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Puppy Growth and Exercise
Giant breed puppies reach half their adult weight at 5 months and gain 2cm every fortnight from 2 to 8 months. Growth continues until 18-24 months, with birth weight increasing 80-100 times. Weaning is crucial for their rapid growth stages. From 8 months, muscle development becomes slower. Nutrition is key to preventing rapid growth and overweight. A diet with moderate fat and energy levels is recommended. Nutrients for bones, joints, and immune defenses are essential. The skeletal system is at risk until 8 months when growth plates start closing. By 18 months, 90% of their adult size is reached. It is important to adapt their diet and monitor their growth to ensure a healthy development without excess weight or health risks.
Observing wolves has led to the realization that hip dysplasia is not present in their population due to various factors. Wolf cubs are kept in a confined space with soft, sandy ground during their early weeks, preventing stress on their limbs. Their diet, predominantly consisting of breast milk, limits excess weight gain.
Even after weaning, food availability remains restricted as they rely on the mother and others for sustenance. Additionally, hierarchical feeding structures dictate when they can eat, further regulating their consumption. Limited exercise space and strict supervision contribute to controlled activity levels. Wolves prioritize rest and social interaction over constant movement. This natural behavior highlights the importance of mimicking healthy and functional traits in domestic dogs. Those who fail to do so are likely making excuses to hide their negligence. Encouraging natural movement and allowing dogs to regulate their own pace can promote better overall health and well-being.
Iron deficiency effects dogs.
Nutritional anemias are common in domestic animals due to improper feeding habits. Biodog emphasizes the importance of biologically correct nutrition for pets. Anemias such as PEM, vitamin A deficiency, and IDD are prevalent in dogs, often caused by iron deficiency. Other nutrient deficiencies like folates, B12, protein, and vitamins A, E, copper, and pyridoxine can also lead to anemia. Various types of anemia in dogs may be caused by different factors, including genetics and diseases like leishmaniasis. Anemia results in low hemoglobin levels in red blood cells, affecting oxygen transport in the body. Iron, found in meat like horse meat, is crucial for red blood cell production. Iron deficiency is a common issue in dogs, even with adequate dietary iron levels. Factors like iron absorption and parasitic infections can affect iron levels in dogs. Proper nutrition is essential to prevent and treat canine anemias caused by nutrient deficiencies.
Nutritional anemias have historically been overlooked and undiagnosed due to lack of veterinary checks by owners. Symptoms are less obvious compared to severe conditions, leading to underestimation of their impact. However, iron deficiency in dogs can result in decreased learning ability, behavior abnormalities, and reduced strength for intense activities. Iron absorption is influenced by various food substances, and horse meat is recommended for its high iron content and fast absorption. Dogs store iron in the body, mainly in hemoglobin and ferritin, and need adequate protein, minerals, and vitamins for red blood cell production. Deficiencies in these nutrients can lead to abnormal red blood cell formation. Vitamin A supplementation during pregnancy can improve hemoglobin levels. Overall, proper nutrition, including horse meat, is essential for preventing and treating nutritional anemias in dogs and ensuring the healthy production of red blood cells.
Iron deficiency is a significant cause of nutritional anemia in dogs, with heme iron from animal sources being well absorbed, while non-heme iron from plant sources is poorly absorbed. Factors such as the type of iron in the diet, iron needs of the dog, and iron losses also play a role in anemia development. Dogs generally absorb only about 10 percent of the iron in their food. Pregnant and lactating females, as well as growing puppies, have higher iron needs. It is not advisable to feed dogs commercial meals with vegetable bases, as phytates and phosphates found in these foods inhibit iron absorption. Including vitamin C-rich foods in the diet can improve iron absorption. Puppies have high hemoglobin levels at birth, but iron stores are used up during the first few months of life. An iron-deficient mother can affect the puppy’s iron supply, making them more susceptible to anemia. Ensuring puppies have a diet rich in iron sources like horsemeat or fish is important after six months of age.
