Achieving optimum growth in a puppy is a great step towards achieving a healthy adult dog. Optimum growth is a balance between the puppy’s genetics, the environment, and nutrition. Puppies need relatively more energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus than adult dogs (i.e. in relation to their body weight) but too much of any one of these nutrients can be harmful. When it comes to nutrition, more is not better!

ENERGY

Growing puppies need twice as much dietary energy, on a per-kilogram basis, as do adults. This need is greatest just after birth and then decreases as the dog matures. Excessive dietary energy may support a growth rate that is too fast for proper bone development, resulting in an increased frequency of skeletal disorders in the large and giant breeds. Because fat has twice the calorie density of protein or carbohydrate, dietary fat is the primary contributor to excess energy intake.

Not only does excess energy result in rapid growth, but dietary energy in excess of the puppy’s needs will be stored as fat and hence predispose the dog to juvenile obesity. Fat puppies will increase the number of fat cells they have (called fat cell hyperplasia) and are then predisposed to obesity for the rest of their lives.

Body condition scoring (BCS) evaluates body-fat stores, confirming if the energy intake is suitable. Maintaining a proper BCS during growth not only avoids juvenile obesity but also help to control excessive growth rates. Limiting food intake, while avoiding deficiencies, to maintain a lean body condition will not impede a dog’s ultimate genetic potential, but it will reduce food intake, fecal output and obesity, as well as lessening the risk of skeletal disease.

ENERGY REQUIREMENTS

Energy requirements for the healthy adult dog are, of course, highly individual, but they are largely affected by the individual’s:

• Breed
• Activity level
• Sex
• Age
• Environment

The amount of food fed ( and therefore the calorie or energy intake) should be varied to achieve a healthy, lean body condition.

FAT REQUIREMENTS

The minimum amount needed for healthy adult dogs is at least 5 per cent DMB ( dry matter basis ) with at least 1 per cent DMB being linoleic acid ( an essential fatty acid for dogs). By increasing the amount of fat in the food, palatability can be enhanced and the essential fatty acid level increases. This can be beneficial in improving skin and coat condition.

PROTEIN

Although puppies need more protein than adult dogs, any protein in excess of what is needed for growth may be converted to energy, and so increase the growth rate. Protein deficiency during growth has been shown to be harmful. The minimum, adequate level of dietary protein will depend upon its digestibility, its amino-acid profile, and its ratio of essential amino acids. A growth food should contain at least 22 per cent protein ( on a dry matter basis) of high biological value. Once the puppy reaches maturity. this level maybe reduced.

The amount of protein in commercial foods for healthy, adults dogs varies widely (15 to 60 per cent DMB). Once the individual’s amino-acid requirements are met, there is no benefit to be gained from additional protein. Remember that excess protein, above the amino-acid requirements, is not stored as protein, but id detoxified by the liver and kidneys. A food containing protein levels of 15-30 per cent DMB, will provide adequate protein for the healthy, adult dog.

MINERALS

The intake of too much calcium is more common than the intake of too little. This is because of the tendency to overfeed and to supplement the diet with additional minerals and vitamins in the form of powders, tablets and capsules. Adding high-calcium foods (such as milk, bone meal, and treats) also affects the growth ratio.

A high intake of calcium has the effect of inhibiting the natural remodelling process of bone that has to occur during development in response to the changing stresses on the skeleton. Over-nutrition may result in skeletal disorders in adulthood, especially in large breeds.

Optimum skeletal development for a puppy is achieved by feeding a minimum level of 1 per cent calcium on a dry matter basis. This level is desirable for larger breed puppies whose adult body weight will be more than 25 kgs (55lbs). For smaller-breed puppies the maximum recommended level is 2.5 per cent.

FEEDING METHODS

FREE-CHOICE FEEDING

This is an effortless way to feed growing puppies. Frequent trips to the always-full food bowl may help to limit boredom. Timid or non-thrifty animals have less competition when eating, as they can choose to feed at quieter times. However, free-choice feeding encourages overeating, which increases the risk of developmental bone disease. Therefore, free-choice feeding methods are not recommended for all “at risk” breeds until they have reached skeletal maturity (12-18 months of age, or at least 80 per cent of their adult weight and height)

The at-risk breeds include: Bernese Mountain Dog, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Labrador Retriever, Mastiff, Rottweiler, Bulldog and crosses involving these breeds.

TIME-LIMITED FEEDING

This feeding method can be used for most breeds. The food is only available for a set period two or three times daily, leading to reduced intake in most breeds. This slightly reduced intake results in slower growth rates but does not diminish the adult size achieved. Close attention should still be paid to the total amount of food consumed, since certain individuals (greedy feeders) are still able to consume large amounts of food during this limited time period. If this method is chosen, it is recommended to allow three 5- to 10- minute feeding periods for the first month after weaning, reducing to two per day after that.

FOOD-LIMITED FEEDING

This is the best method for feeding puppies to maintain optimum growth rate and body condition. Food-limited feeding involves giving a measured amount of food based on a calculated energy requirement. This will have been done by the manufacturer and is indicated in the feeding guide. Clinical monitoring of growth and adjustment of feeding amount are critical. Large- and giant- breed dogs grow rapidly and thus have steep growth curves. Their intake should be monitored closely and will have to be adjusted more frequently than that for dogs of smaller breeds. These at-risk breeds should be weighed, evaluated and have their feeding amount adjusted every two weeks. This is still an uncommon approach to feeding many puppies. Many owners do not want the bother of calculating feeding amounts on such regular basis, but in many cases it can be a valuable step towards a healthier puppy.

Regardless of a food’s nutrient profile and how it is fed, the ultimate measurement of appropriate intake is the physical condition of the puppy. The ribs should be palpable with a thin layer of fat between the skin and the bone. The bony prominences should be easily felt with a slight amount of overlying fat. Animals over six months of age should have a pronounced abdominal truck when viewed from the side and a well-proportioned lumbar waist when viewed from above.

Nutritional management alone will not control developmental bone diseases since they are multi-factorial and include the dog’s genetic make-up. However, skeletal diseases can be influenced during growth by feeding technique and nutrient profile. Dietary deficiencies are of minimal concern now that most dogs consume commercial foods specifically prepared for young, growing dogs. The potential harm comes from over- nutrition – from excess consumption and over-supplementation. It is not only important to feed the appropriate food, but to feed the food appropriately.