Hello, pet parents! Welcome to my ultimate guide on feeding a Miniature Schnauzer.
In this guide, I will cover how much to feed a Miniature Schnauzer, how often to feed a Miniature Schnauzer, when to feed your Miniature Schnauzer, what foods to feed your Miniature Schnauzer, what foods to avoid feeding your Miniature Schnauzer, and other questions you may have about your Miniature Schnauzer’s nutrition.
You can read the article to the end, or go through the table of contents below and jump to the section that answers the questions you have on your mind.
- Miniature Schnauzer Nutritional Requirements
- Factors Affecting The Feeding of a Miniature Schnauzer
- Miniature Schnauzer Feeding Amount
- Miniature Schnauzer Feeding Frequency
- Miniature Schnauzer Feeding Schedule
- What Kind of Food Should You Feed Your Miniature Schnauzer?
- What Food Should You Avoid Feeding Your Miniature Schnauzer?
- When Should I Start Feeding Adult Food to My Miniature Schnauzers?
- Why Is My Miniature Schnauzer Not Eating?
- Why Is My Miniature Schnauzer Always Hungry?
- Frequently Asked Questions on Feeding A Miniature Schnauzer
- Final Thoughts
Miniature Schnauzers are one of the cutest show dogs out there, they are very playful and are one of the most popular dogs in the United States. I will go into details from my knowledge working for a vet on every feed question you might have.
Miniature Schnauzers are intelligent and playful dogs, they are active, energetic dogs, and they are known to participate in dog agility sports. They, like most small breeds, have a strong muscular frame beneath their fur. Given that they are active dogs, their nutrition has to be of utmost importance to you as pet parents. The best nutrition will allow them to live a healthy and happy life.
I have created this ultimate guide to feeding your Miniature Schnauzers for curious and new pet parents to solve your dog’s nutrition problem.
Let’s jump into the article.
Miniature Schnauzer Nutritional Requirements
Miniature Schnauzers are small-sized dogs that are very active and need the right amounts of nutrients to grow optimally. Deficiency of these nutrients in their feed would end up endangering the overall health of your dog.
Your Miniature Schnauzer meal when they are in their growing phase should majorly consist of 15-25% protein, adults 18-25% protein, 10-15% fats as puppies, and as adults 10-15% fats; fiber, carbohydrates, multi-vitamins, and minerals.
Your Miniature Schnauzer’s feed should contain adequate amounts of vitamins for a strong immune system, and minerals for healthy bones. Your dog’s fiber source should come from wholesome vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cabbage, and sprouts. While its source of proteins from animals like chicken, turkey, beef, and organic meat
Nutritional Requirement for a Miniature Schnauzer Puppy
The diet of a Miniature Schnauzer puppy and adolescent should consist of 15-25% protein, 10-15% fat, and 6% fiber. Puppies have a faster metabolism and would need as many nutrients to grow muscles and strong bones. This is the growing phase of your dog, so they need to be fed more times in this stage than in other stages.
Nutritional Requirement for an Adult Miniature Schnauzer
The meal plan for mature and adult Miniature Schnauzer should consist of 18-25% protein, carbohydrate, 10-15% fat, and fiber. At this stage, Miniature Schnauzers are most active and will need protein and carbohydrates to keep their weight and energy level optimal, however, you should avoid overfeeding your pet at this stage as Miniature Schnauzers are prone to obesity and will develop health complications.
Nutritional Requirement for a Senior and Miniature Schnauzer
At this stage of your dog’s life, it is less active than at other stages. Your senior Miniature Schnauzer food at this stage of growth should ideally consist of 28-32% protein, 8-12%% fat, and fiber. Senior Miniature Schnauzer will need minerals and vitamins added to their food to keep their immune system and bones healthy.
Factors Affecting The Feeding of a Miniature Schnauzer
Some factors will affect the diet of your Miniature Schnauzer such as the size of the breed, its age, its activity level, and its underlying health conditions.
Let’s take a quick look at those factors before we jump into the quantity of food to feed your dog.
Size consideration
The average length of a Miniature Schnauzer for males and females is 30–36 cm from the sole of its feet to its shoulder. The weight of a Miniature Schnauzer is 5.4–9.1 kg.
