best dog food for xoloitzcuintli puppies

Best Dog Food For Standard Xoloitzcuintlis

Best Dog Food For Standard Xoloitzcuintlis With Allergies

Allergies are an exaggerated or pathological immunological reaction to a substance. There are multiple types of allergies including skin allergies, environmental allergies, and food allergies.

Unfortunately, symptoms for different types of allergies often overlap. Therefore, diagnosing and treating dogs with allergies can be very difficult.

Food allergies are actually less common than most people think. Dog owners often confuse food allergies with food sensitivities. The difference is that food sensitives do not cause an immune response. Instead, food sensitives cause a gradual reaction to a particular ingredient.

With food allergies or sensitives, standard xoloitzcuintli owners often notice symptoms such as itching, ear infections, foot infections, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The most common culprits are beef, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, pork, rabbit, and fish.

If you know the specific ingredients you need to avoid, use the advanced settings on our use our food finder to search for products without those ingredient.

If you do not know the specific ingredients your dog must avoid, consult with your dog's regular veterinarian or dermatology veterinarian. You can also try feeding a limited ingredient diet which does not contain any of the most common allergens.

Top 3 Picks For Standard Xoloitzcuintlis With Food Allergies or Sensitivities

5 Best Dog Foods For Xoloitzcuintlis (2024)

How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Xoloitzcuintlis

The distinctive Xoloitzcuintli is a unique breed that was not developed by any human design. It is one of few breeds to have formed completely on its own without any intervention from mankind. It is believed that this ancient breed traces its roots as far back as the Aztecs.

The name Xoloitzcuintli is also attributed to Aztec origins. Xolotl is the Aztec god associated with fire that was also responsible for accompanying the dead to their new lives in the underworld. The latter portion of the name itzcuintli translate literally to dog. The Aztecs had great faith in these dogs, believing them capable of healing and protection. In addition to their role as spiritual protectors, the Xoloitzcuintli were also a food source for the Aztecs.

Today, the breed is also referred to as the Mexican hairless dog. This dog type was nearly extinct but has experienced a resurgence of popularity. The breed is highly prized in its native Mexico where it is revered as a national treasure. In all of the world today, there are only 30,000 Xoloitzcuintli in existence.

A dog breed with an unusual appearance, the Xoloitzcuintli can be somewhat daunting for first time owners to approach. The Xoloitzcuintlis body is nearly entirely hairless except for a strip of hair running through the middle of its head that is reminiscent of a mohawk.

The Xoloitzcuintli is impressively muscled with a sleek frame. Its head shape is quite distinctive, starting as a wedge and narrowing to a point at the muzzle. The brow wrinkles of the Xoloitzcuintli gives the impression of sternness, but this expression belies a dog that is loyal and affectionate to those it loves most. This dog types eyes vary in hue from a rich yellow to completely black.

A breed available in three different variations, the small, medium, and large, the Xoloitzcuintl has a calm demeanor and requires only moderate daily activity to remain physically and mentally satisfied. However, this dog breed has very high prey drive and is territorial by nature. The Xoloitzcuintli should be kept in a securely fenced yard, and strangers should be alerted to the fact that this dog will bite to protect its home and family.

The Xoloitzcuintli is typically a very healthy dog. However, there are a few genetic conditions which can be problematic for this dog including skin and teeth issues. Because this dog is nearly completely hairless, it is necessary to provide sun protection for it to prevent sunburn from occurring.

Though diet alone cannot necessarily thwart predisposed genetic illness, the best dog foods for Xoloitzcuintlis can provide a vital help in maintaining the dogs best possible health. The ideal diet for this unusual breed consists of approximately 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat.

Choosing the Correct Calorie Count for Xoloitzcuintlis

Xoloitzcuintlis are a medium energy breed, but they still require a high quality diet based on a lean meat protein to attain optimal health and wellness. Trying to determine how much of a food to feed a dog can be a challenge, but thankfully, the best dog foods for Xoloitzcuintlis offer guidelines on their packaging. Suggested serving sizes are based on dogs age and weight and can be adjusted as needed until the proper portion is found.

