Vizslas are energetic loyal and gentle dogs that come from Hungary. They are great family dogs so if you intend to add them to your life you should know how much to feed a Vizsla puppy.
It is very important because a lot of dog parents do not have the knowledge to feed their dogs properly.
The goal is to ensure that you feed your Vizsla with the right amount of good quality food so that they can live a long healthy life.
This article contains a Vizsla puppy feeding chart and will give you all the information you need to feed your Vizsla dog.
How Much Should A Vizsla Puppy Eat?
To feed your Vizsla puppy, you must take into consideration his age. This is because food should be adjusted to suit your dog’s age all throughout the lifespan.
Puppies require more nutrients because they are growing and gaining muscles as well as developing bones.
On the other hand, senior dogs can have a longer life span by restricting their diet.
Best Dog Food For Vizsla Puppies (2022)
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Dog Food (Editor’s Choice)
- Purina Pro Plan Puppy Dog Food (Runner-Up)
Vizsla Puppy Feeding Chart
There are a few methods used to calculate the amount of food that a dog should be given. a lot of dog owners use the RER method to calculate their dogs’ daily intake.
The RER method stands for your dog’s Resting Energy Requirements. You can calculate the RER by finding your Vizsla’s total weight. Next, you need to raise that figure to the power of ¾ multiplied by 70.
This method can only provide you with an estimate as opposed to an exact calculation, so it is better to continue monitoring your dog to make sure he is given the correct amount of food.
2-Week-Old Vizsla Puppy
When your Vizsla puppy is 2 weeks old you can expect him to be close to his mother as he would need to receive the benefits of her milk, warmth, and hygiene along with his littermates.
It is a good idea to limit your interaction with the puppy because many mothers reject puppies that have been in too much contact with humans.
4-Week-Old Vizsla Puppy
This is the stage where weaning takes place. After 4 weeks a Vizsla puppy is now ready to be started on solid food. This switch should be done with the utmost care.
You can make this easy by preparing the food in such a way that it would be palatable to a young puppy. One cup of food is appropriate for a Vizsla of this age, and he should be fed four times per day.
6-Week-Old Vizsla Puppy
Increase your Vizsla puppy’s rations to 1 & ½ cups of food and continue to feed him four times per day.
By feeding him 4 times per day with constant monitoring you would be able to prevent bloating as well as make sure that this is indeed enough for him so that you would be able to adjust accordingly.
8-Week-Old Vizsla Puppy
You should expect your Vizsla dog to display even more independence away from his mother because he will now be accustomed to solid foods without relying on his mother’s milk altogether.
You can increase his rations to 2 cups of food daily and leave the frequency of feeding the same.
10-Week-Old Vizsla Puppy
You can now feel free to increase your Vizsla puppy’s rations because he would need more food to keep up with his growth and development.
You should feed him 2 ½ cups of food per day. However, you should reduce the number of times he is fed to 3 times per day. Keep a watchful eye out to make sure he is taking this new adjustment well.
12-Week-Old Vizsla Puppy
At 12 weeks, your Vizsla has achieved a major milestone. You can now increase his rations to 3 cups of food as he would need these extra nutrients to continue his development.
Continue to feed him three times per day and make sure there are no long periods where he is left hungry. A typical Vizsla at this age should weigh approximately 22 lb.
14 Week Old Vizsla Puppy
Your Vizsla puppy will be experiencing rapid growth at this time. The increase in activity should warrant an increase in food.
You can give your Vizsla a ration of 3 ¼ cups of food every day. You can continue to feed him three times per day but look for signs that this amount is correct. At this time you can expect your Vizsla to weigh around 25 lb.
16 Week Old Vizsla Puppy
Your Vizsla is now 16 weeks old, and it is important that you allow him to be properly socialized.
He should have a good understanding of his environment by going on walks and learning how to interact with other humans through training.
You can continue to feed him 3 times per day but increase the rations to 3 1/2 cups.
6 Months – 12 Months Old Vizsla Puppy
Vizslas are a medium-sized breed, and you can expect them to be fully grown when they are between 6 and 8 months. So after this time, you can expect the rate of growth to slowly stop.
They are also quite lean and not prone to obesity. It is mainly because of their energetic nature.
You should look for signs of sexual maturity as your Vizsla will be looking for a mate. Typically, a Vizsla that is 9 months old should weigh around 47 lbs. You can continue to give him 3 1/2 cups of food every day to make sure he is coping well.
12 Months & Above Vizsla
It’s important to note that even though a Vizsla will have been fully grown at around six months, he is not considered an adult until 1 to 2 years.
