Nothing is more charming than the puppies laughing barks, whiskers all over the place, and food scattered around – these are only a few of the many cute scenes one gets to experience during puppy feeding time. Even though we want to spend hours staring at our fur-babies enjoying a nice tasty treat, as puppy parents, we ought to know the dos and don’ts of puppy nutrition. We have the responsibility of ensuring that our four-legged friends get a balanced and healthy diet. To maintain the health of our furry companions, kids, and our own, we ought to feed them this way at different stages of life.
In this case, we are going to talk about what to feed a puppy and how to meet the special needs of puppies, adults, and senior dogs in terms of food and how their food requirements vary with age. What to feed them, what portion size, and even at what age to change them over to adult food, we should be knowledgeable about, and our puppies deserve the best food we can give them. So, come and jump into the ocean of puppy feeding information and find out all you should know to keep your puppy happy and healthy!
Nutritional Needs of Puppies & Senior Dogs
Puppies use considerably more energy than adult dogs do at first, roughly twice the number of calories per pound, and then gradually less, to about 1.2 times by the time they are 80 per cent of adult size. To support this increase, protein needs to comprise at least 25 per cent of their calories up to 14 weeks, and roughly 20 per cent thereafter. Calcium and phosphorus are also essential to healthy bone development: miniature breeds should get at least 0.33% calcium, giant breeds 0.55% or more, and the calcium to phosphorus ratio should be around 1.3:1.
To feed, give 3-4 meals a day till they are 6-12 months old, and then twice a day. Do not depend on measuring cups alone, as your puppy should be assessed by body condition scoring and frequent weighing to make sure that it is developing steadily and remains healthy.
Transitioning to Adult Food
Know when to make the switch based on your pup size and development: small dogs weighing less than 25 lb should switch between 9 and 12 months, medium dogs between 12 and 15 months, and large or giant breeds between 14 and 24 months or when they have attained approximately 80 percent of their final size. Neutering or spaying can justify the shift a little earlier, since the calorie need decreases subsequently.
To reduce tummy upsets, combine adult food with your current food over the course of approximately a week: begin with 75% puppy food and 25% adult food and gradually change the mix until you have completely switched over. Be it any symptoms of digestive upsets or finicky eating, pace the transition down as necessary.
Adult Dog Diet Essentials
Adult dogs do well on a complete and balanced diet, one that contains the appropriate proportions of all the essential nutrients as specified by AAFCO in their life stage. They are best fed twice a day by most adult dogs, divided by morning and evening meals at each feeding to help control energy level and appetite. The best method to make adjustments will be by using body-condition scoring and weigh-ins to control not only the amounts but also cups and select a formula to your size, age and activity to maximise nutrition and health.
Senior Dog Nutrition
When dogs reach their older years, their metabolism has slowed and many dogs lose muscle, decreasing their calorie requirements by approximately 2025 per cent, failure of which predisposes them to obesity, arthritis, and organ problems. The caloric and fat content of senior diets should be reduced, though they should also contain high-quality protein (approximately 2.55 g/kg or more per day) to maintain muscle mass. Older dogs with teeth problems may be assisted by wet food or softer kibble, whereas close supervision and veterinary advice will allow adjusting the diet to any other health-related factors.
Supplements & Snack Tips
Puppies require no supplements when being fed on a non-excessive, AAFCO-compliant commercial diet; all the nutrients their bodies require to develop are in their food. However, in geriatric dogs, joint health supplements including omega-3s (fish oil), glucosamine/chondroitin, and antioxidants (MSM or vitamin E) may facilitate joint health, skin and coat, cognition, and immunity.
The treats should not exceed 10 per cent of their daily food, and never should they be given raw bones that may easily choke or poison them. Low salt, low-fat snacks like plain carrot or apple slices should be given to seniors to facilitate good weight and digestion.
Conclusion
Dogs grow differently requiring different nutritional needs as they age, puppies prefer high-calorie foods, protein, calcium, and divided meals, the transition to adult food should depend on the breed size and gradual, balanced diets of their type and activity work best with adults, whereas seniors will have a lower level of calories, additional protein, and joint and skin support supplements per their health conditions. All the same, the simplest thing you can do to keep a healthy weight is simply to regularly monitor the body condition of your dog and, in close collaboration with your vet, alter their diet at every phase of its life.
FAQs
When exactly should I switch my dog from puppy to adult food?
Yes, go by breed-size and growth markers: small at ~9- 12 months, medium at ~12- 15 months, large at ~14- 24 months. Make sure that your dog is about 80 per cent grown up in size.
Can I just leave my senior dog on the same food throughout its life?
Not ideally. The nutritional requirements of elderly dogs are different. An adult or puppy food will not solve the problems associated with age and can cause obesity or a deficiency of nutrients.
What treats are safe for senior dogs?
Instead of low-fat, low-sodium snacks such as plain carrots or apple slices. Grapes and raisins should be avoided. As usual, counting treats as part of daily calorie intake.
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