Dog Health Recommendations and Tips
For Maintaining a Healthy Dog Diet in All Life Stages
by Dr Elissa Kadar, Hills Pet Nutrition
An ideal diet is a premium diet specifically intended for puppies or growth. Typically,a veterinarian can give the best dietary advice during a puppy's vaccination need only be tiny. appointments and puppy owners should ask their vet any questions they have about diet at that time.
Large breed puppies
That is, dogs that wilt attain an adult weight more than 25kg - should be fed on a premium diet that states it's intended for large-breed puppies.
Dry kibble is often the most convenient to feed and, provided the diet is complete and balanced for growth, it's unnecessary to add anything at all to the diet aside from having fresh water available at all times.
Encourage daily activity and avoid overfeeding. It's especially important not to allow puppies to become overweight as this will increase their chances of developing health problems, particularly with their bones and joints. If the owner is unsure if their puppy is the right weight, a quick check by a vet or veterinary nurse can resolve the issue; they can also recommend an appropriate adjustment in the amount fed daily if required.
We often replace attention with treats as we lead such busy lives. Puppies crave our attention and time and treats for training need only be tiny.
Adult dogs should ideally be fed a premium diet intended specifically for the maintenance of adult dogs, usually one to seven years of age.
If feeding commercial food, owners should check the label on the bag to be sure it contains this information. A label that states the food is intended for all Life stages means it has been formulated to meet the requirements of growing puppies and will contain excess calcium, energy and protein for an adult dog.
Again, kibble is generally most convenient and no additional food is required if the product is complete and balanced. Over the tong term, kibble is probably better for dogs' teeth than canned food.
Canned food for adult dogs can be mixed with the dry food if the owner prefers. This means the amount of dry food fed daily will need to be decreased.
For certain breeds prone to obesity a "light" adult diet, restricted in fat and calories, may be preferable during adult years.
Keep treats and snacks to a minimum. Dogs love attention and your time; usually we are feeding treats out of habit.
Avoid feeding human food as this can become a habit for your dog and lead to weight problems.
It's hard work to get a dog to lose a substantial amount of weight and much easier and healthier to avoid weight gain in the first instance.
Senior dogs (older than age seven in small and medium breeds and greater than age five in large breeds) have decreased calorie requirements and senior diets are especially formulated to meet the decreased energy needs of older dogs.
Again, encouraging consistent daily walks and sticking to a feeding routine of the appropriate amount of a premium diet will help avoid weight gain in senior pets.
Many older dogs suffer from arthritis and keeping seniors trim will help enormously in the management of this disease.
Diets intended to aid in the management of health issues such as dental disease, kidney disease and cancer that occur commonly in older dogs can be prescribed by a veterinarian.
Not only does it keep them looking good, but maintaining a healthy weight for your pooch can result in fewer health problems later in life such as arthritis, breathing problems and many other disorders. A healthy diet also ensures a healthy-Looking coat as poor nutrition can lead to flaky, pale-looking coats.
"Senior dogs are more susceptible to a variety of other diseases," said Kadar, "and it's especially important to seek out an appropriate diet for senior dogs or seek advice from a veterinarian if owners suspect their dog may need a special diet to address a health issue."
Although there are many different diets to put your dog on, it's not possible to meet the requirements of all life stages with a single diet. Doing so could result in excess or inadequate nutrition, depending on the age of the dog, Kadar said.
"Complete and balanced means the diet contains every nutrient required by the dog at each life stage and, when the diet is fed to meet their energy requirements, they will have the perfect balance of nutrition."
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