Ensuring your large breed puppy's optimal growth and health is no small feat. Picking the right food directly impacts their development and can and will affect them later in life if the wrong food is fed. This comprehensive guide will discuss the special dietary needs of large-breed puppies and help you navigate the sometimes overwhelming world of large-breed puppy food. Keep reading to learn more about why it is important to feed your large breed dog the appropriate food during its development.
Understanding Large Breed Puppies
Large breed puppies, those that will weigh more than 50 pounds as adults, experience rapid growth stages. Feeding a large breed puppy food for those puppies is very important, as it can help to regulate their growth and development.
The concern of feeding regular puppy food to a large breed puppy is that the bones will grow more quickly than the muscles and tendons can keep up with. This rapid growth can lead to a higher risk of musculoskeletal issues and diseases, such as hip dysplasia, osteochondroses, and hypertrophic osteodystrophy.
Additionally, feeding a puppy diet that is high in calories can increase growth rates and body condition score (BCS), resulting in more weight load on the joints.
Nutritional Requirements of Large Breed Puppies
We know that nutrition during the developmental phase of large-breed puppies can play a significant role in the growth rate and skeletal health.
Three crucial dietary components are closely linked to an elevated risk of skeletal disease in these puppies:
- Energy in the form of calories
- Calcium and Phosphorus levels
- Calcium to phosphorus ratio
Interestingly, the level of dietary protein has also been suggested to impact the occurrence and severity of skeletal disease in growing large-breed puppies. However, controlled research does not provide evidence to support the idea that a high intake of dietary protein is linked to skeletal abnormalities in large-breed puppies.
Unlike dietary protein, however, calcium levels have a profound impact on the development of the bones in large-breed puppies.
When fed a regular puppy diet, large-breed puppies are not able to effectively reduce the absorption of the high levels of calcium in their intestines. This means they are unable to protect themselves from the negative effects of a long-term high intake of dietary calcium. On the other hand, their intestinal calcium absorption increases to over 90% when they consume a low-calcium diet.
The Importance of Large Breed Puppy Food
The main reason for feeding your puppy a large-breed puppy diet is to reduce the incidence of orthopedic, skeletal disease in your dog. Examples of conditions that can occur when a large-breed dog is fed improper nutrition include hip and elbow dysplasia and osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) for example.
Health Benefits of Proper Nutrition
Feeding your large breed puppy the right food doesn’t just satisfy their appetite. It also promotes healthy growth, bone, and joint health. Adequate nutrition supports overall well-being, proper weight management, and the vitality your big pup needs to explore the world.
Incorporating a large breed puppy diet tailored to their nutritional requirements contributes to their happiness and longevity, ensuring a strong foundation for their adult years.
Choosing the Right Large Breed Puppy Food
Findings from ongoing research demonstrate that the optimal nutritional requirements for large-breed puppies can be met by a dietary matrix comprising 30% protein from high-quality, animal-based sources, 9% fat, 0.80% calcium, and 0.67% phosphorus.
With that, choosing the best food for your large breed puppy is a decision that requires careful consideration and often a consultation with your veterinarian. Look for quality ingredients and formulations designed specifically for large-breed nutrition.
Remember, not all large-breed puppy foods are created equal, and what works for one breed may not be suitable for another. Always consult with your veterinarian, someone who knows your puppy's specific needs, to find the best food that supports their growth and development.
How Long Should a Puppy Be Fed A Large-Breed Puppy Diet?
Typically, it is advised to provide "growth" diets to dogs until they reach about 80% of their expected adult size.
For small and medium breeds, this usually happens around 12 months of age, while large and giant breeds reach this stage between 18 to 24 months.
As a result, it is generally recommended to continue feeding growth diets until this period, but going beyond this time frame will not have any negative effects on the dog's health.
By choosing a large breed puppy food designed for their specific requirements, you are giving them the best start in life. Proper nutrition now lays the foundation for a healthy future.
Discuss with your veterinarian the individual needs of your puppy in order to make the best possible choice for their nutrition. They will be able to provide you with the proper advice as to what food would be best for your puppy.