What shouldn t you feed a Jack Russell

Jack Russell Terrier Feeding Guide Australia

They dont come much cuter or feistier than the Jack Russell Terrier! Bursting with energy and playfulness, kids and adults alike love these little dogs and the brightness they can bring into your home. However, Jack Russells can be a real handful. Their cheeky personalities and high intelligence can make training and caring for a Jack Russell a bit of a challenge but it is a challenge that is well worth the effort, as these little dogs can make for an incredibly affectionate and loyal companion for you and your family.

If you have just adopted a Jack Russell into your home, there are a lot of aspects of training and care youll need to understand fairly quickly to give your pup the best start in life.

What do you feed a Jack Russell Terrier? How much do you feed a Jack Russell Terrier? Hypro Premium has you covered. In this Jack Russell feeding guide, well take you through the ins and outs of puppy feeding, what foods are best for Jack Russells, how to establish a feeding schedule, and how to keep your pup fit and healthy for many years to come.

How Much Should You Feed a Jack Russell Terrier Puppy?

Jack Russell breeders wont usually allow you to adopt a puppy that is less than 8 weeks old. Thats because before that point, puppies of all breeds should be receiving all their nutrients from puppy milk. As an owner, you probably wont need to wean your dog onto solids, as they should already be weaned once you adopt them. However, if your dog is three or four weeks old and still consuming puppy milk, you should begin the weaning process by mixing a little milk into some dry puppy food. This will form a soft mixture which you can begin feeding your Jack Russell puppy up to four times per day. Over time, as your dog will become more used to solid foods, slowly decrease the amount of milk you add to this mixture until they are happily eating solids without any fuss. Puppies should be able to eat solids by the time they are around 6 weeks old.

The amount of food your Jack Russell puppy will eat will depend on the caloric value of the food. Please refer to the feeding guide on the food for accurate amounts. Over the first year of your puppys life, the amount of food you give them per day will change as they grow.

4 Months 10 Months

Your Jack Russell is likely to be a ball of energy during their first few months they are also going to do a lot of growing during this time. Jack Russells will, on average, grow from a 4 5 kg puppy to 6 8 kg dog in only 6 months. Thats a 50% increase in size in a very short period of time! In fact, by the 6 month mark, your dog will likely reach their maximum height and weight.

The amount of food you give your pup will vary depending on your dogs weight and the caloric value of the food. Consult with a veterinarian if necessary, or refer to the dog food feeding guide, as youll need to be careful to not overfeed your dog during this time. Overfeeding during puppyhood can contribute to obesity and skeletal issues in adulthood. You can tell if your dog is overweight if their abdomen is noticeably round.

10 Months 12 Months

After the 6 month mark, most Jack Russells will grow less rapidly. However, Jack Russells arent considered fully grown until after their 1st birthday. Between 10 and 12 months old, it is important to continue to avoid overfeeding and to provide your puppy with plenty of exercise. During their first year it is especially important to begin positive reinforcement training with your dog, and to get them well socialised by taking them to public places and meeting other dogs. Jack Russells are sometimes considered an aggressive or stubborn breed, but this is usually caused by a lack of training and mental stimulation.

Refer to the feeding guide on your dog food or consult with your veterinarian for the exact amount to feed your pup during this time frame.

What Should You Feed Jack Russell Terrier Puppies?

Puppies have different nutritional requirements compared to adult dogs, and so they need to be fed a specialised diet that caters to their requirements. Their stomachs are much smaller than their adult counterparts, meaning they will fill up much faster, but they usually need more calorically dense foods than adult dogs. Jack Russells can usually begin to eat adult dog food from 12 months of age.

Small breed puppy foods contain kibble pieces that are smaller in size. This makes chewing easier and lessens the risk of small puppies choking on large pieces of food. However, its not a requirement that you feed your dog small breed food.

How Much Should You Feed a Jack Russell Terrier Adult Dog?

How much to feed a Jack Russell Terrier a day may vary, but generally an adult Jack Russell weighing between 6-10 kgs will need between 430-630 calories per day. This is less than what Jack Russell puppies need, who usually require between 300-790 calories a day depending on their weight.

The amount of food your dog needs can be determined by several factors. For instance, female Jack Russells tend to be slightly smaller than their male counterparts, so may need calories. On the other hand, active dogs will need more calories, especially compared to a sedentary or older Jack Russell. Your adult dog should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and again at night.

Small breed dogs dont need as much food as larger dogs, but the high energy levels of adult Jack Russells means they need more food than most little dogs. Your Jack Russell will likely benefit from calorically dense diets filled with proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats to support their active nature and protein synthesis.

Special Considerations

As your puppy matures, youll need to make adjustments to their diet to make sure they are receiving the right balance of nutrients. For example, the energy that Jack Russell puppies get from their food is not as important to an older dog who isnt going for 2 hour runs everyday. Always consult your vet before you make major changes to your dogs diet.

