Fresh Food for Schipperkes
Small but scrappy rat hunters, the Schipperke dog—also known as the “little captain”—earned their keep working on Belgium’s barges in the 1600s. With enough exercise, these energetic dogs do well in apartments as well as homes with fenced-in yards. Confident and independent, they tend to roam if not on leash, so it’s best to train them to come when their name is called while they are young pups. Bursting with energy, they need to run and play every day. The little captain’s gorgeous, thick coat should be brushed once a week and even more during the spring and fall shedding seasons.
A diet of fresh food for your Schipperke is the best way to support their health and happiness — along with ample daily exercise, regular vet care, and a loving human “crew” to oversee.
What’s the best dog food for Schipperkes?
A diet of fresh dog food for your Schipperke contributes to a healthy, active life, and could help stave off some of the ailments common to this breed.
Why fresh is best for your Schipperkes
Highly processed kibble can contribute to many issues that can compromise your Schipperkes’s health. Recipes from The Farmer’s Dog are made with fresh, human-grade ingredients, steamed to retain nutrients, and pre-portioned to help maintain weight.
Feed Fresh TodayProtect joints
Schipperkes are prone to joint issues. Maintaining a lean body condition can help. And fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog contains Omega-3 fatty acids, proven to reduce inflammation and improve arthritis. Even if kibble contains these healthy fats, they can go rancid sitting on the shelf for long periods. Rancid fats don’t deliver the intended health benefits, and in fact can contribute to inflammation. Fresh food delivers these powerful nutrients intact to your Schipperke.
Dial up dental health (and fresh breath!)
For dogs like Schipperkes, who may be prone to dental disease, don’t look to a dried pellet to clean teeth. Kibble is an ultra-processed food—it sticks to teeth, contributing to plaque, and it can contain substances that actually fuel inflammation in the tissues of the body, including the mouth. Eating for dental health means eating for overall health. A fresh, whole-food diet promotes a healthier immune system, which helps ward off dental infections—and it doesn’t stick to teeth.
Know what’s in the bowl
For Schipperkes with dry and itchy skin, sensitive stomachs, or other signs of food allergies and sensitivities, it’s important to know exactly what you’re feeding—something that can be impossible with kibble, which often contains ingredients not listed on the bag. Allergies and intolerances to food are all too common and many dog owners notice symptoms clear up when they switch to fresh food.
Maintain a healthy weight
It’s critically important to avoid overfeeding any dog, big or small. Being even a little overweight can increase your Schipperke's odds of developing a host of diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and even cancer. A fresh-food plan, tailored to your dog’s needs, and delivered in pre-portioned packs, makes weight maintenance easy.
Read more about dog food and Schipperkes
- Decoding Your Dog's Poop
- Can My Dog Eat Nuts?
- What Your Dog’s Tail is Trying To Tell You
- Top 14 Fresh Snacks for Dogs