Many pet owners still believe a roly poly puppy is a healthy puppy. We need to set that old thinking aside if we're going to help large and giant breed dogs live longer, healthier lives.
Optimal growth for a large or giant breed puppy is very different from maximum growth. Optimal (the best kind of) growth for these pups means controlled growth - it does not mean growing very big, very fast.
Serious, debilitating, sometimes crippling health problems develop in large puppies whose bodies grow too fast - problems of the bones, joints, tendons, muscles and nerves.
Diets for large and giant breed pups should not encourage rapid growth. Excess mineral content and excess calories, not protein, are the culprits in rapid growth puppy foods.
Feed your large or giant breed puppy a portion-controlled, balanced, species-appropriate diet - either homemade or an excellent commercially available formula. If you feed kibble, feed either a food specifically for large-breed puppies, or one that is "Approved for all life stages."
Read the complete article: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/09/slow-growth-diets-for-giant-breed-puppy.aspx
Optimal growth for a large or giant breed puppy is very different from maximum growth. Optimal (the best kind of) growth for these pups means controlled growth - it does not mean growing very big, very fast.
Serious, debilitating, sometimes crippling health problems develop in large puppies whose bodies grow too fast - problems of the bones, joints, tendons, muscles and nerves.
Diets for large and giant breed pups should not encourage rapid growth. Excess mineral content and excess calories, not protein, are the culprits in rapid growth puppy foods.
Feed your large or giant breed puppy a portion-controlled, balanced, species-appropriate diet - either homemade or an excellent commercially available formula. If you feed kibble, feed either a food specifically for large-breed puppies, or one that is "Approved for all life stages."
Read the complete article: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/04/09/slow-growth-diets-for-giant-breed-puppy.aspx
LINK | 5 Star Food | Raw Food Books | Commercial Raw Food | Weight Chart |
Mentioned in this video