A dog breed that is not predisposed to weight gain, it is still not recommended that Xoloitzcuintli be free fed. To maintain the ideal body condition, all intake for this breed should be carefully measured and monitored.

Dietary Requirements for Xoloitzcuintli Dog Foods

The Xoloitzcuintli is a true meat lover and requires a diet that is well-balanced and nutritionally sound to thrive. The best dog foods for the Xoloitzcuintli base their recipe on a whole meat or meat meal. By-products and plant proteins such as soy, corn, and wheat are not as nutritionally viable and can be common allergens for some dogs. For this reason, these ingredients are not the ideal basis for a diet for this breed.

Carbohydrates help the Xoloitzcuintli to achieve good digestion and a healthy immune system. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains with ample servings of antioxidants and dietary fiber are the best basis for a high quality diets carbohydrate content. Dogs who have previously expressed sensitivities to grains may do best on a grain-free food formulation.

No diet is complete without the inclusion of healthy fats. It is from these essential fatty acids that the Xoloitzcuintli gains the necessary support for coat and skin health and strong energy reserves. The ideal sources for these fats are animal-based and include such foods as oily fish and chicken fat. Alternatively, some plant-based oils also offer bountiful amounts of these important nutrients.

Supplements can help provide support for many of the Xoloitzcuintlis systems. The most beneficial ingredients to look for include glucosamine, chondroitin, prebiotics, and probiotics.

Things to Look for in the Best Dog Foods for Xoloitzcuintlis

Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Xoloitzcuintli:

• Lean, meat-based proteins heading up the ingredients list

The Xoloitzcuintli is not a high energy breed; however, this dog type is a carnivore, requiring a diet based on a lean meat protein to thrive. The ideal diet for this dog should include a whole meat or meat meal as its foundational ingredient.

By-products and plant proteins lack the nutritional quality to support the needs of this unusual breed, and thus, are best avoided.

• Prepared without the addition of chemicals, flavorings, fillers, or mystery ingredients

Chemicals, fillers, artificial flavorings and colorings, and mystery ingredients provide no nutritional benefit to the Xoloitzcuintli. Many of these items can cause an allergic reaction in this breed. Foods containing one or more of these ingredients should be avoided.

• Enriched with probiotics and helpful supplements

No diet is complete on its own, and thus, can benefit from the addition of helpful supplements. The most valuable ingredients to look for in a food for the Xoloitzcuintli include prebiotics, probiotics, glucosamine, and chondroitin.

• Meets AAFCO nutritional requirements for a complete and balanced food

All foods appropriate for the Xoloitzcuintli should bear the AAFCO seal of approval, indicating it meets the standards for a complete and balanced food.

How to Choose the Best Dog Food

In an ideal world, all dog food would be created equal. Instead, dog owners are presented with an overwhelming array of options, all claiming to be the best dog food on the market. Wading through these choices to find a dog food brand that is healthy, affordable, and appealing to your pet is often frustrating. Weve compiled expert advice to help you narrow down your options.

What Makes a Dog Food Good?

Most people feed their dogs dry kibble or canned wet food. These processed foods might not be appealing to us, but they contain all of the nutrients dogs need to stay healthy. Quality commercial dog foods are highly regulated and have undergone rigorous testing by veterinary specialists. So what exactly is in these dog foods?

Dogs, unlike cats, are not strict carnivores. While meat makes up the majority of their diet, domestic dogs can also derive nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. These non-meat foods are not simply fillers, but can be a valuable source of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A good dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits. The best dog foods contain high-quality versions of these ingredients that are appropriate for your dogs digestive system.

Dog Food Nutrition

The best dog food for your canine companion should meet his nutritional needs. While most commercial dog food brands are specially formulated with at least the minimum nutritional requirements for dogs, it is important to remember that not every dog has exactly the same nutritional needs.

Dogs require a wide range of nutrients in different quantities over the course of their lives. The nutritional needs of a puppy are different from an adult dog, which is why it is a good idea to feed a puppy formula or an all life stages food to your young dog. If you are unsure about the differences in nutritional requirements between puppies and adults, the Merck Veterinary Manual lists the recommended nutrients for dogs, along with the recommended amount by weight and age. Large breed dogs and puppies have different nutritional requirements than small breed dogs and puppies.

