Growth Diet

1
Growth Diet

• The growth period is from weaning until 10-18
  months of age.
• Puppies require 2-3 times the energy until they
  are 50 of adult weight.
• 1.5 times until 80 - 100 of adult weight.
• Overfed puppies are at risk for obesity,
  musculoskeletal disorders, and hip displaysia.
• Diets in puppies can cause malnutrition

2

Increased essential fatty acids are required for
cell membrane formation, eye, and brain
development. Puppy foods should contain a
minimum of 8 fat (DM). No more than 33 fat.
3
Growth diets should contain highly digestible
protein. Growth diets should contain no less
than 22 protein. This aids in the development
of skeletal muscle and bone formation.
4
An increased digestibility combined with and
increased energy density decreases the amount of
food required. Decreasing the amount of food
required decreases the likelihood of digestive
upset (vomiting and diarrhea).
5
A puppy is too small to hold enough stored energy
from a single feeding to provide the daily
requirements. Puppies should be fed 3x per day
(more in the case of toy breeds) Free choice is
not recommended due to obesity risks.
6
How much do I feed?

• Free choice is not recommended due to obesity
  risks.
• Amount to feed can start with package directions,
  weighing, and keeping track of body condition
  score.
• RER can be calculated and then multiply by 2 or
  3, weigh regularly, and keep track of body
  condition score.
• If increased body fat is seen, decrease the
  amount by 10.
• As growth increases, so will the amount fed.

7
Toy breeds are unable to regulate the blood
glucose. Waiting too long between feedings can
cause the glucose to fall dangerously low. As
these small puppies have no reserves to call on
to restore the glucose they will quickly be come
hypoglycemic, causing lethargy, convulsions and
death.
8
What vitamins and minerals should be increased in
the growth diet and why? Homework due at the
beginning of class tomorrow. If you were
creating a growth diet, what vitamins and
minerals would you add more of and why?
9
Adult Canine Nutrition
10
Daily energy requirements are the number of
calories needed to maintain an animals weight.
An increase in exercise, lactation and growth
will increase the number of calories needed.
11

• Dogs are omnivores and opportunistic eaters,
  predators and scavengers.
• Because dogs range in size, age and activity
  level, nutritional energy requirements are
  calculated based on the animals metabolic body
  weight, or the weight of actively metabolizing
  tissue. As discussed earlier, start with the RER
  and multiply the result by various factors to
  account for breed, age, and lifestyle.
• (MER) Continue checking BCS and adjust feeding
  amounts as needed.

12
The amount of food needed to meet the nutritional
requirements is calculated from the energy value
of the food and if treats or table scraps are
fed, their energy content must also be taken in
to account
13
Calculations

• ME 4035 kcal/kg
• 487 kcal/cup
• 1c. 4.26 oz (121g)
• If I have a 31lb. dog, how much food should be
  given each day?
• How much if I am feeding twice a day?

14
Large meals should be avoided in large breed dogs
prior to exercise to minimize the risk of bloat
and gastric torsion.
15
When to change diets

• A healthy adult diet should not be changed unless
  you detect some abnormalities.
• Caution should be used when changing diets due to
  GI upset, potential allergies, and behavior
  issues.
• If a diet is changed, do so gradually over the
  course of several days to a week.

16
Snacks

• Snacks should account for no more than 10 of the
  total caloric intake.
• Caution should be given with human food snacks.
  Over feeding snacks may dilute the balanced diet
  of essential nutrients.
• Potentially toxic foods grapes, raisins,
  onions, chocolate