuse wild animals and "spoiled" pets. Game meat is much richer in vitamins and proteins. The statement is true if you feed the four-legged venison, hare or other game, if not, milk, cottage cheese, live yogurt will not be superfluous.

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Sweet food is excluded, but if your ward "shivers looking at the candy" - this is a clear sign of a lack of "fast carbohydrates". Harmful sweets can be replaced with fruits or honey (if there is no allergy). The use of spices and salt is not recommended, although in practice many owners "flavor" their pets' porridge to eliminate freshness. To improve digestion, vegetable oils are added to the porridge - sunflower or olive.

Important! The daily norm of food for a dog is calculated based on its weight.

3-5% for a pet with moderate exercise.

6-10% for the period of active work, hunting, passing tests.

Feeding an adult dog with commercial food

Feeding Jack Russell Terriers dry food has several advantages:

Saving time for cooking.

Possibility of using an automatic feeder.

The ability to accurately calculate the daily food intake.

You will never miscalculate the dosage of vitamins and nutrients, as premium food (or higher) is balanced.

Important! After eating dry food, the granules increase in volume, absorbing liquid. Be sure to provide your dog with enough water and easy access to a drinker.

Industrial feed also has a “reverse side of the coin”. A really high-quality product will cost you much more than a balanced natural diet, especially when it comes to canned food. If suddenly, at some point in your life, you decide to transfer the ward to economy class food, you should know:

Such products have a legume, not a meat base. Regular feeding will lead to metabolic disorders and malfunctions of the hormonal system.

Poor-quality feed contains a lot of salt, as a result of urolithiasis, gastritis, ulcers, sore joints.

It is not worth talking about the content of meat, do not believe the advertisement - read the composition. It is honestly written there, proteins of animal origin, that is, waste from the processing of carcasses.

Jack Russell Terrier is a hunting dog, although now it is increasingly being acquired for indoor keeping. But in order for her to be mobile and cheerful, she needs proper nutrition.

Feeding a Jack Russell Terrier puppy

At first, the puppy must be fed in the same way as the breeder. Club puppies are more often in which the nutrients are already properly balanced. If the puppy was on natural food, then you will have to independently observe the ratio of plant and animal products in the diet.

How to feed a Jack Russell Terrier puppy correctly? What to give your pet? 75% must be animal products - meat and milk. And only a quarter of the diet should be vegetable, which includes cereals, vegetables and fruits. In no case should a puppy be overfed, even if he has a very good appetite, he will grow too quickly, become heavier and this will lead to problems with paws and bone development.

For a Jack Russell Terrier puppy, the main thing is not the quantity, but the quality of the food. The daily feeding rate with natural food for up to a year can be calculated based on 10% of the puppy's weight. Up to four months, the puppy is fed six times a day. Each meal should be different from the previous one, for example:

milk porridge,
meat (beef is best) with porridge,
cottage cheese,
vegetable salad,
fruit,
soup or omelet.

Every day, the puppy should be given raw meat with porridge, vegetables and any dairy products. Twice a week (up to 3 months - one) they give the yolk of a boiled egg, fish and boiled offal (heart, lung, udder, stomachs). The consistency of dishes for a small puppy should be like liquid sour cream, gradually hardening by the age of five months.

From now on, it is useful for the puppy to gnaw on hard enough foods so that on time. By six months, it is necessary to transfer the puppy to three meals a day, and by 9 months - to two meals a day.

Feeding an Adult Jack Russell Terrier

The daily norm of feeding for an adult dog should be 3-5% of its weight. This calculation is correct if the dog is kept as a pet and its only active load is walking and playing while walking. If the Jack Russell Terrier is used for its original purpose - for hunting, then during active preparation and, moreover, work, the dog needs to be fed more.

An adult dog needs less meat than a puppy and the proportion varies. Enough 50-60% meat products and 40-50 - vegetable. From dairy products, it is enough to leave only milk, and low-fat sour cream can sometimes be seasoned with salads.

Feeding dry food

The most convenient option for feeding a Jack Russell Terrier is dry food, which contains all the necessary vitamins and components. Don't change food often. This is only acceptable in cases of allergies or due to a particular food.