Dog Food Myths and Misinformation

There are plenty of dog food myths and misinformation about dog nutrition on the Internet. You can sort through it by following one simple rule: check your sources. Many well-meaning individuals make claims about dog nutrition without backing them up with scientific evidence. As you do research, always check to see if the information is supported by a credible source, like a veterinarian, canine nutritionist, or scientific study. It never hurts to be skeptical, either. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Many people have questions about grain-inclusive orgrain-free dog food, pea-free dog food, or dog foods containing animal byproducts. If your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy caused by grains, you may choose a grain-free diet under the guidance of your veterinarian. For most dogs, grains are actually a source of wholesome nutrients. Quality animal byproducts are also nutritious. These include organ meats and entrails, which often contain more nutrients than the muscle meat consumed by humans. Regulated byproducts do not include hooves, hair, floor sweepings, intestinal contents, or manure. As with any pet-related inquiry, feel free to discuss your concerns about your dogs food with your veterinarian.

How to Read a Dog Food Label

One way to decipher a good dog food from a bad dog food is to read the label. This is easier said than done, as labels can be hard to read, both due to the small print and just plain awkwardness of handling big bags of dog food in the store! But labels can also be misleading, as the Merck Veterinary Manual explains. Dog food labels are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to tell you eight key pieces of information, and individual states may also have their own labeling requirements:

• Product name
• Net weight of the product
• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Guaranteed analysis
• List of ingredients
• Intended animal species (i.e. dog or cat)
• Statement of nutritional adequacy
• Feeding guidelines

Product Name

The product name alone tells you a lot about whats inside the can or bag. The term beef means that beef must make up at least 70 percent of the entire product. The terms beef dinner, beef entre, or beef platter, on the other hand, only require that beef makes up at least 10 percent of the entire product. With beef only requires that 3 percent of the total product be beef, and beef flavor simply implies that there is enough beef in the product to flavor it (less than 3 percent). The same holds true for other named ingredients like chicken.

Ingredients

The ingredient list on a dog food label will not tell you the quality of the ingredients or where they came from, and some manufacturers split up the ingredients to make the distribution more equal. For instance, different types of corn, such as flaked corn, ground corn, or kibbled corn, can be listed separately. This bumps corn down on the list of ingredients, even though the actual content of corn in the food is high. Meat is another tricky ingredient. Whole meats contain a large percentage of water weight, which means that the overall percentage of meat after processing is lower than it appears. Meat meal, on the other hand, sounds less appealing to people, but actually contains more meat than whole meats, as there is no water weight to throw off the calculation.

While the ingredient list might not tell you the quality of the ingredients, it does tell you what is in the food. This is especially important for dogs with special dietary needs or allergies and is also useful for owners who wish to feed their dogs specific sources of fiber, protein, and carbohydrates.

Complete and Balanced Dog Foods

One of the first things you should look for on a dog food label is the statement (Name of product) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles. This isnt just an advertising slogan. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has strict requirements to make sure that a product is in fact complete and balanced for dogs (or cats). Complete and balanced diets must contain the minimum amount of all of the nutrients necessary for dogs, which is also indicated in the guaranteed analysis. This analysis gives the minimum amount of crude protein and fat, along with the maximum amounts of water and crude fiber. The analysis does not, however, give the exact amount of these components, which means there is room for considerable variation. The manufacturers average nutrient profile is often a better tool for evaluating a product.

You can always contact the dog food company directly to get more information about its product. A reputable company that has your dogs interests at heart should be happy to answer your questions and in many cases will give you more information than what is available on the website or product label. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association has a helpful sheet with questions you can ask a company representative.