Miniature Schnauzers are small-sized dogs, so their calorie needs are not as high as those of other large breeds. Males and females are usually the same size, so they will require the same number of calories. However, providing them with too many calories per day can result in obesity.Â
Age consideration
Miniature Schnauzer puppies have a faster metabolism, and most of the nutrients absorbed from foods are used for growth, while the nutrients they get in their adult phase are used to maintain muscle mass and for energy generation. Seniors are less active; therefore, most of their nutrients are used for maintaining healthy bones and muscular frames. Â
Activity Level
Miniature Schnauzers’ most active stage is their adult stage, and while they are adults, they would need adult feed that usually contains carbohydrates for energy generation. Miniature Schnauzers are very active and agile dogs and will need adequate amounts of nutrients for healthy energy generation. However, if your dog is not the active type, you should take extra care not to overfeed your pup, as it can become obese.    Â
Health Consideration
Miniature Schnauzers are prone to certain health conditions, which should be taken into consideration in their diets if you wish to manage or prevent those issues.
Some of the health issues that may affect your Miniature Schnauzer include Von Willebrand disease, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, bladder stones, and eye problems. Â
Some of these health issues can be prevented or controlled by feeding your dog the right food and following strict guidelines when feeding them.
If Miniature Schnauzers are fed low-quality feed, which is most of the time the cheapest, it might trigger some of these issues in your pet and cause you to spend a hefty sum when you visit the vet. Proper steps need to be taken to prevent these issues.
Miniature Schnauzer Feeding Amount
Your Miniature Schnauzers, just like any other dog breed, will require different amounts of food according to their stage of development. According to nutritional requirements, the amount of food required by a puppy differs from that required by an adult.
On average, feed your puppy Miniature Schnauzer 0.25 cups of food that has 140 to 335 kcal per day; feed your adult Miniature Schnauzer 0.5 to 1 cup per day that has 575 to 775 kcal per day, according to their activity level; and feed your senior Miniature Schnauzer 0.75 cups per day that has 400 kcal per day.
I will provide you with charts below to help you plan your dog’s meals from its puppy years to its senior years. However, this meal plan is not one-size-fits-all. It’s just a general guideline that should be followed based on your dog’s needs and recommendations from your vet or dog nutritionist.
How Much To Feed Your Puppy Miniature Schnauzer
For your Miniature Schnauzer puppy to grow into a healthy adult, the meal should be high in protein and low in fat, which can be obtained from animal meat.
A Miniature Schnauzer puppy should be given 0.25 cups of food per day that contains 400 kcal of nutrients based on its age, weight, size, gender, and physical activity.
The feeding requirement of your puppy is given in detail in the charts below:
| Age | Daily FoodQuantity (Cups) | Kilocalories(Per day) | Protein | Fats |
| 2 – 3 months | 0.25 | 140 – 335 | 15-25% | 10-15% |
| 4 – 6 months | 0.25 – 0.33 | 335 – 465 | 15-25% | 10-15% |
| 7–24 months | 0.33 – 0.5 | 465 – 575 | 15-25% | 10-15% |
Following the above guidelines will aid in bone development and muscle growth, as well as strengthen their immune system to combat common bacteria and viruses that can cause health complications.
 How Much Should You Feed Your Adult Miniature Schnauzer?
The nutritional requirements in the meal of an adult Miniature Schnauzer are different from those of a puppy. The diet of an adult Miniature Schnauzer should have a lower percentage of proteins and fats to prevent obesity. This is done by reducing the feeding frequency to 2 times per day.
A mature and adult Miniature Schnauzer puppy should be given 0.5 to 1 cup of food per day that contains 575 to 775 kcal of nutrients based on its age, weight, size, gender, and physical activity.
The chart below will give you an understanding of the daily consumption needs of an adult Miniature Schnauzer to help you with their meal plan.
| Age | Daily Food Quantity(Cups) | Kilocalories(Per day) | Protein | Fats |
| 2–10 years | 0.5 – 1 | 575 – 775 | 18-25% | 10-15% |
How Much Should You Feed Your Senior Miniature Schnauzer?
Senior Miniature Schnauzers are generally less active than their younger counterparts due to fragile bones and joints. This means their meals will contain lesser quantities of calories, protein, and fat.
Geriatric Miniature Schnauzers are often plagued with health issues. Some of these issues can be alleviated by supplementing your senior dog’s diet with vitamins and minerals to help revive his or her weakened immune system and fragile bones.
Senior Miniature Schnauzers should be given 0.75 cups of food per day that contains 400 kcal of nutrients based on their age, weight, size, gender, and health issues.
The table below gives you some details about the meal plan of an older Miniature Schnauzer.