So you should continue to increase rations to 4 cups of food until then. Vizslas usually have a healthy appetite.
Because of their energetic nature, they may need to eat a bit more frequently than other dogs, so you can keep the frequency to 3 times per day.
Many Vizsla owners also free-feed these dogs because they are not prone to obesity. But keep in mind that when your dog is growing older you should reduce the food intake so that you can prolong their life.
Research has shown that restricting senior dogs will make them live longer and also reduce the risk of disease.
Understanding Vizsla Puppy Nutritional Needs
For a Vizsla who is quite lean and active most of the time, nutrition is very important. If you want him to have a happy healthy and long life, you must pay careful attention to what he is fed.
Do your best to find the most nutritious food available. To do this you need to have an understanding of his nutritional needs at every period throughout his life span.
You need to give your Vizsla puppy 25 to 27% protein and 12 to 15% fat in his diet. This can come from commercial dog food or food that you prepare at home.
When your Vizsla becomes an adult, you can now give him 21 to 25% protein and 8 to 10% fat.
The idea here is to make sure that he has more protein and fat during his years of development but reduce it after he is fully grown.
How Many Times A Day To Feed A Vizsla Puppy?
There is no clear answer to this question because feeding frequency should be conducted based on your dog’s age.
For example, newborns pretty much feed from their mothers all throughout the day. When they are weaned, they should be fed four times per day.
As they mature you should decrease the frequency while increasing the amount of food they are given.
We have given a detailed outline of this in the feeding schedule provided in this article.
However, all dogs are a bit different so make sure that your Vizsla in particular is coping with the feeding schedule so that you can adjust it accordingly.
Kibble vs Wet Food For Vizsla Puppies
There are advantages and disadvantages to both kibble and wet food. Kibble is widely used by dog owners because of its convenience and shelf life.
There are quite a few brands out there that have the right amount of nutrients for your Vizsla. Some of them have the necessary protein, fat, and fiber. Choose a brand that is trustworthy and can supply good nutrition to your dog.
On the other hand, wet food can be commercially bought but also prepared at home.
Sometimes wet food is easier on your dog’s stomach and if you prepare it at home you can make sure he gets all the nutrition he needs for good health.
Some people have a problem with the fact that wet food may not be good for your dog’s teeth.
Switching From Puppy Food To Adult Food
Switching from puppy food to adult food is inevitable at some point therefore it is definitely something that you should consider now.
A Vizsla dog is considered fully grown after the age of 6 to 8 months. This is the time when you should consider switching to adult food.
It would be safe to make this switch at 8 months since we know that dogs mature at varying rates. What is most important is that your Vizsla receives the nutrients he needs while developing.
To make the switch, you need to mix some puppy food with adult food until your dog becomes accustomed. Switching abruptly may negatively affect your dog. Always check with your veterinarian if you are unsure at all.
What If My Vizsla Puppy Won’t Eat?
It is always a bit scary when you realize that your dog is not eating.
Carefully monitor the situation for a day or two and observe your dog’s surroundings to look for the root of your dog’s problem.
If the problem persists you should definitely visit your veterinarian to find out what is happening.
In some cases, your dog may be simply overfed and has chosen to take a break from eating for a little while. This is actually helpful since instinct would tell your dog to fast for a while.
For a Vizsla dog, you should watch this situation closely because they are lean so spending considerable time without food may not be a good idea for them.
Can You Freefeed A Vizsla Puppy?
Usually, we do not recommend free feeding for dogs, but in the case of a Vizsla, this may not be a bad idea.
However, this does not mean that you should not constantly check to make sure that feeding is working out in your dog’s favor. Because Vizslas are not prone to obesity, free feeding may actually work out for them.
You should also consider free feeding because they need food frequently due to their lean build and energetic behavior.
There are other methods that can work for this dog breed but do not take free feeding off of the table.
For one thing, it may be easier for you to leave their food out and not have to worry about feeding them throughout the day. It is important to understand that it may not work for older dogs that should be restricting their calories.
How Long To Feed A Vizsla Puppy?
As we have explained, there are options available when it comes to the feeding schedule of a Vizsla.
Free feeding is a viable option, but you can also choose to feed your dog under a strict schedule. Each option has advantages and disadvantages.
Free feeding will save you time because you can simply lay out the dog food and have your dog eat it anytime he is hungry.
However, you must consider that this method does not work well if your dog is on a raw diet.
Making your dog stick to a strict schedule will also have the benefit of allowing him to have a bowel movement schedule.
If your dog eats at various times per day he will also relieve himself at various times as well. You should decide which option suits you best.
