Strays Anatomy

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.

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To stop puppy biting there are numerous do’s and don’t you want to be aware of. Puppy’s bite for various reasons and despite these reasons there are common things that should never be done, as well as things that should be done to assist in the process of inhibiting your puppy’s biting.

A dog is a man’s best friend and how! Loyal, cute, cuddly and extremely loving, dogs are a delight to have as pets. Pet dogs give us that sense of completion with their unending love that goes unspoken but is felt from the heart. No matter the kind of dog breed, puppies are always adorable and a bundle of joy to have around the house. Mischievous but with a streak of innocence, pups need a whole lot of love and care. For all the dog lovers, let’s take a look at puppy growth and developmental phases.

Puppy Growth and Developmental Phases:
0-2 weeks: This is the time when the tiny pups are completely dependant upon their mother. This is the most exciting time, when they are learning about bonding with their mother and trying to move around on their tiny legs.

2-4 weeks: Even at this stage, the puppy is dependant upon the mother. It’s eyes then open and it’s sense of smell and hearing begin to develop. At this puppy growth phase, they also learn how to stand and walk a little. A tiny woof may also be expressed sometimes when the pup is in a playful mood. By the 4th week or the 5th week, the vision is fully developed for the pup.

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