Many people trust commercial pet food to provide the right balance of nutrients for their dogs, but this is a mistake. Most commercial dog foods contain non-heme iron from cheaper ingredients like rice and corn, leading to an unbalanced diet. It is important to understand that the body loses iron when it loses blood, such as during menstruation, childbirth, or due to health conditions like ulcers or wounds. This means that even if a dog is consuming iron through their food, they may still be deficient in this essential nutrient. It is crucial for pet owners to be aware of the potential deficiencies in commercial pet foods and to consider supplementing their dog’s diet with natural sources of iron to ensure they are receiving a truly balanced diet.
Vit D
Vitamin D is crucial for dogs to regulate calcium and phosphorus levels, but excessive amounts can be harmful. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, excess vitamin D is stored in fat tissue and can lead to kidney failure and death. Dogs can consume too much vitamin D from pet food, supplements, or rodenticides containing cholecalciferol. Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity include vomiting, increased thirst and urination, drooling, and weight loss. Immediate veterinary care is necessary if toxicity is suspected. Diagnosis involves evaluating symptoms, dietary intake, and blood or urine tests. Treatment aims to remove the source of excess vitamin D and flush it from the body. This may involve changing the diet, medication, or ongoing monitoring of calcium and phosphorus levels. With prompt intervention, cases of vitamin D toxicity can be resolved within weeks to months. Veterinarians play a key role in assessing each individual case and determining the best course of action.
Dog owners should be vigilant for signs of vitamin D toxicity in their pets, such as vomiting, loss of appetite, increased thirst, and weight loss, and contact a veterinarian immediately if symptoms are present. Providing a detailed diet history, including photos of the pet food label with the lot number, can help identify the source of the issue and prevent other animals from getting sick. Suspected cases can be reported to the FDA electronically or by calling Consumer Complaint Coordinators, with the inclusion of medical records for a comprehensive report. It is advisable to save the original food packaging for potential testing, and if not required, to dispose of the products safely. Veterinarians are encouraged to request diet histories from clients and be aware of the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity, reporting confirmed cases to the FDA and advising against feeding potentially contaminated food to any animals. The importance of retaining leftover food for testing or disposal in a secure manner is emphasized to prevent further harm to pets and wildlife.
The FDA allows reports to be submitted via the Safety Reporting Portal or by contacting local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. When using the portal, individuals should select “A private citizen/business submitting a voluntary report” for veterinary submissions. In late 2018, reports of vitamin D toxicity in dogs led to recalls of various dry dog food brands from a common manufacturer. In early 2019, a report of vitamin D toxicity in a dog eating canned Hill’s dog food prompted a recall. Hill’s later expanded the recall to include more products. This recall did not impact cat food, dry food, or treats. Following investigations, FDA issued warning letters to Sunshine Mills Inc. and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. In 2023, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company recalled certain lots of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EL due to confirmed cases of dogs experiencing vitamin D toxicity. Both dogs recovered after discontinuing the diet.
Proteins
To improve your dog’s diet and provide more protein, consider incorporating real foods like eggs, fish, meat, and cheese. Eggs are a complete protein source with essential amino acids, ideal for providing energy and strength. Fish, rich in Omega-3, can help with skin and hair health. Meat, preferred by dogs as carnivores, like beef, chicken, turkey, duck, or lamb, is beneficial in many ways. Cheese can be a source of fat but should be given sparingly to avoid issues in lactose intolerant dogs. It is important to remember that a balanced diet is essential for dogs, including ingredients like potatoes, rice, sunflower oil, oatmeal, yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Recipes can be created to ensure your dog receives proper nutrition for muscle growth, but exercise is also crucial to achieve optimal health.
There are four protein-rich foods that dogs can benefit from: eggs, fish, meat, and cheese. Eggs are a complete protein source with essential amino acids that are easy to digest and provide energy. Fish is rich in Omega-3 and can help with skin and hair problems. Meat, such as beef, chicken, turkey, duck, or lamb, is a natural preference for dogs as carnivores. Cheese can be a good source of fat but should be given in moderation, especially for lactose-intolerant dogs. In addition to protein, dogs need a balanced diet with other ingredients like potatoes, rice, sunflower oil, oats, yoghurt, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. It is important to consider the quality and quantity of protein based on the age and needs of the dog, with puppies requiring more protein for growth than older dogs. Adjusting the diet to include a variety of protein-rich foods and other essential nutrients will result in a healthier and more balanced diet for dogs.