Feeding your Bernese Mountain Dog depends on a lot of factors, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog’s age, activity level, type of food, and health. Here we will focus on the appropriate feeding of a Bernese Mountain Dog, which takes into consideration all of the factors.
In frequency, Bernese Mountain Dog’s should eat is greater when they are a puppy, and decreases as they grow.
So eager to find out more about the Bernese Mountain Dog age-appropriate feeding, please check my detailed research and experience below:
Feeding a Bernese Mountain Dog Newborn Puppy
- up to 8 weeks: breast milk
- 3-4 weeks: introduce small portions of food
- 6 weeks: food 4 times a day plus breast milk
Until 8 weeks of age, Bernese Mountain Dog puppies should feed on their mother’s milk. So you should not adopt a Bernese Mountain Dog puppy before he is weaned. Separating the Bernese Mountain Dog prematurely from mother and siblings can harm socialization and lead to future behavioral problems.
From the 3 or 4 weeks, you can start introducing a small amount of solid food so that Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy can become habituated this is as well as not instead breast them. If the Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy is to be given dry feed it’s best to soften it with a little water.
After six weeks of life, you can give your Bernese Mountain Dog solid food, about 4 times a day, allowing them to continue feeding on their mother’s milk. Most often winning continues when the mother refuses to feed her little ones.
Feeding a Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy
- 2-3 months: between 4-6 times a day
- 3-6 months: between 3-4 times a day
- 6-12 months between: 2-3 times a day
As their development slows, we can cut daily rations to three times a day. Bernese Mountain Dogs are already accustomed to solid food by three to six months of age. After 6 months and up to their first year, two servings each day is excellent. The Bernese Mountain Dog feeding regimen must be followed systematically.
Their digestive system needs to become accustomed gradually for this reason we need to offer more daily rations and reduce them with the passage of time.
Feeding an Adult Bernese Mountain Dog
Generally, Bernese Mountain Dogs are considered adults between 1 and 2 years of age. Once your Bernese Mountain Dog reaches adulthood the portion should be reduced to 1 or 2 times a day. The final decision depends on your Bernese Mountain Dog individual needs. Some will prefer to eat in one go, others split it into two sittings.
If you would like to change a Bernese Mountain Dog food you should do this gradually. You should offer a mixture of both old and new gradually withdrawing the old food until only the new one is left.
Feeding an Senior Bernese Mountain Dog
Once your Bernese Mountain Dog reaches old age you should set a frequency of feeding, according to their state of health and particular needs. It’s more likely for old Bernese Mountain Dogs to suffer health problems, many will require medication. Veterinarian visits are important at this time.
Veterinarians can best establish your Bernese Mountain Dog feeding schedule according to his clinical picture. Some of the senior Bernese Mountain Dogs may prefer to eat smaller quantities but more frequently, to reduce the state of health.
Not all of the Bernese Mountain Dogs need to have a schedule, some can ration the food themselves. So you can leave their bowl with food for most of the day. A meal schedule should be implemented for a Bernese Mountain Dog that is practicing overeating. So if you don’t control the portions, your Bernese Mountain Dog may face obesity.
Also, you should set your Bernese Mountain Dog a feeding schedule when you offer him a homemade diet, since food can spoil if left out and not kept in the refrigerator. Just identify your Senior Bernese Mountain Dog needs and everything should be easy when it comes to a feeding time.
When your Bernese Mountain Dog is older, if you do decide that you want to feed him raw/home-cooked foods only, check with your vet for recommendations on the best diet for your dog. As he reaches maturity, your Bernese Mountain Dog diet and caloric intake may need to be adjusted depending upon his energy level and any health concerns.
He may develop allergies, digestive issues, or musculoskeletal disorders. He may need more vitamins, protein, and more or fewer fats or fiber. Your dietary preference might be gluten-free, but your veterinarian may suggest otherwise for your dog.
Your Bernese Mountain Dog may suddenly decide, for whatever reason. That he’s just not all that interested in the food that he’s been eating for the past few years. No matter which food you choose for your Bernese Mountain Dog. Be sure the ingredients will provide him with a nutritionally complete and balanced diet.
For pet parents of an older Bernese Mountain Dog, like myself, at some point. You should consider whether you’re feeding your Bernese Mountain Dog the same foods and amounts that you always did. Is he getting fat? Obesity is a common cause of many conditions that can be prevented. So discuss possible changes in your Bernese Mountain Dog nutrition and dietary requirements with your veterinarian.
If your Bernese Mountain Dog is leading a more sedate lifestyle, adjustments in his food intake might be necessary. Between meal snacks of store-bought treats can be substituted with vegetables that your Bernese Mountain Dog finds appetizing, such as cooked carrots.
Inexpensive dehydrators can produce a limitless number of nutritious snacks that taste like crunchy, jerky-style treats by using chicken, turkey, or fish. Dried apple, sweet potato slices, and dehydrated banana slices might appeal to the Bernese with the fussiest palate.
Health-minded, cost-conscious pet parents can score a big win with their dog. As well as their wallet, by implementing a few innovative, homemade snacks.
I hope that you have enjoyed my detailed research. Long talks with friends that own Bernese Mountain Dogs for years, and talks with local veterinarians.