Health

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When choosing your Jack Russell food, you will need to make decisions based on several factors including your dogs weight, health conditions and personal preferences. First of all, you will need to decide whether to feed your Jack Russell dried food, wet food (canned), natural cooked diet or raw.

Why a Good Dog Food is important

A good dog food is important because a good quality food in the right amount it will keep your dog healthy and the right weight without becoming obese. You can read more about a healthy Jack Russell Weight here. Choosing the right food can also have an impact on your dogs healthy and shiny coat and overall general health.

Which Jack Russell Food should I Choose?

Let’s take a look at the main options for Jack Russell food included some recommended brands. Remember that before making a decision it is often a good idea to take professional advice as all dogs are different. Different dogs have different health conditions and personal preferences. When getting a Jack Russell puppy from a breeder, they will often come with recommendations for puppy food that they have been on at home when weaning. It is a similar situation when adopting a dog from a rescue centre – they will often recommend a good food for your dog. It is also recommended that you take your vets advice on feeding your dog. Your dog will need a first trip to the vets for other advice such as vaccinations and worming and so you can discuss feeding at this first vets appointment. If you inherit your dog or rescue from the streets, it is vital to take that first vets trip to identify any health problems or underlying conditions.

Dry Food or Kibble

Kibble such as Chappie or Iams can be good for a dog who has a very sensitive stomach. Our Jack Russell-Patterdale cross Blake had a bout of Colitis before we adopted him and the RSPCA recommended to keep him on the Chappie that settled his stomach. We still feed him Chappie kibble a couple of years later, but we supplement his diet with other snacks and treats such as cooked chicken or ham.

Dry dog food is sometimes criticised for being high in grain and so if you are concerned about this you can opt for a grain free Kibble such as Lily’s Kitchen. however, many vets argue that a small amount of grain in your dogs diet is a good thing, so don’t worry too much. We feel that the key thing is not to ONLY give your dog kibble, but to supplement with other treats such as the cooked chicken, or even cut up bits of cooked sausage. This works very well for Jack Russell Tarining!

Wet Food and Mixer

Canned dog food is surely a tasty option – most Jack Russells really love it! All my other Jack Russells (Patch, Suzy and Milo) were on wet (canned) dog food and a mixer. My favourite canned dog foods for them are Butchers and Bounce – nutritious and excellent value. Other popular options include Lily’s Kitchen and Forthglade dog food.

Using mixer biscuits can add variety to their wet food meal – it adds starch to their diet and aids digestion. We have been very happy with Winalot shapes and Pedigree chum mixer, but also have found good quality mixers in Supermarkets own brand such as Asda.

Natural Cooked Diet

A natural cooked diet can be nutritious and tasty for your dog! There are many options that are healthy if you are cooking for your dog including:

• Meat – Beef, Turkey, Pork, Chicken, Lamb
• Fish – Shrimp (fully cooked with shell removed), Tuna,
• Vegetables – Carrots, Green beans, Spinach, Peas Celery, Cucumbers, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Corn.
• Other – Rice and Eggs (in moderation)

There are some foods that you should certainly avoid for your dog. Never give your dog cooked meat on the bone as it can splinter and get stuck in their throat – this can be extremely dangerous and may result in life saving surgery. For the same reason, never give your dog chicken bones. If you choose to feed your dog pork, make sure that it is fully cooked to avoid lungworm and keep on top of your dogs worming regime (recommended every 3-6 months but check with your vet).

Butternut Box

If you don’t have much time to shop, prepare and cook but you want your dog to eat health gently cooked food then there are many options on subscription. An excellent choice for ordering online is the Butternut Box which is healthy gently cooked food for your dog delivered directly to your front door. You can prepare these in the microwave!

Raw Feeding

Many people are turning to a raw diet for their dogs, However, although dogs would have eaten a lot of raw food in the wild, it is not so ideal for your domesticated pet dog. It’s not ideal to feed your Jack Russell raw meat. By cooking their food for them you eliminate bacteria and worms. They also love the tasty smell of cooked food!

