Puppy Nutritional Needs
The lenght and quality of your puppy's life will be influenced by three factors: genetics, nutrition and general care. Genetics including the inheritance of susceptibility or resistance to disease, are determined at conception. Providing the correct nutrition is easy when you feed a nutritionally balanced puppy food, formulated for the needs of the growing puppy. The third factor, care encompasses many areas of training and tender loving care you can provide, plus proper veterinary care.
Why Puppies Need Special Nutrition
Shortly after birth, a puppy receives protective antibodies in his/her mother's milk. Gradually, this natural immunity will disapear. It will eventually be replaces by the puppy's own immunity. However, there is often a "lag" time before the puppy produces adequate antibodies. Consequently, at six to ten weeks of age, a puppy is suscepitable to a number of diseases. This is why it is so vital to take him/her to a veterinarian as soon as possible for a checkup and vaccinations, and why it is important to start your puppy off on a proper diet and proper feeding habits.
When it comes to diet, puppies are like people. They need to eat the proper diet to help them stay healthy and lively. At certain times during his/her period of growth and development a puppy requires more than twice the amount of most nutrients per pound of body weight as compared to an adult dog.
At six to eight weeks of age, he/she requires as much as three times the adult caloric requirement per pound of body weight. This amount declines to twice the adult caloric requirement by the time puppy is sixteen weeks old. The caloric requirements of puppy gradually decrease to the adult requirements over a period of time which varies in lenght by breed and individual dog. Many breeds complete growth and development in approximately one year, but certain large and giant breed puppies may not mature until they are nearly two years old.
Despite these high nutrient needs, it is important not to over feed your puppy. Protect your puppy from becoming over weight and his/her health will benefit.
Healthy puppy growth is characterized by strong bones and teeth, proper development of body functions, clear eyes and a lustrous haircoat. You should be able to feel a slight padding of fat over your puppy's ribs, but an excessive amount should be avoided. Growth studies conducted have proven that the first two years of your puppy's life is a period of muscle, bone and haircoat development, as well as a time for forming resistance to diseases. A good puppy food developed with the correct balance and amounts of essential nutrients that puppy requires during this period of intense growth and development is key.
