Puppies require a high-protein diet in order to grow and develop properly, which must include adequate calcium and phosphorous supplements to support their bones.
Puppies require a high intake of fat to supply calories and serve as an absorption method for essential vitamins. An individual nutrition plan can be utilized to determine an accurate number of calories required by your puppy, thus helping prevent overfeeding.
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Protein
Protein is a building block for muscles and plays an integral part in growth and development. Puppies typically need more protein than adults when growing, as well as additional vital nutrients to support their health and immunity.
Animal sources of protein offer the greatest nutrition. This includes lean meats, fish and eggs as well as organs such as heart, liver and kidney which contain beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids. Plant sources also contain some form of protein but these tend to be harder for our bodies to process and aren’t as complete as animal proteins.
Ideal, puppies should receive their protein intake during their first four weeks of life from mother’s milk, then move onto food labeled as “complete and balanced,” which will contain all essential nutrients necessary for growth; including 22-32% protein as recommended in this food’s dry matter content for healthy pups.
Fat
Fats provide your puppy with many important functions: they supply energy, encourage physical development, assist vitamin absorption and hormonal regulation and are an integral component of brain function that allows your pet to think clearly and process information efficiently.
Puppies require a diet with optimal levels of saturated and unsaturated fats as well as Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to develop properly, particularly DHA for brain and eye development.
Good quality healthy fats from sources like chia seeds, flaxseed, walnuts, hempseed and salmon can be added to your puppy’s food to provide essential fatty acids. In fact, KetoPet Sanctuary commonly utilizes higher (healthy) fat diets in cancer diets for pets without evidence of pancreatitis in healthy dogs.
Minerals
Minerals play an integral part in supporting our pet’s metabolism and immune systems, from supporting bone development and red blood cell formation, to helping regulate fluid balance within cells. There are two different categories of minerals: macrominerals (or trace elements).
Most pet parents understand the need for calcium in a puppy’s diet for healthy bones. Unfortunately, not all do; many may not be aware that calcium must be provided in combination with another mineral such as phosphorous in order for its effects to be maximized and avoid hypo-calcemia – low calcium levels which may cause serious health issues, including joint issues and fractures.
Copper can help normalise hair and skin pigmentation, iron helps ensure healthy circulation and metabolism, manganese helps with enzyme function and selenium is essential for maintaining an effective immune system. Trace mineral requirements vary greatly between dogs so it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian about your pet’s specific nutritional requirements.
Vitamins
Vitamins for dogs can provide many health benefits to your pup, such as strengthening his immune system and improving his coat, eyes and brain health. But to ensure optimal outcomes it’s important to work with a veterinarian in determining which supplements will benefit them most – too many vitamins could prove harmful while high dosages of fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin A may even be toxic!
Vitamin D, more commonly referred to as the sunshine vitamin, assists your pet with maintaining balanced minerals such as phosphorous and calcium to ensure healthy bones and muscles. Incorporating fat-soluble vitamins like E into their daily regimen improves cell functions while providing protection from oxidative damage.
Choline and vitamin B6 are vital in aiding immune function, while vitamin C provides powerful antioxidant protection to fight off potentially harmful free radicals, reduce inflammation and avoid cognitive decline in old age. Unfortunately, dogs don’t produce their own vitamins; to ensure their continued wellbeing and happiness throughout their lives. Including dog vitamins in their food diet is key.