Many people believe that a raw diet can eliminate skin conditions, lead to a shiny coat and improve overall dog health. If you do choose raw then some options will be healthier and more easily digested than others. Raw eggs, brocolli and liver or kidney are excellent options for raw feeding your dog. They can also crunch on raw carrots as a snack.

How much should I feed my Jack Russell? You can use this Raw dog food calculator to work it out.

Overall, we believe in varying your dogs diet for their overall health and well being. So for example, you may choose to feed kibble or wet dog food (with mixer) but then supplement with cooked chicken and raw carrot as snacks and treats.

What do you choose to feed your Jack Russell?

If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Jack Russell Health

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Jack Russells are generally healthy and sturdy dogs and you will get a good lifespan out of a terrier. In fact, a terrier will live longer than larger breeds such as Alsatians and Great Danes. So exactly how long do Jack Russells live?

How long do Jack Russells live?

It is said that the average lifespan of a Jack Russell Terrier is 10-12 years. However, they are considered to be one of the healthier dog breeds so it’s possible that they could live longer than this. It really depends on how well you take care of them and their genealogy. Some dog breeds are expected to live longer than others because they are healthier and less prone to health problems.

My last Jack Russell Terrier Milo lived until the age of 15 when he started to display heart problems. He was a rescue and said to be roughly 5 when I got him so we can’t be sure. But I had him for 10 years.

Does their Lifespan vary according to health and diet?

It’s also true that some dogs live a shorter lifespan than others due to the way they are treated and/or their diet. The same can be said for human beings as well. It also really depends on your dog’s environment and the people they interact with, especially if you have kids. I have seen smaller Jack Russells live longer than larger ones, just because of the extra stress placed on their bodies from carrying around more weight. Regardless, there are numerous factors that can affect an individual’s lifespan aside from genetics such as: nutrition, environment, stress levels, overall health etc.

How old is the Oldest Jack Russell?

I kid you not, I have met Jack Russells in their 20s! I met one once in a Supermarket car park who was sitting on his owners lap at the grand old age of 21! Someone who I went to University with had a Jack Russell called ‘Digger’ and he lived to 22! In fact The oldest dog in Britain was a 25-year-old Jack Russell from Somerset, which died in 2014.

You might also like to read our article about Jack Russell health.

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This article is about Jack Russell Pregnancy. You will read all about the risks, how long is a Jack Russell pregnancy, vet bills for pregnant Jack Russell and birth.

When can a Female Dog get Pregnant?

Jack Russell pregnancy begins when the female dog (called a bitch) enters into heat. At this time her vulva will swell and she will release an egg from her ovaries which can then be fertilized by sperm in the male’s penis during intercourse. This cycle of heat typically lasts between 6-14 days from its first day before returning to normal and beginning again on a new set of days. The majority of females do not produce eggs every time they go into heat so it may take more than one litter to produce puppies if desired.

How many Puppies can a Pregnant Jack Russell Carry?

Depending on the size of your Jack Russell, her heat cycle and how large her uterine environment is will determine how many puppies she can carry. The average Jack Russell pregnancy lasts between 58-60 days and ends with your pups being born.

Caring for your Pregnant Female Jack Russell Terrier

During this time, there is much that a dog owner should be aware of so that they can best care for their pregnant Jack Russell. The most important things to remember while caring for a pregnant Jack Russell are:

1) Take extra special care to avoid accidents! There have been cases of pregnant dogs who were accidentally locked in a bathroom with no one to care for them, or left out in the rain. It’s more important to look after her than ever when she is carrying puppies.

2) Give your dog the best diet you can, not only to help her get through her pregnancy and make sure she drinks water but also to keep her in top condition before she has puppies.

3) Know what type of prenatal vitamins your Jack Russell should be taking and when it is time for her to take them. During pregnancy, a dog’s liver and kidneys expand up to three times their normal size due to increased blood volume. This increases the amount of nutrients that are needed by each individual cell in these organs.

4) Take extra special care to avoid fights with your other pets! When you have a pregnant dog in the home, all of your pets should be kept in separate rooms or placed on leashes when walking during the pregnancy period. Male dogs or a bitch in heat can cause problems if left together without proper supervision.

