There are lots of different diets available for our pets, from puppyhood to adulthood. While it’s important to feed your pet a balanced diet their entire lives, a balanced, nutritional diet is especially important for young animals. Puppies and kittens have specific nutritional needs as compared to their adult counterparts. Young dogs, in particular, can be affected by their puppyhood diets long after they have grown into adults.
There are many different opinions on what is the best food to feed growing dogs. It is always best to discuss the nutritional needs of your pet with your veterinarian. In general, a reputable commercial pet food company will have good options for your puppy or kitten. Most companies have size-specific formulations for dogs, which include small, medium and large breed options. Always look for the “complete and balanced” label on the food packaging, as these claims are monitored by state and federal agencies for accuracy. If your puppy is receiving such a balanced diet, vitamins or supplements should not be necessary, unless specifically recommended by your veterinarian. These types of additives can sometimes cause developmental problems and orthopedic issues. Large and giant breed dogs, particularly, can be affected by diet as they grow. It is important to feed your large or giant breed puppy a diet specifically formulated for a large or giant breed. Feeding adult food, “regular” puppy food, or some homemade diets can cause serious problems with the puppy’s bones and joints. Conversely, feeding a large or giant breed puppy too much food or too many treats can be detrimental to the puppy’s growth and cause problems as they grow. Treats and overfeeding can inflate the amount of nutrients your puppy ingests, and too much calcium, for example, is not good for growing dogs. Treats should never consist of more than 10% of your pet’s diet. Typically feeding your puppy measured meals versus free-feeding is best to monitor your puppy’s nutritional intake and allow optimal energy and nutrition to grow.
Homemade, organic, or “raw” diets can be a good option for some pets, however, be cautious when feeding your puppy such diets, as a puppy’s dietary needs are different from adult dogs, and it can be difficult to achieve a complete and balanced diet suitable for puppies with a homemade, organic or raw diet. If you are interested this type of diet for your puppy, check with your family veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist – it may be more beneficial for you to wait until your puppy has reached adulthood before introducing this type of food. Always remember that raw meats can carry parasites and/or bacteria, and check with your family veterinarian before feeding your puppy or kitten any new foods.
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