|
Home |
|
Our Story and our dogs |
|
About the Miniature Schnauzer |
|
Puppy & Training Page |
|
Toys, Schnoodles, & odd colors??? |
|
Health Pages |
|
Dog Law, AR and you |
|
Links |
|
Health Pages |
|
To contact us: |
|
A well bred miniature schnauzer should live to be 12-14 years old. Some have been known to live to 17 years old!
There are two diseases that seem to be prevalent in the pet populations. They are diabetes and pancreatitis. Interestingly enough, those diseases are not very common in the show lines across the country. After speaking to a vet from Cornell University, it may be that more pets are fed a poorer diet, fed fatty table scraps whereas the show breeders are more apt to have dogs that are closer to optimum weight and condition.
This vet said that they always see a rash of pancreatitis right after Thanksgiving when the dogs are fed the leftover turkey skin and fat.
It is therefore extremely important to feed a healthy well-balanced diet to your dog. As with people, they are what they eat!
There are a number of extremely good quality foods available today. They include the following brands: Solid Gold, Merrick, Eagle Pack and many more. Read the labels carefully, as Schnauzers do not need high levels of fat in their diets as hyperlipidemia or high blood fats can be common in the breed. In fact a new study is just beginning at Texas A & M University regarding this disease.
I feed a mix of Blue Buffalo, Taste of the Wild and Canidae kibbles which I add my home-made “doggie stew”. I was buying high quality canned food to use as a topper, but I decided to try to make my own as it would be better quality at a much more reasonable price. They also get fresh baby carrots and other fresh fruits & veggies and a few high quality dog biscuits for treats.
Here are my “Doggie Stew” recipes! I mix about 3/4 kibble to 1/4 doggie stew.
Recipe #1
1 lb. lean ground beef - browned and drained Boil 1 cup macaroni in 1 can of low salt or no-salt chicken or beef broth until tender - do not drain 16 oz. bag frozen peas & carrots or mixed veggies 1 can low salt stewed tomatoes 1/8th teaspoon garlic powder 1 T. dried parsley Mix all together and mix with kibble for a healthy, delicious meal!
Recipe #2
1 lb. ground turkey - browned and drained Boil one peeled and diced sweet potato and 1/4 cup macaroni in 1 can of low salt chicken broth until tender - do not drain 16 oz. bag frozen peas & carrots or mixed veggies 1 can low salt stewed or no salt added diced tomatoes 1 T. dried parsley 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme Mix all together
I store the stew in plastic containers and they freeze great. the dogs go ape over it and it's so much cheaper than canned and SO much better for them. No additives, no preservatives!
I do give my dogs Greenies weekly and once a month they get frozen raw marrow bones. I believe this helps their teeth and can reduce the need for professional cleanings. But ever dog is different. It also helps to brush your dogs teeth weekly. Buy a battery operated Oral B type toothbrush (with a small head). Use doggie toothpaste (not peoples toothpaste). That too will help keep plaque and tarter at bay.
I also recently became aware of natural product called Petzlife Oral Care Gel and Spray. I picked some up at Petsmart and have been using it with good success on my dogs. Gus had the worst teeth of my dogs, and this product has markedly reduced his plaque and improved his breath, however, I did have his teeth cleaned by my vet recently and he needed 4 teeth pulled.
********************************************************
There are other diseases that can affect the breed as well. Some are more common that others.
Here are some links to some informative websites.
Marvista Vet I really find this a very helpful website. They offer simple, easy to understand explanations and cover everything from medications, surgical procedures and an index of diseases. A great place to start your research.
Simply Schnauzer Health & Nutrition A website dedicated to conditions that may affect the miniature schnauzer.
|