However, you must still ensure that they get the essential nutrients they need.
| Age | Daily Food Quantity(Cups) | Kilocalories(Per day) | Protein | Fats |
| 10 years and above | 0.75 | 400 | 28-32% | 8-12% |
You can continue giving your senior Miniature Schnauzer the same food you gave them as adults, only in a lesser quantity as they don’t need as many calories as adult dogs. However, you should still consult your vet or pet nutritionist to be on the safe side.
Miniature Schnauzer Feeding Frequency
Your Miniature Schnauzer’s meal frequency will vary the same as the feeding amounts, which are majorly dependent on its age. Below is a list of how often to feed your Miniature Schnauzers:
How Often Should You Feed Your Miniature Schnauzer’s Puppy?
•     During the weaning process or at 8 weeks old and below: feed them four times a day at equally spaced intervals.
•     8 weeks to 3 months old: feed them three to four times a day at equally spaced intervals.
• 3 months to 24 months old: gradually transition to feeding them three times a day with equally spaced time intervals
How Often Should You Feed Your Adult Miniature Schnauzers?
You should feed your adult Miniature Schnauzer two times a day, with 12 hours of spacing between meals. One in the morning and one in the evening is ideal.
How Often Should You Feed Your Senior Miniature Schnauzer?
You should feed your senior Miniature Schnauzer two times a day except given a specific schedule by a vet.
Miniature Schnauzer Feeding Schedule
•     Miniature Schnauzer’s puppies should be free-fed or fed in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night due to a faster metabolism in comparison to their adult colleagues
•     Adolescent Miniature Schnauzers should be fed in the morning, afternoon, and evening to help them transition properly into an adult.
•     Adult and Senior Miniature Schnauzers should also be fed in the morning and in the evening unless stated differently by your vet or pet nutritionist.
As a general rule, you should feed your Miniature Schnauzers a few hours before going to bed in the evening, so they have enough time to digest the food before going to sleep.
In total, we shouldn’t spoil our companions with treats as they may grow too attached to them. Treats should be heavily used as a reward when training your dog.
What Kind of Food Should You Feed Your Miniature Schnauzer?
The food you feed your Miniature Schnauzer should specifically cater to large breeds and contain the required nutrients necessary for a strong and healthy dog.
The kind of food to feed your Miniature Schnauzer includes dry dog food, wet dog food, a home-cooked diet, and biologically appropriate raw food to ensure your dog eats a balanced diet.
Let me touch on these few points to help you understand what to feed your dog:
                Dry Food: Dry dog or kibble is a portion of commercial pet food made by grinding and mixing up ingredients like meats, grains, and nutritional additives, which are then shaped into little kernels and cooked at high temperatures to remove the water content. Dry dog food contains more carbs, less fat, less water, and sometimes less protein, and is often recommended by vets due to its lower cost, dental health benefits, convenience, weight loss support, and playtime perks.
                Wet Food: Wet dog food, or canned food, is made by mixing up and cooking the ingredients before adding or extracting varying amounts of water. Unlike dry dog food, wet dog food contains more water, fewer carbs, more fat, and often more protein. They are recommended by veterinarians due to their high water content, taste, ease of eating, and high nutritional profile.
                Home-Cooked Diet: Home-cooked diets are a great option for pet parents who are not into commercial dog food and want to go the extra length to prepare a meal for their furry companion. Feeding your dog a home-cooked meal gives you control over its nutrition and can put your mind at ease knowing that you are always providing the best care for your dog.
                The BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Diet) is a diet that includes raw meat, raw eggs, crushed animal bones, fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and other natural ingredients. BARF diets are used as a substitute for processed foods with preservatives. However, consult your vet before feeding your pet a raw diet to avoid health complications from harmful substances.
What Food Should You Avoid Feeding Your Miniature Schnauzer?
We should take caution before giving whatever food we’re eating to our Miniature Schnauzer. They have large appetites, which makes it tempting to hand them whatever we find ourselves eating.
There are certain human foods, fruits, and vegetables you should avoid feeding your Miniature Schnauzer because they contain toxins that are harmful to your pet and could lead to frequent trips to the vet.
Human foods to avoid feeding your Miniature Schnauzer include chocolates, coffee, gum, peanut butter, candies, cooked bones, etc.
The Fruits and vegetables to avoid feeding your Miniature Schnauzer include grapes, avocado, garlic, onions, etc.
