The Newfoundland is a giant, solid and imposing dog that exhibits a privileged muscular mass and an exuberant beauty. Of course, it is important to understand that all dogs, regardless of their age, breed or sex, need a complete and balanced diet to maintain good he alth and develop their physical, cognitive, social and emotional abilities.
If you are the proud guardian of a Newfoundland dog or you are thinking of adopting a beautiful furry one of this breed, you must be clear that its nutrition is a determining aspect for its physical and mental he althAnd if you wonder how to offer the best diet for your best friend, we invite you to continue reading this article on our site to find out what feeding a Newfoundland dog should be like puppy, adult and elder.
Getting to know the Newfoundland dog: character and characteristics
Knowing your dog is a basic requirement to know how to offer the nutritional requirements and the care it needs to show optimal development at every stage of your life. The Newfoundland is a dog that is impossible to go unnoticed wherever it goes… It quickly stands out for its large size, for its large body mass, and for its abundant coat.
An adult male can measure up to 71 cm at the withers and weigh around 68 kg, while females usually have a height at the withers of around 66 cm and weigh 54 kg. [1]
Despite his imposing figure and undeniable beauty, it is the personality of the Newfoundland that is truly charming: his temperament is naturally balanced, sociable, affectionate and devoted. In fact, the FCI itself (International Cynological Federation) defines the Newfoundland as a happy, gentle and creative dog that reflects kindness and sweetness. [1]
However, it is important to remember that the behavior of each dog fundamentally depends on the education, the environment and the care given to it. offer their tutors. A Newfoundland must be properly socialized from puppyhood to learn to relate to people, other animals, their toys and the elements of their home. In addition, training will be essential both to keep him physically and mentally stimulated, and to teach him to respect the rules of his home.
Although they are strong and resistant dogs, Newfoundlands have genetic predisposition to develop certain pathologies. Like any giant dog that exhibits rapid growth, the Newfoundland is susceptible to degenerative diseases, such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Their tendency to be gluttonous and the impetus to eat food very quickly can result in obesity or digestive disorders, such as gas, as well as leaving them vulnerable to gastric torsion. Also among the most common diseases in this breed, we find pulmonary stenosis, cataracts, aortic stenosis and von Willebrand disease.
Newfoundland Weight Chart
Below we will show you a graph that represents the growth and development of a Newfoundland dog, in males (blue) and in females (red). Paying attention to the weight table is essential to understand how the Newfoundland dog should be fed correctly:
Newfoundland puppy feeding
It is always important to remember the importance of respecting the weaning age when adopting a puppy. When a dog is separated from his mother early, he often has a immune system that is more fragile throughout his life, and may show learning and socialization difficulties. During his first 2 or 3 months of life, the ideal food for a Newfoundland puppy is mother's milk If for some reason you had to adopt a puppy that was prematurely weaned, It will be essential to offer him formula milk to meet his nutritional needs, for sale in veterinary centers.
The arrival of the second month of life heralds that little ones can begin to try new foods and be introduced to a diet that they will maintain for his childhood. At this time, you will need to choose whether you want to offer your Newfoundland puppy a natural diet or base her diet on an industrialized feed. Ideally, you should ask your trusted veterinarian for guidance, to clarify the pros and cons of each option. Also, remember that any nutritional change should be made slowly and gradually, whether in an adult dog or a puppy.
If you are inclined to provide a natural and homemade diet to your Newfoundland, you should consult a veterinarian about the food to offer, the amounts and the use of natural supplements for puppies to prevent nutritional deficiencies The professional will be able to calculate the appropriate doses of food and daily intake according to the development and specific needs of each puppy.
But if the second option seems more appropriate, you should choose a high-end feed, specially formulated for the nutrition of puppies (These products are often labeled " Puppy " and " Junior ").
The composition of the chosen feed must be highly energetic and contain the appropriate proportions of the 5 essential nutrients for the development of all puppies: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. As the Newfoundland is a giant and solid dog, with a tendency to degenerative musculoskeletal diseases, it is vital that their infant nutrition also includes an extra dose of calcium In any case, it must be supervised and recommended by the veterinarian.
Although the feed and supplements should provide all the essential nutrients to your Newfoundland, we recommend including homemade recipes for puppies from time to time to add flavour, texture and moisture to their diet, and prevent your little one from becoming bored of always eating the same thing. However, remember that you must not mix dry feed with fresh or cooked food, as they have different digestion times.
How much does a Newfoundland puppy eat? And how many times a day?
In addition to ensuring the quality of your puppy's feed, you should pay attention to the daily amount of food you offer him. Your Newfoundland needs to eat enough to enjoy optimal physical and mental development, but too much food can promote obesity and harm its he alth.
Most feeds indicate on their own packaging the appropriate dose of food according to age, size and weight of each puppy. However, it is best to consult your veterinarian to confirm the amount of food and how many daily feedings your Newfoundland puppy should receive at each stage of growth.
Remember that you must divide the total grams indicated on the package into several daily servings. Here's how many times a day a Newfoundland puppy should eat:
- 2 - 3 months: 4 daily servings
- 4 - 5 months: 3 daily servings
- 6 - 8 months: 2 or 3 daily servings
- 8 - 12 months: 2 or 3 daily servings
Feeding the adult Newfoundland dog
When your Newfoundland reaches its first year of life, it can already be considered an adult dog. Then, it will be time to change your Junior balanced food for a high-end food oriented for the nutrition of adult dogs of giant size (they are usually commercially labeled as " Adult"). Again, we recommend having the opinion of a specialist before choosing a new feed and making any changes in your furry's diet.
