The Way to an Animals Heart: Distinction
Dog:
Young: A young puppy will be weaned from birth until around the 8-week mark. Once
weaning is over the puppy will need to be fed frequent meals, of which need to be soft
enough for the dog to consume, as teeth have not yet come through. The puppy should be
fed ‘ad libitum’ (as much and as often as desired), as energy requirements are high at such a
young age, energy supports them during exercise but also whilst growing. Finding food with
good vitamin and mineral content is important as the vitamins and minerals help with good
immune system support. You also need to make sure there is a good amount of fat within
your puppy’s diet as it helps with vitamin absorption and energy levels. Highly digestible
carbohydrates e.g. potato, corn, oats are also important as they are used for a slow release
of energy. It’s extremely important to clean food utensils and make sure food is fresh and
within best before date to prevent your dog from catching any illness.
Adult: An adult dog should be fed approximately 2-3 meals a day as they are not constantly
using up energy to grow compared to the puppy stage and energy is mostly used for
exercise. However, these 2-3 meals should contain a high amount of good quality protein as
it leaves them feeling full for longer and helps maintain muscle mass, and you will need to
reduce the amount of carbohydrate and fat.
Pregnant: A pregnant dog needs to be on a diet that has been gradually increased from
contraception. This diet needs to be high in carbohydrates, and good quality protein so the
dog does not constantly feel the need to eat, otherwise the food would take up too much
space inside the digestive system and ultimately cause the dog to regurgitate due to lack of
space to store said food. The diet also needs to be high in calcium to help the litters bones
grow and needs to include vitamins and minerals to encourage good immunity support.
Nursing: A nursing dogs diet needs to be high in calcium, so the calcium passes into the milk
that the puppies will drink, this will help with puppy bone development. This diet also needs
to be high in carbohydrates and fat and B vitamins to help the mother use up energy. A high
intake of liquid is needed to make milk. Vitamin C is needed to boost the immune system
and help cope with the stress. Vitamin A is also needed to keep the mother’s immune
system and internal lining of her mammary glands healthy.
Elderly: An elderly dogs diet should be highly digestible and soft enough to chew. It is best to
serve the food at room temperature or slightly warm to increase the smell. Fatty acids can
help maintain healthy joints. Feeding little and often is useful as they do not require as much
energy at this life stage and their digestive systems are delicate.
This animal must have fresh, clean water in a plastic bottle at all times.
Dog:
Young: A young puppy will be weaned from birth until around the 8-week mark. Once
weaning is over the puppy will need to be fed frequent meals, of which need to be soft
enough for the dog to consume, as teeth have not yet come through. The puppy should be
fed ‘ad libitum’ (as much and as often as desired), as energy requirements are high at such a
young age, energy supports them during exercise but also whilst growing. Finding food with
good vitamin and mineral content is important as the vitamins and minerals help with good
immune system support. You also need to make sure there is a good amount of fat within
your puppy’s diet as it helps with vitamin absorption and energy levels. Highly digestible
carbohydrates e.g. potato, corn, oats are also important as they are used for a slow release
of energy. It’s extremely important to clean food utensils and make sure food is fresh and
within best before date to prevent your dog from catching any illness.
Adult: An adult dog should be fed approximately 2-3 meals a day as they are not constantly
using up energy to grow compared to the puppy stage and energy is mostly used for
exercise. However, these 2-3 meals should contain a high amount of good quality protein as
it leaves them feeling full for longer and helps maintain muscle mass, and you will need to
reduce the amount of carbohydrate and fat.
Pregnant: A pregnant dog needs to be on a diet that has been gradually increased from
contraception. This diet needs to be high in carbohydrates, and good quality protein so the
dog does not constantly feel the need to eat, otherwise the food would take up too much
space inside the digestive system and ultimately cause the dog to regurgitate due to lack of
space to store said food. The diet also needs to be high in calcium to help the litters bones
grow and needs to include vitamins and minerals to encourage good immunity support.
Nursing: A nursing dogs diet needs to be high in calcium, so the calcium passes into the milk
that the puppies will drink, this will help with puppy bone development. This diet also needs
to be high in carbohydrates and fat and B vitamins to help the mother use up energy. A high
intake of liquid is needed to make milk. Vitamin C is needed to boost the immune system
and help cope with the stress. Vitamin A is also needed to keep the mother’s immune
system and internal lining of her mammary glands healthy.
Elderly: An elderly dogs diet should be highly digestible and soft enough to chew. It is best to
serve the food at room temperature or slightly warm to increase the smell. Fatty acids can
help maintain healthy joints. Feeding little and often is useful as they do not require as much
energy at this life stage and their digestive systems are delicate.
This animal must have fresh, clean water in a plastic bottle at all times.