You should always check the ingredients on the food label to see if these ingredients are present in the food. Or you can simply consult a vet or pet nutritionist to check the ingredients with them.
When Should I Start Feeding Adult Food to My Miniature Schnauzers?
You should transition your Miniature Schnauzer puppy from puppy food to adult food when he’s around 10–12 months old.
Transitioning your adolescent Miniature Schnauzers from puppy food to adult food is an important stage in your dog’s development. Puppy food contains more calories and nutrients than adult food to meet the nutritional requirements at that stage of life.
Transitioning needs to be gradual by introducing adult feed bit by bit until you get to 100% adult feed.
However, feeding your adult puppy food will fill them with more protein and fat than their body requires and will lead to obesity due to the high fat content the body doesn’t need for optimum growth.
Why Is My Miniature Schnauzer Not Eating?
Your Miniature Schnauzer will not eat if it has one or a combination of the factors listed below:
Illness, dental problems, teething, medication, separation anxiety, time of day, spoiled food, stress, and picky eaters
A Miniature Schnauzer may not be eating as a result of age or an underlying illness. If your dog is not drinking water, then you need to see the vet as soon as possible.  Â
Why Is My Miniature Schnauzer Always Hungry?
Miniature Schnauzers are prone to diabetes, and that might be the reason for your dog’s consistent eating. If your dog is trained properly and this happens, you should see the vet. Otherwise, dogs are only motivated by food and will eat anything they can get their mouths on. That is why it is important to properly train your pup.
An alternative reason might be if your dog is engaged in too many exercises, is under stress, or is infected by worms; if your dog is in any of these categories, then it may be why they are always hungry.
Frequently Asked Questions on Feeding A Miniature Schnauzer
Do Miniature Schnauzers eat a lot?
Miniature Schnauzers are notorious eaters, and if not properly trained, they may overeat to the point of developing stomach issues. Miniature Schnauzers are small and thus will need adequate and proper training to keep them on a straight and healthy diet.
Can Miniature Schnauzers Become Vegetarians?
The Miniature Schnauzer breed can live on a vegetarian diet as long as this diet consists of all the essential nutrients required by Miniature Schnauzers to thrive and grow optimally.
If you’re taking your dog on a vegan diet, then ensure that their meals contain micronutrients that may not be present in a regular vegan diet.
You should consult your vet or pet nutritionist while planning your vegan meals to ensure your Miniature Schnauzer does not encounter any health complications.
Can miniature Schnauzers eat bones?
Miniature Schnauzers can be fed raw bones, not cooked bones, as this will encourage healthy bones and teeth, and as a bonus, raw bones contain a lot of micronutrients that may not be in their food.
However, you ensure that bones fed to your dog are disposed of after two to three days to prevent infection. Some guidelines concerning this have been stipulated by the American Kennel Club.
What Human Food Can I Feed My Miniature Schnauzer?
You can feed your Miniature Schnauzer different types of human foods, such as beef, chicken, pork, turkey, salmon, tuna, and eggs. They can also eat noodles, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, unsalted peanuts, parsnips, and other foods such as rice and pasta, yogurt, cheese, and peanut butter.
What Fruits and Vegetables Can I Feed My Miniature Schnauzer?
A miniature Schnauzer can eat many types of fruits, such as strawberries, apples, bananas, raspberries, peaches, mangoes, pears, blueberries, plums, melon, pineapple, oranges, and kiwi fruit. They can also eat vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, peas, corn, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, and more.Â
Should You Give Your Miniature Schnauzer Supplements?
Your Miniature Schnauzer doesn’t need to be given supplements if you feed them a commercial diet that meets their nutritional requirements. However, you may need to feed them supplements if you feed them home-cooked meals as recommended by your vet or dog nutritionist.
Final Thoughts
Miniature Schnauzers are playful, energetic, and cute pups that any pet parent will be lucky to have. As a pet parent, it is absolutely essential that the pup get the best nutrition and training possible. Miniature Schnauzers are prone to diabetes, so calorie intake has to be monitored to avoid health problems.
Options such as dry, wet, raw, and homemade diets are all great for them. You can free-feed your Miniature Schnauzer as a puppy, but you have to draw up a strict plan as they go on. It is also essential to know what foods are healthy and should be avoided, as some are toxic.
However, if you desire more information on how to take care of your Miniature Schnauzer, you should contact the nearest vet for information on essential nutrients, and you can also see a pet nutritionist for a regimen schedule for your pet.
