A dog’s health and happiness rely on the love you give them, exercise, mental stimulation, training, and most importantly, on the food you feed them. For every life stage, your dog must get the right mix and amount of nutrition to ensure they grow healthy and strong.
But not all dog food is created equal and not all of them are appropriate for each life stage. Being aware of their nutritional requirements will help you figure out the right dog food for your best bud, from a pup all the way to a senior dog.
Nutritional Requirements
A dog’s growth, development, and overall health greatly depend on the nutrients they get from their dog food. The following components make up a balanced diet that a dog needs:
- Proteins
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Water
Dry, wet, raw dog food – whatever your preference, it’s important that your dog gets the required nutrition for their age.
Proteins are what provide the essential amino acids that build hair, skin, skin, muscles, ligaments, and cartilage. It also plays a main role in your dog’s hormone production.
Carbohydrates are a dog’s fuel. It gives them the energy to do all their activities in the form of simple sugars, while the more complex ones are broken down further and absorbed by their bodies.
Fats are another source of energy for your dog. But more importantly, fats are what make your dog’s skin and hair healthy.
Vitamins and minerals are abundant and many different kinds benefit your dog. These vitamins and minerals all help in various ways, working together to give them a strong body that functions well.
The combination of these essential nutrients is what your dog needs but the requirements will differ depending on their current life stage. Understanding what this will help you choose the right dog food for their health.
Puppy Growth
This stage is where it all starts. The development of muscles, tissues, organs, bones, and every part of your dog’s body happens here. Getting the right nutrition that nourishes and supports their rapid growth and development is critical and will spell how healthy they’ll be as adults.
From birth up to several weeks, puppies get their nourishment from their mother’s milk. Once weaned, that’s when they can start having puppy food. However, you can’t just get any puppy food. You need to consider other factors like breed and size. This will give you an idea of the nutritional requirements your dog needs.
Small to medium breed dogs grow quickly and can reach their full adult size in less than a year. Larger breeds take more time, needing up to 24 months before reaching maturity. Given their rapid growth and development, puppies have more need for protein, calories, calcium, and phosphorus. In general, they have higher nutritional requirements than adult dogs.
Puppies also tend to eat more, usually up to three times a day once they transition away from their milk. Be careful not to overfeed them though, because obesity has its roots at this stage and it can result in health issues when they become adults. But because every dog is different, feeding recommendations from your vet should be followed.
Here are MDWT’s picks of the Best Dog Food For Puppies.
Peak Adulthood
Adulthood varies depending on the size and breed, but once your puppy reaches adulthood, this is when they can transition to adult dog food. As adults, dogs no longer need the higher nutritional requirements that puppies have. Their food should now help maintain their bodily functions and ensure good health.
Because some breeds are more active than others, they will need more food to fuel their activities. Feeding adult dogs is easier, especially once you’ve established their feeding pattern and habits, with a more balanced and complete dog food will provide all the nutrients they need.
You’ll also feed a higher quantity of food to your adult dog, with large breeds requiring more servings. However, less active dogs should consume fewer calories to prevent obesity. And depending on your dog’s health, your vet may require additional vitamin and mineral supplements to support or augment their nutritional needs.
As your pooch nears its twilight years, they’ll encounter more health issues and there will be specific food that can help with these issues.
Here are MDWT’s picks of the best adult dog food:
The Twilight Years
Dogs reach their senior or twilight years differently depending on the breed. But one thing’s for sure, your dog’s health will change the more they get older. Their bodies will change as well, just like all things that are affected by time. Health issues might abound, including mobility, eyesight, and digestive issues.
As mentioned, certain dog foods are available that will address specific health concerns, like kidney problems or urinary tract infections. Feeding them dog food for those specific functions allows them to heal faster or help their body function properly.
If they don’t suffer from such health concerns, it’s still important to note that senior dogs need fewer calories given their decreased physical activity. Metabolism will also be slower, increasing the possibility of weight gain. But protein will continue to be a critical component of their diets. Senior dogs still need protein to maintain their muscle tonality.
Choosing dog food for your beloved pet needs careful consideration and proper observation of their health and bodily functions. Every dog is different and will have their own habits, food preferences, and health concerns. It’s important to be aware of these when picking the right dog food no matter their life stage.