Nutrition and Dietary Management of the Lagotto Romagnolo
A proper and balanced diet is essential to ensure healthy growth and a good quality of life for the Lagotto Romagnolo. Each stage of its development, from puppyhood to adulthood, requires specific attention. Here are some key steps to best manage your Lagotto’s nutrition:
1. Fecal Examination:
Before setting up any dietary plan, it is essential to have a fecal test performed on your dog. This test helps identify any parasites, such as worms, coccidia, or giardia, which could affect your Lagotto’s intestinal health.
2. Deworming:
If the fecal test result is positive, a deworming treatment will be necessary. This step is crucial to prevent damage to the digestive system and to improve nutrient absorption.
3. Negative Fecal Test Result:
Once a negative fecal test result is obtained, you can proceed with a more targeted evaluation of the diet to ensure the dog receives everything needed for healthy growth.
4. Dietary Plan Adjustments:
If your Lagotto requires a customized diet—especially during growth (for example, a male between 10 and 18 months)—you will need to adapt its nutrition according to its needs. A practical example: if a growing dog is not receiving enough nutrients, you can supplement its diet with a product such as Int. Renteral Pet for 7 days, gradually increasing the amount of food.
5. Weight Management and Meat Integration:
If a dog, such as a growing male, struggles to gain weight or develop subcutaneous fat, a targeted dietary plan is necessary. If the maintenance diet is insufficient, gradually increase the food quantity, possibly adding fresh meat.
It is also important to monitor how the Lagotto responds to the diet, especially the condition of its stools. If stools are normal and well-formed, you can gradually increase both food and meat intake. This process will help improve muscle mass and reach the desired weight.
6. Monitoring and Check-ups:
During dietary supplementation, it is essential to carry out regular weight checks and visually assess the dog’s physical condition. Once the goal is reached, transition to a maintenance phase to preserve the achieved results.
7. Restoration of Intestinal Flora:
It is also important to monitor and restore the intestinal bacterial flora, which may be compromised by an unbalanced diet or medical treatments. Personally, I reduce the amount of kibble, replacing part of it with fresh meat at each meal, and add supplements to support healthy digestion.
8. Practical Example (Dog Named Gastone):
Let’s take as an example a dog named Gastone, with a sturdy build and a height of 47 cm at the withers. In this case, I reduce the amount of kibble by about 40 grams and add 80 grams of meat (boiled in water) at both lunch and dinner. This adjustment helps increase nutrient intake without overfeeding, maintaining a balance between meat and kibble.
With careful nutritional management, your Lagotto Romagnolo will grow healthy, strong, and ready to perform at its best throughout every stage of life. Remember, proper nutrition is the foundation for a long and healthy life alongside your four-legged companion.