As it is a dog with abundant muscle mass, the Newfoundland must consume high quality and easily assimilated proteins and carbohydrates, which will be the energy base of its metabolism. The minimum protein percentage of your feed must not be less than 25%, while carbohydrates must be moderately present so as not to favor overweight or intoxicate your body. Good fats, such as omega 3 and 6, will be essential to strengthen your cardiovascular system and stimulate your cognitive capacity. On the other hand, fibers, vitamins and minerals should complement your diet, to provide better digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as strengthen your immune system.
During the adult phase, it is highly recommended that your Newfoundland consume supplements and vitamins to strengthen their joints and prevent symptoms of dysplasia hip and elbow. Therefore, remember to consult your veterinarian about the best food supplements for Newfoundland dogs.
How much does an adult Newfoundland dog eat?
Already in its adult stage, the Newfoundland dog can receive between one and three daily servings of food, it being advisable to divide the total into two daily servings, in this way, the dog will feel full for longer.
As in the case of puppies, the amount of food if we refer to a feed or commercial food, will depend directly of the chosen brand, which will show on the container therecommended daily amount according to your age and weight. In some cases it is also detailed according to physical activity or stage.
On the other hand, if we decide to feed our dog with homemade diets, we must take into account his weight to calculate proportionate the kilocalories needed. [2] Thus, an adult male and female Newfoundland dog should receive the following kilocalories per day:
- Adult Newfoundland male, 68 kg: 2,165 kilocalories per day (approx.)
- Adult female Newfoundland weighing 54 kg: 1,719 kilocalories per day (approx.)
Feeding an Elderly Newfoundland
When your Newfoundland is 7 years old, he will have reached the "senior canine age". Then, you will have to change your "Adult" feed for a "Senior" one with Premium quality. It is also recommended that you know and consult your veterinarian about vitamins for elderly dogs, which help keep their immune system stable.
Elderly Newfoundland dogs require special attention to their nutrition to avoid obesity, in addition to considering the natural loss of muscle mass and the wear and tear on their bones and joints Therefore, their feed must contain a lower caloric index than adults and be easily digestible.
Can I offer a BARF diet to my Newfoundland dog?
The BARF or ACBA (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet proposes the balanced consumption of raw bones with meat and muscle (60%), lean and raw meat (25%) and moderate portions of vegetables, fruits, eggs and organ meats (15%). It is very important to remember that the bones should never be cooked, to avoid the risk of splintering and injuring the dog's digestive tract.
This type of diet offers numerous he alth benefits our best friends. On the one hand, they allow you to improve your digestion and optimize the absorption of nutrients, positively impacting your immune system. In addition, it facilitates your oral hygiene, preventing the accumulation of waste and the formation of tartar. We must also mention that fresh and natural food provides freshness, flavor and texture to the dog's diet, as well as eliminates the consumption of preservatives and additives present in feed.
Wondering if a BARF diet is recommended for your Newfoundland? Well, you should know that every dog, whether mixed-breed or of a defined breed, can enjoy the benefits of the BARF diet. But their guardians must have the guidance of a veterinarian to adjust the daily amount of food according to the age, weight and size of their furry, and avoid any nutritional deficiency. If you decide to start your Newfoundland on a homemade and natural diet, be sure to check out our BARF diet recipes for dogs and don't forget to choose high-quality products to avoid the risk of transmitting pathogens.
It is worth emphasizing that the transition from a traditional diet (based on dry feed) to a raw and natural diet must be carried out slowly and gradually so as not to damage the dog's digestive tract.
Tips for good nutrition of the Newfoundland dog
To finish, we offer you a guide with general tips for feeding the Newfoundland dog:
- If you decide to feed your Newfoundland a dry feed based on dry food, remember to choose a high-end product with a good concentration of protein animal. Low-quality feed usually contains a high percentage of vegetable protein, such as rice, soy and corn flour. Although these foods are not prohibited for dogs, their excessive consumption can poison your body, hinder digestion and promote gas formation.
- If you opt for a BARF diet, you should prefer fresh foods of organic origin It is also important to be very careful when storing food, to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and other pathogens. If you prepare meals for 2 or 3 days, remember to store them in airtight containers and keep them in the fridge.
- Every dog must respect his right to eat in a quiet environment, where he feels safe to enjoy his food. Stress negatively impacts the digestive process and the immune system of our furry friends.
- Your dog should learn as a puppy to respect its meal times This is a crucial part of its education, as it prevents unwanted behaviors, such as jumping on the table, barking or crying while their guardians eat, trying to steal food or rummage through the garbage. For this reason, we recommend not offering food to your dog while you and your family are eating and not reinforcing habits such as climbing on the table as a "funny behavior". Remember that if you train a puppy well, you won't have to correct the behavior of an adult dog.
- Your physical activity and mental stimulationare just as important as his optimal nutrition. A sedentary dog is more susceptible to behavior problems and symptoms of stress and boredom. In addition, daily exercises will help your Newfoundland maintain a he althy weight, preventing obesity and its he alth complications. However, remember that the exercises for a Newfoundland must be moderate so as not to accelerate the wear of their joints and favor the symptoms of hip and elbow dysplasia.
- If your Newfoundland dog shows loss of appetite or weight, digestive disorders, such as diarrhoea, vomiting or constipation, don't hesitate to go to the vet.