5) Discuss with the vet what types of medications can be given for each stage of your pet’s pregnancy. It is important that you discuss this with them before the pregnancy occurs. This will allow you to make some advance preparations and ensure that there are no surprises later on in the pregnancy.

6) The last few weeks of a Jack Russell pregnancy are the most crucial. You should prepare for the puppies’ birth by setting up a nursery area in a room that you intend to keep all of your pets in. If your dog is on heat during her pregnancies then this room will also need to be kept quiet and dark at night to assist with sleeping and maintaining milk production.

7) There are some side effects that can happen during pregnancy such as extra hair loss, dandruff, and skin infections. Make sure that you keep up on your grooming schedule for your dog, she might feel unwell and be less likely to play if her coat is not groomed regularly.

8) Keep a close eye out for any signs that the dogs are not feeling well. If she’s always lethargic and can’t keep her head up, you should take her in to see the vet immediately. This is a sign that there could be something wrong.

9) You may want to investigate the costs associated with pregnancy and why you should take care of your pregnant pups yourself. Pet owners should know their puppy’s full health history from before and after conception through to their first year of life so they can make an informed decision on where they will want to go for veterinary care if needed in the future, or even get a second opinion if desired for any reason.

10) Know that every dog is different whether it be in size, breed or diet. The best advice you will be able to get is when you have your pup in the vet’s office and can speak with the vet and other Jack Russell owners who are going through the same thing.

All puppies are very unique and will have different needs throughout their lives depending on weather, temperature, diet and other circumstances. You must always take care of your dog no matter what age she is in since you never know what may happen at any moment.

Problems that may occur during Jack Russell Pregnancy

1) Cauda equina syndrome – The cauda equina syndrome is where a pregnant dog may develop back pain and even paralysis in her hind legs. There are several causes of this including infection, injury, developmental abnormalities or nerve damage. This can be treated by treating your pregnant dog with pain medicine as well as some other treatments often including chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, drugs (often Acepromazine), and surgery (if there is no response to other treatments).

As a precaution you should know what to do in case your dog has a miscarriage. If you notice dilated cervix, any blood in the vagina or stool, or increased pain and fever then you can take your dog to the veterinarian.

2) Failure to thrive (FAT) – If a dog does not gain enough weight during pregnancy, he may be at risk of death; however, this is a very rare occurrence. If your pregnant dog stops gaining weight or sees a drop in her body temperature for more than two days then he should be checked by a vet. The vet will do an ultrasound to check for fetal heartbeat and whether there are any problems. If there are no problems then your pregnant dog should slowly start adding on the right amount of food that he needs throughout his gestation period.

3) Umbilical cord compression – Compression of the pup’s umbilical cord is a rare occurrence and it is typically caused by a knot in the mother’s uterus. This is very painful and can be fatal. If your dog is losing blood then she may need to be taken into surgery or put on anti-coagulant medications until the uterus contracts. The dog’s puppies may also be dead if there is not intervention from surgery or medication.

Always have a Contingency Fund for Vet Bills

Most Jack Russell pregnancies run smoothly – my girl had 4 beautiful pups without the need for any veterinarian intervention. But we did have a vet on hand. If your dog is pregnant it is a good idea to have a contingency budget of at least £3000-£4000 in case of emergencies and in case of urgent surgery such as a cesarian.

Do you really need to Breed?

When our Jack Russell got pregnant it was actually an accident! It was when I was a child, so I was not directly responsible for the dog, but she got pregnant by a neighbours dog just after she was in heat. We managed to find homes for all four puppies, but it would have been ideal to have her spayed to avoid the unwanted pregnancy. I learnt from this experience and that’s why now I always rescue and have my dogs neutered (male and female) to avoid this.

If you are breeding, please consider the reason why you are breeding. Money is not really a reason, as they often cost more in vets bills and food than you make. With the growing number of unwanted pups, please consider whether you can encourage people to rescue Jack Russells rather than buy pups. There are so many unwanted puppies needing homes.