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Why is proper nutrition important? Nutrition is a key factor in promoting good health, performance, and longevity. It is also an important part of the management of many diseases. Both deficiencies and excesses of certain nutrients can harm your pet’s health. Misinformation about nutrition is widespread, so it is important that you consult with your veterinarian and health care team to determine the best nutrition for your pet. What types of food are available for my pet?Premium Diets are those foods produced from fixed formulas, whose ingredients are not varied according to their cost. These diets are formulated with an emphasis on optimal nutrition for health and maintenance, longevity, performance, and the prevention of nutritional diseases. These foods are formulated for the specific life stages of your pet. Because these diets are higher in nutrient density and availability, less food needs to be fed, which offsets their higher costs. Stool volume is often decreased as well. Science Diet is an example of a premium diet. Generic Brands are those that are produced locally and consist of the least expensive ingredients available. Manufacturers of these products may or may not have formulated the product to meet the animals needs, or considered the potential detrimental effects of nutrient excesses or toxic substances that may be present. Generic brands are the least expensive and poorest quality types of commercially produced pet foods and are not recommended for your pet. Examples of generic diets include store-brand foods. Popular Brands are those marketed nationally in grocery or feed stores. These diets are variable formula diets whose ingredients vary according to availability and cost. Unless carefully controlled, these variable ingredients can have adverse effects on the quality of the food. These diets are formulated with an emphasis on palatability and cost rather than meeting the optimal nutritional needs of your pet. Some examples of popular brand diets are Purina, Cycle, Alpo, and Friskies. What should I feed my puppy?Feed a diet formulated to meet your dog’s specific needs. Not all dogs are the same. Consult with us about your pet’s nutritional needs so that we may determine which diet is best for your puppy’s growth and development. In general, as long as you are feeding a high quality diet, extra vitamins and minerals are not recommended and can actually be bad for your puppy. This is especially true for large-breed dogs which may be genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia. When these puppies are fed diets with excessive proteins and vitamins, their exaggerated growth rate can produce abnormal forces which lead to more severe dysplasia. Specific foods are produced to pace the growth of these puppies. Examples include Science Diet Large Breed Puppy. How much and how often should I feed my puppy?Feeding guides should only be used as starting points. The amount you feed should be adjusted to maintain optimum body weight. Your pet is at optimum weight when the ribs cannot be seen, but can be easily felt without feeling a thick layer of fat. Puppy stomachs are small and cannot hold much food at one time, so it is best to feed them 3 or more times a day. We recommend feeding time-restricted meals (leave food out for 5-10 minutes) rather than leaving food out all day. This method of feeding will help regulate digestion and will make elimination more regular which is an important aid in house training. Make sure you have fresh water available for your puppy at all times. Treats - should I give them?Treats are helpful in training and fulfill the desire of pet owners to praise, reward and show affection for their dog. But, in many cases they also can lead to unhealthy weight gain and make your pet lose it’s appetite for their recommended diet which can disrupt the balance of proper nutrition. Choose treats that are low in fat and calories as well as nutritionally balanced. Try to keep the number of treats to a minimum. Use love and affection as your primary means of reward rather than treats. Table scraps or snacks are not recommended and can often lead to problems. If they are fed frequently, an unbalanced diet, obesity, finicky eating habits and annoying begging often result. Related Links
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