A Modern Take On Puppy Feeding

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 22:49

Recently, we have learned a lot about the causes of bone abnormalities in young dogs, as well as the prevention of such diseases. Some unconditional requirements for the owners are connected with this:

a) never feed the dog only meat food;

b) avoid an overdose of calcium, vitamins A and D, which can lead to an imbalance in phosphorus-calcium metabolism and cause abnormalities in bone formation at the stage of epiphyseal cartilage growth, curvature of the forelimbs, interfere with the absorption of certain mineral salts, affect the growth of an adult dog, promote the appearance of predisposition to the expansion and volvulus of the stomach (intestines). Undoubtedly, the lack of vitamin and mineral supplements leads to rickets, but recently this disease has been quite rare.

c) The growing dog's diet should have a high energy content and contain at least 29% protein.

The lack of essential amino acids in food harms the harmonious development of the dog's skeleton and muscles, reduces the body's resistance (immunity);

d) do not overfeed; overfeeding a puppy is very harmful, it increases the risk of obesity, negatively affects the dog's growth, development of muscles and bones. Overfeeding leads to an acceleration of the growth rhythm, serious disorders of the skeletal system: osteochondrosis dissecans, incorrect positioning of the forelimbs, subluxation of the elbow joint, hip dysplasia, subsidence of the hock joints.

The purpose of feeding weaned puppies is to achieve the average growth rate of the breed. It is better to underfeed your dog slightly while maintaining a fully balanced diet than to overfeed him. Underfeeding slows down the dog's growth rate slightly, but does not harm it and does not affect the height (height at the withers) of an adult dog.

e) “free” feeding should be avoided.

Although “free” feeding reduces the risk of loss of appetite and also leads to spontaneous establishment of the regimen, it is clear that “free” feeding of the puppy can lead to harmful overfeeding.

Instead of leaving the bowl on the "free access", it is still better to accustom the dog to a clear schedule with clearly dosed portions:

3-4 times a day - from 6 weeks to 3 months;

2-3 times a day - from 3 to 6 months;

2 times a day - from 6 months; each time you feed, the food is left on for no more than 20 minutes.

Ideal puppy feeding. Ideally, the puppy should receive full-fledged high-quality nutrition (mainly in the form of granules), specially designed for the growing organism in the amount necessary for it to maintain the average growth curve of the puppy characteristic of its breed (see diagram) and without any additional mineral and vitamin supplements.

In addition, it was found that during the growth period, rationed feeding with adapted and balanced food promotes proper development, does not have a harmful effect on the growth of an adult dog, does not lead to obesity and skeletal development disorders, which is often found in improperly fed or overfed dogs.

Nutritional dosage for puppies. Professor Wolter, Head of the Department of Feed and Nutrition at the National Veterinary School in Alfort, did a remarkable study that resulted in a practical method for calculating a puppy's diet.

Voltaire took 5 basic methods of feeding puppies as the initial ones, which are most often used in France:

* 3 types of finished products:

- dry, - semi-moist, - wet, * 2 types of home rations:

- wet, - semi-wet (we do not approve of it, but we give its data).

Wet home diet (per 1000 g feed)

minced meat - 315 g

crushed rice (boiled) - 315 g

mixture of green beans and carrots - 315 g

1 tbsp. a spoonful of vegetable oil (sunflower or corn) - 20 g

1 tbsp. spoon of vitamin and mineral mixture - 20 g

1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry yeast - 20 g

Home ration "semi-moist" (per 1000 g of feed)

beef meat - 400 g

cereal flakes or dry rice flour - 300 g

green vegetables - 240 g

1 tbsp. a spoonful of vegetable oil (sunflower or corn) - 20 g

1 tbsp. spoon of vitamin and mineral mixture - 20 g

1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry yeast - 20 g

Professor Voltaire identifies three main feeding periods:

The first period (up to 6 months) is characterized by the maximum growth rate of the Doberman, and therefore, his daily need for food is constantly growing;

The second period (6-16 months) is a period of growth stabilization, but the need for food continues to grow, which ultimately leads to a certain stabilization of general needs;

In the third period (from 16 months), the diet of an adult dog is intended only to meet the daily needs of the dog for food.

Based on these data, Professor Voltaire compiled an excellent normalizing table of rations, which should be used immediately, since it takes into account the age of the puppy and its breed, and, in addition, for the first time, it contains the ration norms in grams (and not in kilocalories of energy received, as it was before) on days, taking into account the selected type of food.

A few tips for caring for orphan puppies or puppies lacking in breast milk:

- such puppies should be kept in a very warm place (the temperature is recommended not lower than +31 degrees C;

- keep them clean;

Read the continuation in the Dobermann magazine 2/1995. From the Le Dobermann magazine of the French Dobermann Club.

Translated by E. Pavlova.

Consultant: Candidate of Biological Sciences T. Mareeva