Somethings to think about for your miniature schnauzer

Monitoring Urinalysis 

As a former Veterinary technician.  I recommend  when your miniature schnauzer turns 5 to 6 years old. take a urine sample in once a year.  when you go in for your yearly veterinary exams and shots.  Just have your veterinary run urinalysis, just to make sure there is no struvite in the urine.  Struvite's lead to the  causes kidney stones. Just to be safe than sorry.  I've seen many breeds, pure and mix, large and small have kidney stone.

HEALTHY AND SAFE PEOPLE FOODS: With over 50% of dogs in the US overweight which increases their risk of CANCER, diabetes, joint issues and pancreatic issues and more, let's cover PEOPLE FOOD. Schnauzers are at a very high risk.

LIST OF SAFE HUMAN FOODS ACCORDING TO PETMD -- (TREATS) TO FEED OCCASIONALLY TO YOUR DOG.

• carrots a few slices cut up cooked or raw (daily/occasionally) 

• salt free green beans raw, cooked or frozen, a few to 1/8 cup chopped up (daily/occasionally)

• fresh spinach cooked, romaine lettuce, zucchini, squash  (cooked and chopped up, occasionally)

• bananas raw or frozen (1/8 chopped) (occasionally)

• watermelon, strawberry, blueberries, peeled apple (no seeds or core), or cantaloupe (occasionally)

• boiled egg (entire egg once a week and divided over two days diced)

• 1 TB of 2% cottage cheese (daily)

• 1 TB spoon of plain yogurt use 2% -- not low fat or fat free (daily) <~~~~~ Natural Probiotic

• 1/2 to 1 TB daily of 100% BPA FREE canned pumpkin (daily)

• 2 TB to 1/8 cup white or brown rice (a few times a week) 

• boneless skinless chicken breast, ground turkey, duck, venison, salmon (few times a week BAKED/BOIL)

• sweet potato cooked (cubed or mashed)  1/8 cup (occasionally)

• DO NOT FEED YOUR DOGS THESE FOODS: anything with artificial sweeteners (read labels it is being added to a lot of foods now), dark chocolate, coffee, caffeine, grapes, raisins, avocados, garlic, onion, macadamia nuts. Some of these foods destroy the kidney, liver or other organs slowly so you get fooled thinking they are not being harmed or were not harmed until it is too late--acute liver or kidney failure. http://www.vetstreet.com/care/human-foods-that-are-dangerous-for-dogs-and-cats
 

When your dog gets anything extra then reduce the kibble/wet portion that you feed or go on a 20 to 30 minute walk. A fit and trim dog avoids knee issues later, spinal issues, diabetes, pancreatic issues, and other health risks related to excessive weight such as cancer. Schnauzers have high cholesterol NATURALLY so they do not need any help having even more fat in their bloodstream. 
 

SPECIAL NOTE FOR RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS: While researching reputable dog food brands I came across helpful information for responsible breeders who raise healthy puppies. The first issue is the recent study released covering the decline in dog fertility over the last 26 years. The study links chemicals in food and certain ingredients as being responsible. With this said, be aware of plant estrogen's in the ingredients and other herbs that have an unhealthy impact on dog reproduction. As with anything certainly some dogs are not affected. However, with a 30% drop in fertility over the last 26 years, many dogs are. 

LIST OF SUSPECT INGREDIENTS: are plant estrogen's such as SOY and FLAX SEED being the worst and then other reproduction disruptive ingredients such as alfalfa, sunflower, split peas, chic peas, legumes, linseed, marigold, chicory root, inulin, dahlia, soy, FOS, basil, parsley, pea/pea meal. These ingredients wreak havoc on estrogen levels in both male and female canines. They also cause issues with estrus, lower litter counts, lower birth weights, uterine bleeding, poor placenta attachment and placement, early uterine contractions causing miscarriage, fetal re-absorption, sperm health issues such as failure to fertilize the egg and more.  Also make sure that the ratio of calcium to phosphorous are correct too 1.2:1. 

These ingredients have taken over dog food. It is nearly impossible to find foods without flax seed, soy and/or peas etc. This greatly limits choices. Below are foods without the estrogen inhibiting ingredients. Look into mixing wet dog food with dry to help increase the protein source from meat. 

Rachel Ray Just 6 Lamb (3 stars)
Purina Beyond Simply 9 White Whole Chicken and Lamb (3.5 stars)
Purina Pro (Focus) Giant Formula, Small Breed (Focus), Small Bites Lamb (Focus) and Toy (Focus) (2.5 stars)
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula Dry Dog Food (3 stars)
​Joy Super Meal with Pumpkin (3 stars)
Joy Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food (3 stars)
Joy High Performance (2 stars)

The truth about corn <~~~~ Not a bad ingredient when rotating with a food that does not have any corn. 

READING LABELS: Before I suggest any brand of food, I want to cover reading labels. The first ingredient should be a protein and the next four/five ingredients also make up the bulk of the food. The average house dog does great with a daily protein percent of 15% to 30% (MINI SCHNAUZERS however 15% to 25% protein daily). You also need to look at the percent of fat, which for an adult Schnauzer is best under 16% (10% to 15% is ideal). If your Schnauzer has a tendency to gain weight easily then you should be looking at 8% to 12% of fat daily on the label. If your Schnauzer has issues with crystals in their urine they need to be on a special diet that is lower in protein (20% or under). Lastly, the calcium and phosphorus ratio are very important to avoid health issues. A ratio of 1.2:1 is ideal (Calcium 1.2 and Phosphorus 1) or as close to this as possible. This means slightly more calcium than phosphorus.