Best Puppy Dog Food For Vizsla
1. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Puppy Dry Dog Food
Editor’s Choice
We chose Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Puppy Food because it stands out from many others. It is specially created with probiotics, and it lists salmon as the first ingredient.
It also uses rice instead of other harmful fillers. Your dog will have a healthy coat and skin because of the omega-6 fatty acids that come from the sunflower oil.
Your dog will also get the benefits of strong teeth and bones because of the phosphorus, calcium, and other beneficial nutrients.
Pros
- Calcium for strong teeth and bones
- Probiotics for the digestive system
- Great for medium breeds
- High-quality protein for muscles
- Healthy fats needed for a beautiful coat
- DHA for developing brain
2. Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Adult Dry Dog Food
Runner-Up
Second, on our list, is Royal Canin Medium Breed Adult Dry Dog Food. This is a very impressive formula that provides your dog with immunity because of the antioxidants and prebiotics.
What is special about this dog food is that it can be used for dogs between the ages of 1 and 7.
It even caters to your dog’s digestion through an abundance of fiber which is very important. The kibble bits are specially designed to help your dog’s teeth and encourage chewing.
Pros
- Antioxidants for immune support
- Perfect for medium breeds
- High-quality protein for muscles
- Healthy fiber for digestion
- DHA and EPA for skin and coat
- Specially sized Kibble
Cons
- Not the best packaging
3. Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Adult Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food
If your dog likes chicken then he will love Purina ONE Natural Dry Dog Food, SmartBlend Chicken & Rice Formula.
The first ingredient is real chicken, so you can rest assured that your dog is receiving an adequate amount of protein.
You can also expect him to have a strong immune system because of the antioxidant defense contained in this food.
Because Vizsla’s are energetic dogs they need to have healthy joints and bones. This dog food can provide that because it contains natural sources of glucosamine.
Pros
- Natural source of glucosamine
- Perfect for medium breeds
- High-quality protein for heart & muscles
- Taste your dog will love
- Omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat
- Crunchy and meaty kibble bits
Cons
- Minor manufacturing issues
4. Rachael Ray Nutrish Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Veggies Recipe
Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe dry dog food is a great choice if you want a dog food with high-quality ingredients.
It lists chicken as the first ingredient so that your dog can benefit from protein. This dog food also uses farm-raised chicken and a range of healthy vegetables that will give your dog great nutrition.
For Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, healthy fats are also provided by the chicken in a nutritious and tasty recipe
Pros
- Added vitamins and minerals
- Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids for skin and coat
- Healthy vegetables
- Protein is the first ingredient
- Great taste
- Digestible Carbohydrates
Cons
- Contains soy meal
5. Iams Puppy Dry Dog Food, Chicken, All Breed Sizes
You may be wondering why we have listed a dog food that is meant for a large breed dog since a Vizsla is a medium breed.
This is because Vizslas are very energetic and lean, so they can benefit from this type of dog food. It has a special blend of quality protein sourced from farm-raised chicken.
It also contains 22 nutrients that will help a developing dog.
Pros
- Supports good digestion
- Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids for skin and coat
- Great for immune health
- High-quality ingredients
- Farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient
- 22 key nutrients
- DHA for healthy cognition
Cons
- Not the best packaging
Is A Raw Diet Healthy For A Vizsla Puppy?
Some people prefer to give their dogs raw food as opposed to kibble because some dogs have trouble digesting carbohydrates. It may put pressure on your dog’s system by spiking insulin and causing inflammation.
Raw food may suit some dogs better and a Vizsla is a dog breed that does particularly well on a raw diet.
If your dog is already used to raw food then changing to kibble may prove a problem so try to use one option and stick to it.
Raw food may take a bit more time for you to prepare and cleanliness standards must be maintained so that your dog does not get sick.
How Much Do Vizsla Puppies Grow Each Week?
This is not an easy question to answer because no two dogs are the same. And growth for one dog may happen at a different time for another.
This also depends on a number of factors including environment, metabolism, genetics, nutrition, and activity level. Remember that some dogs have growth spurts which can be triggered at different times in their development.
Should You Feed A Vizsla Puppy Supplements?
For a Vizsla, dietary supplementation can greatly improve health. However, it is better to consult a veterinarian who can give you specific information about your particular Vizsla and what they need at any given time.
Some dog owners like to use Glucosamine as a supplement for their dogs.
How Much Water Should A Vizsla Puppy Drink?
You should definitely make a lot of water available to your Vizsla puppy on account of them being so energetic. Good hydration is very important if they are to be healthy.
Place the water in a spot that your Vizsla has access to. This will make it easy for them, especially in hot climates.
