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Food For Different Stages of Your Dog’s Life

Your dog has different nutritional needs during different stages of his or her life. Fortunately, there are now varieties of foods in pet stores available to accommodate those needs.

Puppies

When you own a puppy, he or she needs food made specifically to support growth and development that contain higher levels of protein, fat, calcium and sodium. Your puppy should eat these types of foods until about 12 months of age or when he or she has reached about 90 percent of their adult size, when they can be switched over to foods designated for “adult maintenance.” The breed and size of your dog may also influence necessary nutrition, so be sure to ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Adult & Senior Dogs

“Adult maintenance” dog foods are an appropriate choice for most adult dogs. However, a pregnant or nursing dog or a dog with certain health conditions may require a different diet. There are also foods classified in the “mature adult” category. It is recommended that smaller breeds make the change to this type of food at around eight years, medium-sized breeds at seven years, large breeds at six years and giant breeds at about five years. Although the differences between adult and senior food are not large, but are still very important. Senior foods contain lower levels of fat to prevent obesity and increased levels of anti-oxidants.

Courtesy of Pet MD

The post Food For Different Stages of Your Dog’s Life appeared first on Metro Vet Chicago.

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