Your Dog's Good Health Starts with Good Nutrition

Your Dog's Good Health Starts with Good Nutrition
Good health starts with good nutrition. It helps dogs fight
disease, grow correctly, and age gracefully. Giving your
puppy or adult dog the correct dog food in the correct
amounts makes for a happier, healthier pet.

Dogs need different diets as they age. Puppies usually
require larger amounts of protein, fat and carbohydrates
than an adult dog. Their bodies are going through
tremendous growth in a short amount of time and so dog food
rich in these items are very important.

However, different dog breeds require different amounts of
calcium, protein, and fat. It's been found that puppies of
larger breeds need less protein and grow at a healthier
rate on adult dog food because it doesn't promote the fast
growth that puppy food does.

Dog breeds such as Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds and Saint
Bernards can grow at phenomenal rates, some gaining 100
pounds in months. When bones grow too fast they become less
dense and more porous, leaving the dog more vulnerable to
degenerative conditions.

In some areas puppy food is available specifically for
different breed sizes. It's recommended that owners talk to
their vet about what dog food is best for their puppy.

Feeding schedules are different for the age and the size of
the animal. Small-breed puppies such as Yorkies and
Chihuahuas may not get the energy they need unless they are
fed 3-4 times a day for the first few months.

There are special formulas for small breeds. They typically
come in smaller kibble so it's easier for the dog to eat,
as well as being higher in nutrition so the dog gets the
necessary energy they need for their higher metabolism.

Extra calories are needed by dog athletes and working dogs
to provide the energy they need each day. There are
custom-made formulas that contain a high percentage of
calories from protein and fat.

Elderly dogs have completely different needs than puppies,
younger dogs and working dogs. They need less protein while
at the same time the protein needs to be easily assimilated
into the body and easily digestible. Too much protein can
lead to burdening the renal structures and may damage the
kidneys.

Arthritis, heart disease and other age-related conditions
could mean less exercise and so less food. However, senior
dogs that remain active, have a healthy weight, and are
free from serious health problems don't necessarily need a
senior diet.

Some senior diets have reduced protein levels. But healthy
seniors need sufficient protein to help maintain muscle
mass. Owners need to check with their dog's vet to
determine the best formula and the correct amount for their
elderly dog.

A stage that some female dogs go through is the pregnancy
stage. This requires a different diet and schedule. Females
in the pregnancy stage require a balanced nutrition with
proper supplementation of vitamins and minerals.

Later, when they are nursing the puppies, they need enough
calcium so the bones of the puppies will be strong.

As your dog advances through each stage it's necessary to
check how your dog is doing. If there is a change in
weight, mobility, coat quality, or any other health aspect
in your dog you need to discuss it with your vet. It is
possible that your dog needs a change in diet.


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Carol Stack enjoys writing articles about dogs. She lives
with her husband, children, four dogs and seven cats in the
United States. Carol and her daughter Christy are working
on a web site, http://www.christysdogportal.com where you
can get more information about taking care of your dog.

The Editor and founder of this blog is Barrie Segal is the founder of the AppealNow.com™ website at http://www.appealnow.com. He is also the founder of http://www.nowdatarescue.com/ , http://www.nowdatarescue.com , http://www.weddinginfoforyou.com/- http://animalsnow.com