Rottweiler Diet & Allergies
Rottweilers are an old breed with origins in Ancient Rome, according to the North East Rottweiler Rescue. In the early 1900s, rottweilers gained popularity as police dogs but were not popular in households until 1992. During that year, they became the second most popular dog in the American Kennel Club, according to the American Rottweiler Club. Rottweilers require a healthy diet and an aware owner as allergies can be common in the breed.
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Kibble
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All rottweilers require a good balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins, states the Official Rottweiler Guide. Including a good quality kibble in a rottweiler's diet will help the dog meet daily nutritional needs. Most commercial kibble is of poor quality, so be sure to read the ingredients before purchasing. The North East Rottweiler Rescue suggests a named meat, such as lamb or chicken, be the first listed ingredient on any bag of kibble. Those that include meat by-products should be avoided, as they are usually contaminated leftovers that are unfit for human consumption. A carbohydrate source should be the next ingredient, but avoid corn as it is difficult for rottweilers to digest.
Vegetables
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Rottweilers should consume vegetables on a daily basis, but be aware that some dogs may have issues with certain vegetables. Introduce new vegetables one at a time and remove any that cause the rottweiler to have diarrhea. Rottweilers should consume a variety of vegetables in order to take in enough nutrients, states the North East Rottweiler Rescue.
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Garlic
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Owners should feed a rottweiler roughly a clove of garlic every day. According to the North East Rottweiler Rescue, garlic helps digestion, stimulates the immune system, protects against parasites and is an anti-fungal. Garlic also helps in treatment of arthritis, which is a common ailment in older dogs.
Meat and Fish
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Rottweilers are carnivores and require meat and fish in a raw form more regularly than cooked. Frozen meats and fish should also be avoided. Rottweilers can also consume animal bones, but it is the flesh that is most important.
Allergies
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Some rottweilers can be prone to flea and food allergies, according to the American Rottweiler Club. They can be allergic to any foods so it is important to be aware of possible symptoms when introducing a new food into their diet. A mild allergy may result in scratching, chewing and licking. More severe allergies can cause the dog to sneeze, cough, vomit, lose their appetite and have diarrhea. Remove any foods causing these symptoms from a dog's diet immediately. Symptoms of a flea allergy are easy to notice and include hair loss, scabs and sores. A rottweiler with a flea allergy should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Rottweiler image by Vito Kac from Fotolia.com