Jack Russells can be predisposed to a number of conditions that you can take steps to manage or avoid through their diets. These pups are particularly susceptible to environmental allergies, which can cause canine atopic dermatitis (CAD). CAD often leads dogs to bite and lick at affected areas, causing infections. Consider feeding your dog an allergy friendly diet, with plenty of immune supportive nutrients. Being a small breed,Jack Russels are prone to dental issues. Feeding them a dry food diet or treats that can help keep their teeth clean can reduce these issues.

Best Food to Feed Jack Russell Terrier

Its important to ensure that your small breed dog is always eating a diet made up of high quality, calorically dense and nutritious ingredients. With so much to consider, you may be unsure about whether dry, wet, or a raw food diet is best for your Jack Russell. Here are some of the pros and cons about what to feed a Jack Russell Terrier.

Wet food is a rich source of dietary fat and protein, which makes it a great choice for dogs who need lots of energy and muscle support. It can also aid in hydration. However, it can be a messy option that doesnt keep well.

For pet parents with sufficient time to dedicate to meal-planning, a raw food diet is a great way for you to keep track of your dogs health. By preparing your dogs meals, youll have total control over everything they eat, and be able to include ingredients like raw meaty bones that can assist in keeping your Jack Russells teeth clean. However, this can be an expensive and time consuming option.

Dry dog food for Jack Russells can aid in reducing plaque buildup and avoiding oral diseases by the mechanical act of chewing. Jack Russell puppies can be real chewers, so dry food can be a great way to satisfy their teething instincts. Be mindful, however, that low quality kibbles can contain fillers and low-quality ingredients that wont give your little dog all the energy this playful breed needs to stay healthy and active.

How To Make Sure Your Jack Russell Terrier Stays Healthy and Fit

Keeping your Jack Russell Terrier fit and healthy is all a matter of balancing a quality diet with plenty of exercise. Youll need to make sure that your pup is being fed a diet that gives them the nutrients suitable for their stage of life. This also means youll need to avoid giving your dog any foods that can be dangerous for them, like artificial sweeteners, cooked bones, alcohol, onions, or nuts. Pay attention to your dogs behaviour around food and their weight, and change their diet as needed to make sure they are getting the most appropriate foods possible in the right amounts. You should also avoid overfeeding your little dog, no matter how cute and convincing their begging might be!

Your Jack Russell will need lots of exercise at every stage of their life. For most dogs, the extreme energy levels of the puppy years lowers over time, but not for these feisty little terriers. Your Jack Russell will need at least one hour of exercise a day to stay fit and healthy. Not only will a game of fetch at the park support your dogs physical health exercise is also vital for your dogs psychological development and socialisation.

How Often Should I Feed My Jack Russell Terrier?

As your dog grows up, their stomachs will become more developed and able to digest large meals spaced out at longer intervals. Over the first year of life, your Jack Russells feeding times will become less frequent.

In order to stay on top of your dogs changing dietary needs, its best to feed your dog using a consistent feeding schedule. A Jack Russell Terrier feeding schedule that works around you and your familys busy lives allows you to monitor your dogs nutrition intake more closely. Doing this makes it easier to avoid overfeeding, and allows you to spot signs of illness or psychological stress in your dog like loss of appetite. A feeding schedule can also include an exercise and potty routine.

How Many Treats Should I Feed My Jack Russell Terrier?

As a breed, Jack Russells are not often recommended to first time dog owners for one reason these energetic and intelligent dogs can often exhibit antisocial behaviours if not trained carefully. Jack Russells can become bored or anxious if not given enough mental stimulus, so using treat-based positive reinforcement training is essential in avoiding barking, aggression, or destructive behaviours. These clever dogs can also learn tricks and compete in agility competitions with the right training.

Dogs love treats, and so do owners not only do they make training easier, but they are a great way for us to show our dogs some affection. Your dog might love the pieces of chicken, liver, or small pieces of fruit or veggies, but it is important that they make up no more than 10% of your dogs daily calorie intake. Treats are designed to help your dog, and not contribute to overeating or obesity issues.

Hypro Premium for Adult Dogs

When it comes to making decisions about what to feed your Jack Russell Terrier, Hypro Premiums range of grain free kibbles provide you with the perfect food options to suit your little dogs needs. Jack Russells are prone to suffering from food sensitivities, so try Hypro Premiums grain free dog foods without fear of triggering tummy upsets. Packed full of delicious veggies and legumes, including faba beans, chickpeas, potato, carrot, spinach, you can be confident that you are feeding your Jack Russell high quality pet food that is sourced from natural ingredients.

For Jack Russells suffering from food and skin allergies, try Grain Free Chicken & Duck for specially formulated skin, coat, and digestion support. Poultry is an excellent source of lean protein, as well as iron, vitamin B3 and B6, antioxidants and phosphorus. These nutrients can help to balance glucose levels, as well help to regulate your dogs metabolism. Your high energy terrier may also benefit from Grain Free Kangaroo & Lamb, packed full of ingredients designed to support muscles and joint repair. Kangaroo is naturally high in iron and zinc, which aid in digestive and immune system health.