Bernese Mountain Dog Health Problems and Feeding

Apartment Living

Active Lifestyle

Watchdog Ability

Child Friendly

Dog Friendly

Cat Friendly

Shedding Level

Exercise Needs

Social Needs

Grooming needs

Stranger Friendly

Health Issues

Trainability

Adaptability

Feeding of the Bernese Mountain Dog

Feeding of Bernese Mountain Dog puppy:

• 1 - 2 months - 6 feedings a day
• 2 - 4 months - 5 feedings a day
• 4 - 6 months - 4 feedings
• 6 - 12 months - 3 meals
• After 1 year of rapid growth and metabolism of the dog, an adult pug eats 2 times a day.

There are two types feeding of Bernese Mountain Dog: home make food or ready food for dogs. The main rule, never mix both types of feeding.

Helpful products for Bernese Mountain Dog:

• Lean meat (turkey, rabbit, beef, and venison) cut off any fat from the meat or offal
• Chicken, is a strong allergen, so be careful adding it to complementary feeding
• Cereals (brown rice)
• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Greenery
• Sea fish (without bones)
• Offal (kidney, stomach, tripe) cooked or parboiled
• Dairy products (yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese)

Dangerous products for Bernese Mountain Dog:

• Fatty meat (pork)
• Sausage
• Grapes and raisins
• Sweets
• Macadamia nuts
• Chocolate
• Beans
• Raw river fish with bones
• Spices
• Fried food
• Avocado
• Pasta
• Oatmeal (puppies sometimes have problems with the gastrointestinal tract)
• Tubular bones of birds (very dangerous)

Bernese Mountain Dog Health Problems

The Bernese Mountain Dog has health problems and prospective owners should know about them. His average life span is only 8 years. Dog of this breed is susceptible to several health problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, several types of cancer, autoimmune diseases, kidney problems and an eye disease that causes blindness.

One of the main health issues of the Bernese is a significantly higher risk of cancer.  According to research, over half of Bernese Mountain Dogs die from cancer, as compared to 27% of other dogs. Of particular danger to this breed are cancers connected to the lymph nodes and bone structure.

Cancer: different forms of cancer afflict a lot of Bernese Mountain Dogs and can cause early death. Symptoms include abnormal swelling of a sore or bump, sores that don't heal, bleeding from any body opening, and difficulty with breathing or elimination. Treatments for cancer include chemotherapy, surgery, and medications.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): it is of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind; they lose sight during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision, as long as their surroundings remain the same.

Hip Dysplasia: this is an inherited condition in which the thighbone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but others don't display outward signs of discomfort.

Elbow Dysplasia: similar to hip dysplasia, this is also a degenerative disease common to large-breed dogs. It can be   caused by abnormal growth and development, which results in a malformed and weakened joint.

Von Willebrand's Disease: this is a blood disorder that affects the clotting process. An affected dog will have symptoms such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding from surgery, prolonged bleeding during heat cycles or after whelping, and occasionally blood in the stool. This disorder is usually diagnosed between three and five years of age, and it can't be cured.