FEEDING THE GROWING PUPPY
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.
BACKGROUND
