A nutritionally balanced diet is essential for your puppy, to build his body and keep it functioning throughout his growth. Delphine Raimond
To support its healthy development and immune system, your baby dog’s diet – different from that of adults – must contain calcium, phosphorus, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. “Growing puppies need more digestible protein,” explains Yusufi Rahimbaccus, Technical and Commercial Manager at LFL (Livestock Feed Ltd), before adding: “Good-quality fats provide the energy needed for puppy activity, while calcium helps bone growth. Essential fatty acids (omega 3 and omega 6) are found in fish oils. While it’s not necessary to vary your pet’s diet, it is essential that it be adapted to the size of its mouth and its dental structure. On the subject of toxic foods, ban those too rich in sugar and fat, as well as chocolate, onions and garlic, which are completely undigested by our pooches. Also, cooked bones that have become crumbly are a danger of intestinal perforation!
Did you know?
Each breed of dog reaches adulthood at a different age: the smaller the dog, the slower the growth phase. A giant breed (40 kg and over) will reach adulthood between 2 and 3 years of age, while a large breed (20 to 39 kg) will do so as early as 2 years of age. A medium breed (10 to 19 kg) takes 12 to 18 months to reach adulthood, while a small breed (under 10 kg) takes 9 to 12 months.