When changing food, you must first buy a small pack and give it carefully to the dog, carefully observing the reaction of the body. The amount of food should depend on the age of the pet. It should be carefully controlled according to the tables drawn on the packs of food.

Buying Jack Russell Terrier food by weight is unacceptable. For dogs that work on the hunt, it is better to choose food for active dogs with a high proportion of protein.

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Cheerful, intelligent, loving hunting, long walks and various games - this is how the Jack Russell Terrier breed dogs are described. With such an active lifestyle, one of the main steps in caring for a pet is organizing the right diet. Not sure what to feed your Jack Russell Terrier? Let's find out how to properly feed the Jack Russell Terrier, taking into account its physiological characteristics.

Experienced dog breeders begin to teach dogs to properly balanced nutrition from an early age. In order for the animal to feel good and be healthy, remember a simple rule: the food for the Jack Russell Terrier must be of high quality, balanced and complete. It is strictly forbidden to give food from the human table - such products can adversely affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Dogs should be fed according to their age. For a puppy and an adult dog, the diet should differ not only in the amount of servings, but also in its composition. The dog is a carnivore, so the basis of the diet consists of animal products. In addition to meat and meat offal, the Jack Russell menu includes cereals, vegetables and fruits.

However, there are a number of foods that need to be excluded from the diet of a pet. So, what you can not feed the Jack Russell Terrier:

bones, in particular tubular, which can injure the stomach;
pork;
sausages;
smoked meats, pickles, fried foods;
sugar, sweets, confectionery;
grapes, raisins, strawberries, citrus fruits.

Feeding puppies

Feeding a puppy is different from the diet of an adult dog. What to feed a Jack Russell Terrier puppy, you ask?

At the age of 1.5-2 months, the puppy can begin to wean from the mother's breast. Each new product is introduced into the diet separately, while it is necessary to monitor the condition and well-being of a small dog for two to three days. Divide your daily intake into several meals. For example, a 3-month-old Jack Russell Terrier is fed five times a day, while a 7-month-old puppy should be fed three times a day.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a hunting breed with a so-called late aging. As dog breeders note, “old age” in representatives of this breed occurs at the age of 7-9 years. From this period, the owner needs to review the diet of his four-legged friend and transfer it to a more sparing diet.

The daily diet of an old dog is about 80% protein food. This reduces the amount of cereals and dairy products. If the animal eats industrial feed, you should choose products marked "Senior".

Feed overview

Not sure what food to feed your Jack Russell Terrier? Please note that hunting dogs can eat not only products of animal and vegetable origin, but also ready-made industrial feeds.

Dry food

Today, pet stores offer a wide range of wet, semi-moist and dry food to the attention of buyers. When choosing food for the Jack Russell Terrier, be guided by the rating and popularity of brands, give preference to premium or super premium class products. The best manufacturers of industrial feed for hunting breeds are the following brands: Royal Canin, ProBalance, Hills, Optima Nova and others.

natural nutrition

When making a choice in favor of natural foods, make sure that the diet is balanced. Try to feed your pet at the same time. Do not forget that there should be a container with clean drinking water next to the food / food bowl.

Products that can be included in the menu of a Jack Russell Terrier dog breed:

veal, beef and chicken;
organ meats (heart, liver, kidneys);
sea fish;
porridge from rice, oatmeal, buckwheat;
vegetables, in particular broccoli, pumpkin, cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, beets and greens;
boiled eggs (no more than once every 7-10 days);
dairy products;
fruits, especially bananas, pears and apples.

Feeds and vitamins

Active and mobile dogs need not only the right balanced diet, but also supplements with vitamins and minerals. However, as experienced breeders recommend, you should not succumb to marketing tricks by purchasing a “universal” drug consisting of 40 or more components.

Jack Russells will need fish oil, probiotics, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and natural yeast to keep them healthy.