Best Dog Food for Small and Large Breeds

Small breed dogs and large breed dogs have different nutritional needs. Large breed dogs are more prone to musculoskeletal problems than smaller breeds, and so they often require large-breed dog food with different balances of certain nutrients to promote musculoskeletal health, especially as puppies. Small breed dogs, on the other hand, can choke on large-sized kibble and have their own nutritional requirements that can be accommodated with a small-breed dog food. Research your dogs breed to find out if there are any additional nutritional requirements you should be aware of.

Best Dog Food for Puppies

The nutritional needs of dogs vary throughout their life. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and senior dogs have their own nutritional considerations. Most dog food companies carry specially formulated puppy foods for each stage of a dogs life, making it easier to narrow down your choices. If you are concerned about which is the best dog food for your dogs life stage, consult your veterinarian to see what stage food is appropriate for your dog.

Your puppy requires a different nutrient balance than an adult dog. This is especially true for large breeds. Feeding a large breed puppy food can help, as their growth needs to be monitored carefully to prevent bone and joint problems. Other puppies do well on both puppy food and food labeled for all life stages. The best food for your puppy depends on your puppys size and breed. Always consult your veterinarian for recommendations on puppy feeding, and advice on how to switch puppies to adult dog food.

Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs

Senior dogs, usually considered 7+, vary in their individual nutritional needs. Younger senior dogs may struggle with being overweight and older senior dogs may struggle with being underweight, which is why there is such a variety.

Choosing the best senior dog food may come down to what your dog finds palatable. Many older dogs prefer wet food while others may need their food warmed up to enhance the aromas. Ultimately, your vet can help choose the best dog food for an older pet.

Best Food for Dogs With Special Dietary Needs

Allergies, sensitive stomachs, and dietary restrictions affect dogs, as well as people. Feeding dogs with special dietary needs can be tricky. Your best course of action is to consult your veterinarian for advice about the dog food that best helps with their condition.

Best Dry Dog Food

The most widely available and affordable dog food is dry dog food. Dry dog food does not require refrigeration, which is its main advantage over wet dog food, as it contains approximately 90 percent dry matter and 10 percent water. This makes it easy to store. Dry dog food is made by combining and cooking ingredients like meat and grains. This process converts the starches in the food into an easily digested form, while also destroying toxins and flash sterilizing the ingredients. There are many different varieties of dry dog food on the shelves. The best dry food for your dog depends on your dogs dietary needs. In general, a higher quality dry dog food that contains the appropriate ingredients for your dogs life stage and breed is the best choice, but talk to your vet or veterinary nutritionist about the healthiest choice for your pet.

Best Wet Dog Food

Wet dog food, or canned dog food, is a perfectly viable alternative to dry dog food. While generally slightly more expensive, wet dog food is more palatable than dry food and can help stimulate the appetite of picky eaters. Wet dog food contains many of the same ingredients as dry dog food, but not in the same quantities. Wet food contains higher amounts of fresh meat, poultry, fish, and animal byproducts, along with more textured proteins derived from grains. Canned dog food has a long shelf life, however it must be refrigerated once opened. The best wet food for your dog, just as with dry dog food, depends on your dogs life stage, breed, and any special dietary needs or allergies. Talk to your vet about the wet dog food that he recommends for your pet.

How Much Should I Feed My Dog?

Dog obesity is a growing concern in the veterinary community and has been linked to many health problems in dogs. Luckily for our pets, we are usually more disciplined about controlling their diets than we are about controlling our own. Knowing how much to feed your dog and what healthy dog weight looks like can be tricky. Many owners accidentally overfeed their pets, which is why it is important to take your dog in for regular checkups and to talk with your vet about appropriate portions. The guidelines on the back of the bag are just that guidelines. Some dogs may require more than the recommended amount, whereas others require much less. Activity level, time of year, nursing, illness, and more factors can all impact how much a dog needs to eat. Dog people will often advise that you should feed the dog thats in front of you instead of strictly adhering to dog food serving size guidelines that may or may not be exactly what your dog needs.

Choosing the Best Dog Food

The best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.

Your veterinarian is a valuable resource to you during this process. They know more about pet nutrition than the average owner, and they also have access to research and resources that owners do not have. Your vet can help you narrow down your options and should be more than happy to help you find the answers to your questions about your dogs food.