March 2019
Official Club Diet Guidelines for the Veldtspitz
The Veldtspitz Club UK issues the following dietary guidelines for all registered owners. These guidelines are based on veterinary research, breeder experience, and the foundational work of Dr. H. Brandt (Windhoek Veterinary Institute, 1973).
The Fructo-Amylase Deficiency
The Veldtspitz carries a hereditary fructo-amylase enzyme deficiency affecting the proximal small intestine. This is a fixed genetic trait — it cannot be corrected through supplementation, dietary exposure, or veterinary treatment. All Veldtspitz, without exception, are affected.
The practical consequence: the breed cannot safely digest fructose. Any fruit or fructose-containing ingredient should be treated as a dietary hazard rather than a harmless occasional treat.
Strictly Prohibited Foods
- All fresh fruits: apples, bananas, mangoes, pears, grapes, watermelon, oranges, plums
- Dried fruits: raisins, sultanas, dried apricots, dates
- Fruit extracts in commercial products: apple powder, fruit juice concentrates, fructose syrups
- High-fructose corn syrup (present in some commercial treats)
Approved Diet Framework
- Primary protein (70%): beef, lamb, ostrich, venison, or game meat
- Organ supplement (20%): liver, kidney, heart — sourced from same animal species where possible
- Vegetable supplement (10%): carrot, sweet potato, pumpkin, courgette — all low in fructose
Commercial Food Guidance
Owners choosing commercial kibble or wet food should verify that the product contains no fruit-derived ingredients. The Club recommends contacting the manufacturer directly if ingredient labelling is ambiguous, as "natural flavouring" can sometimes include fructose sources.
Veldt Bloat: Recognition and Response
Should a Veldtspitz inadvertently ingest a fructose-containing food, monitor closely for: progressive abdominal distension, audible intestinal sounds, restlessness, refusal to eat, and shallow breathing. Mild cases resolve within 6–12 hours. Severe cases — worsening distension, retching, or obvious pain — require immediate veterinary attention. Inform the vet of the fructo-amylase deficiency diagnosis.