Among the abundance of vitamin complexes that can be seen on the shelves of pet stores and veterinary pharmacies, the drug Lifepack is in high demand among dog breeders. Vitamins and trace elements can be taken in courses, be sure to take breaks and alternate supplements. Please note that hypervitaminosis is no less dangerous for the health of an animal than a lack of vitamins.

Video "Energetic Jack Russell Terrier Breed"

From this video you will learn about the amazing Jack Russell Terrier breed, why it is unique and how to care for it.

The Jack Russell Terrier is one of the most popular dog breeds today. These little dogs are distinguished by their restless character, cheerful disposition and endless energy. Jack Russells are unpretentious and do not require special care, but the owner should prepare for long and active walks. Let's figure out what to feed the Jack Russell Terrier and what else this breed is remarkable for.

Appearance and character

The Jack Russell Terrier breed is named after the English priest John Jack Russell, a great hunter. Russell wanted to develop the perfect hunter who could follow a fox into its hole without getting stuck or dirty. This is how the Russell Terrier came to be. A distinctive feature of this breed is a powerful physique. Despite its small size, it is a very strong and hardy dog with a developed chest, strong paws and a powerful grip.

Another recognizable feature of the breed is its color. By standard, the Jack Russell should be completely white with small brown spots on the muzzle and on the tail. The coat of the Jack Russell Terrier is dense and hard, able to repel dirt and water.

Regardless of the length of the coat, it is enough to comb out the Jack Russell once a week with a stiff brush. Brush mittens are best suited for these purposes.

Breed features

Jack Russells are born hunters. But their endless energy has a downside: such a dog needs to be occupied all the time with something, give it a decent physical activity.

Despite the increased activity, these dogs usually have an accommodating character: the Jack Russell obeys the owner well, is receptive to training and is able to quickly memorize dozens of commands. True, in the house where the Jack Russell Terrier lives, it is better not to start cats - the hunting instinct can prevail over complaisance.

This breed is considered to be one of the smartest. However, the Jack Russell needs to be trained and taught to order and commands from an early age. It is very important to spend as much time as possible with your dog during its maturation period and not limit your communication to walks.

Jack Russell owners are advised to exercise regularly with them.
Agility is a complex of sports competitions, which consists in quickly overcoming an obstacle course. Both the pet performing the exercises and the owner are directly involved in the competition. Such a sport will perfectly suit the temperament of your dog and will positively affect not only the health of the pet, but also the owner.

If you are not ready to train with your dog agility, then every few weeks change the routes of your walks, or even go with your pet to some new place. These dogs love to learn new things. By the way, transporting a Jack Russell is very simple. You can simply put this dog in a bag and take it with you on the subway. With it, they are most often allowed on board the aircraft, since the average size of the breed is allowed to carry it in the cabin, and not in the luggage compartment.

What to feed a Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell grows and develops very quickly. He is constantly on the move, which means he needs high-energy food. That is why it is recommended to feed your Jack Russell Terrier puppy a diet high in protein and fat. For puppies up to 10 months old, ROYAL CANIN ® is suitable. In addition to being well balanced and providing all the vitamins and minerals a puppy needs, the kibbles are made to help clean tartar from a growing dog's teeth. In Jack Russell Terrier puppies, before 10 months of age, the digestive system is not fully developed and cannot absorb nutrients as efficiently as the digestive system of an adult dog, therefore the Jack Russell Terrier Junior formula helps to maintain normal digestion and maintain a balance of digestive flora.

Adult dogs - from 10 months onwards - are transferred to. Since the dog has grown and matured, she now needs a slightly different diet. Thanks to the adapted content of proteins and fats, a complex of antioxidants, it contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass and helps the dog to maintain strength and energy. This food contains a complex of polyunsaturated fatty acids that keep the dog's coat and skin in perfect condition. Food kibbles are made specifically for the Jack Russell Terrier breed, taking into account the structural features of the jaw of these dogs.

Do not forget that in addition to proper nutrition, the Jack Russell, like any other dog, needs regular visits to the veterinarian. Once a year, a healthy dog should undergo a routine checkup.

But the most important rule of this breed is a lot of walks, a lot of games and physical activity. Do not let your pet get bored, then he will not let you get bored until his very old age.