| When your Miniature Pinscher is old enough and ready | | | | bills to address the medical problems. If a thyroid |
| to leave the breeder, you will most likely leave with | | | | problem would develop, it can usually be treated with |
| your new pup and a sufficient amount of food for a | | | | medicine and dietary management. No dog owner |
| least a week. You will have done your homework | | | | wants to see their pet suffer. In the case of the Min |
| and will follow the breeder's instructions for feeding. | | | | Pin, many medical problems can be avoided by using |
| Keep in mind that the dog's feeding needs will change | | | | good nutritional management by an owner. |
| as he dog gets older. An adult Miniature Pinscher | | | | Feeding instructions for the Miniature Pinscher are |
| typically eats one meal daily. If the dog is fed more | | | | typically one half ounce of food for each one pound |
| than it requires per day, it is going to gain weight. If | | | | of weight. There is some debate as to whether or |
| weight gain occurs, there are other issues that are | | | | not a dog should be eating "people" food. The |
| likely to occur. The Min Pin is a sturdy, muscular little | | | | standard rule of thumb is that table food should be |
| dog that, despite its appearance has a light bone | | | | avoided particularly if they are high in sugar or |
| structure. If the light bone structure is required to | | | | sodium. If a small dog eats such foods, it can gain |
| manage a more than necessary number of pounds, | | | | weight rapidly. If the dog continues to eat an |
| the Min Pin may have medical issues including pain. An | | | | inappropriate diet, there is a high chance that sugars |
| overweight smaller dog is a candidate for significant | | | | and sodium can build up and become toxic. The Min |
| joint problems. | | | | Pin owner may not realize that there is a toxic |
| Owners should be aware that, if their Miniature | | | | process occurring in the pancreas or kidneys until |
| Pinscher is overweight, it is not only likely to develop | | | | serious symptoms occur that are possibly unable to |
| joint problems, but also it can have an increased risk | | | | be medically treated. The bottom line is that |
| for diabetes and breathing problems. If these medical | | | | overfeeding and feeding inappropriate foods can |
| problems develop, a Min Pin owner is likely to be | | | | cause pain and a number of medical problems that will |
| faced with significant financial output for veterinarian | | | | shorten the life span of the Min Pin. |