VMD 513: Pet animal Breeding, Management, Nutrition and Health Care (1+1)

FEEDING MANAGEMENT DURING GROWING STAGE

• Proper feeding of young dogs supports normal muscle and skeletal development and a rate of growth that is typical for the dog’s particular breed. All dogs grow and develop rapidly during the first year of life, but small and toy breeds reach maturity at a younger age than large breeds. 
• The most rapid period of growth for all dogs occurs between 3 and 5 months of age. Overfeeding for maximal growth rate and early maturity should be avoided in all dogs, but is crucial in large- and giant-breed puppies. 
• Growing dogs have a very steep growth curve, and their total daily energy needs do increase as they grow. The amount of food that is fed should be adjusted in response to a weekly or biweekly assessment of the dog’s body condition and weight. 
• A dog that is too thin has easily palpable ribs with little or no overlying fat layer. The tail base may be prominent, and the overhead profile will be an exaggerated hourglass. A dog that is overweight has a moderate to heavy layer of fat overlying the ribs. 
• In very overweight puppies, the ribs may be difficult to even feel. There may be a thickening around the base of the dog’s tail due to fat stored in that area. 
• Overweight dogs that are older than 6 months lose their abdominal tuck and may show abdominal distention. 
• Growing dogs that are at their ideal weight have ribs that are easily palpable with just a thin layer of overlying fat. The bony prominences of the hips are easily felt but not Prominent.
• Portion-controlled feeding is the recommended feeding regimen for growing dogs. A puppy’s daily portion of food should be divided into at least two but preferably three meals per day until the puppy is 4 to 6 months of age. After 6 months, two meals per day can be fed. 
• Some large and giant breeds of dogs may benefit from three or more feedings per day as a precaution against the development of gastric dilatation-volvulus. Free-choice feeding is not recommended for growing dogs because this type of feeding regimen makes it difficult to monitor and control weight gain and growth rate and has been associated with a greater incidence of developmental bone disease.
• If a pet owner eventually wishes to switch a dog to a free-choice regimen, this should be done only after the dog has achieved mature size.

Practical feeding tips

• Feed a highly digestible, nutrient-dense food formulated for growth.
• Meal-feed using a portion-controlled regimen.
• Feed three to four meals per day until 4 to 6 months of age; feed two or more meals per day after 6 months.
• Feed to achieve an average rate of growth for a pet’s breed and to support a lean body condition.
• Avoid overfeeding to promote maximal growth rate.
• Energy density and calcium should be carefully controlled in foods selected for large- and giant-breed puppies.
• Provide regular daily exercise.
• Do not add nutrient supplements to a pet’s balanced diet.