Nutritional Requirements for Puppies

There’s nothing quite like the simple joy of welcoming a growing puppy into your family. In those vital months of healthy growth, you experience a whirlwind of emotions and special moments as you raise, teach, and bond with your pup. In exchange for love and companionship, your growing puppy depends on you for their overall health and well-being; it’s your duty to become aware of what puppies need in pet nutrition in order to nurture them into adulthood. It’s an exciting time that demands you take on new responsibilities. As such, there are several important decisions you’ll have to make to ensure that your puppy grows into a healthy adult. As a new pet owner, the onus is on you to create a healthy lifestyle for your dog. Along with critical tasks such as daily exercise or regular visits to the vet, creating a healthy puppy feeding pattern for your puppy is crucial for the healthy growth process. By crafting a pet nutrition plan tailored to your dog’s nutritional requirements, you’ll e...

Puppies grow rapidly. At times during their rapid growth and development from weaning until approximately 4 to 6 months of age, puppies, depending on the breed size, require approximately three times more calories, proteins, vitamins and minerals per kilogram of body weight as adult dogs of the same breed size and a higher nutrient intake to support their growing bodies. The first food a breeder introduces to puppies should provide complete and balanced nutrition to meet the nutrient requirements of growing puppies. With proper nutrition, puppies are more likely to develop properly and have strong bones and teeth, healthy vision, a thick lustrous coat and strong muscles. Although rapid growth in many breeds begins to plateau by 6 months of age, puppies continue to grow and develop for several months longer depending on the breed size of dog, with smaller breeds reaching physical maturity at a younger age compared to large and giant breed dogs. During this period, their nutrient require...

Walk down the dog food aisle of any large pet-supply store, or peruse the shelves at a boutique pet-food shop, and you can quickly become overwhelmed. This is especially true for puppy owners, and probably even more so for first-time puppy owners. When did it get so complicated? Back in the day, dog food options were far more limited, and even responsible dog owners didn’t worry too much about what went into their dog’s dish. The process may now be somewhat more involved, but that’s a good thing. Higher quality ingredients with better sourcing and specialized diet formulas lead to overall better health for our puppies. And every bit as important as what to feed your puppy is having an understanding of his special nutritional needs. All puppies are different, so if you have any concerns or questions about your puppy’s food , feeding schedule, or nutritional health, always consult your breeder or veterinarian—that’s what they’re there for. Many puppy owners wonder, “How long should I ...

 Diet for puppies must be higher in protein and fat than adult dog diet plans for strong bones and muscle support. Because puppies go through a remarkable growth spurt that can last as long as two years, their nutrition can make a life-long difference in their health. Consider this: A growing pup needs about twice as many calories per pound of body weight as an adult dog, according to the National Research Council of the National Academies. During this time, they’re building strong bones and muscles, and need extra energy and nutrients. The challenge for owners is navigating the maze of choices. Should they feed a food for small or large breeds? Or one intended for all sizes, ages and breeds? “All the different options can make it very confusing,” says nutritionist Sally Perea, DVM, MS. “And then there are different brands and different philosophies.” Dr. Perea, a member of Your Dog’s advisory board, shares this advice on choosing food wisely. puppy food BIGSTOCK Buy Food Intended...

Puppies cannot regulate vitamins and nutrients like an adult dog can, and puppies require a daily balanced diet. Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) model or Prey Model Raw (PMR) raw diets provide guidelines on items to include in a raw diet to provide essential nutrients and recommended calories for proper growth and development. The ingredients included in a puppy’s raw diet need to be selected to ensure recommended allowances for essential nutrients are met daily. Macronutrients for Puppies Macronutrients are the first piece in nutrition where they are necessary for optimal health. There are three primary macronutrients which includes protein, lipids (fats), and carbohydrates. Each macronutrient is found in nearly all foods and supply calories for energy. Recommended Daily Allowances for Macronutrients Macronutrients are defined as a class of chemical compounds which are consumed in large quantities and provide the bulk of energy within the diet. Protein Fat Carbohydrates...

 Puppies are an exciting new addition to the family. If you are considering bringing home a young dog, it’s important to remember that the nutritional needs of puppies are very different from adult dogs:      The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) estimates that the energy needs of a puppy are double those of an adult dog of the same breed. Because of this, NAS has identified higher minimum required levels of protein (including greater concentrations of specific amino acids), fat and certain minerals. Puppy food may also include higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids for healthy brain and eye development.      Larger breed puppies (dogs that grow to be over 60 pounds) typically require a diet that is slightly lower in calcium. Over-supplementation of calcium for larger breed puppies can support excessively rapid growth, which can result in certain orthopedic disorders such as hip and elbow dysplasia.    ...