Which kinds of dogs is this puppy food suitable for?
Our wet food for puppies consists of lots of fresh lean meat, healthy vegetables, fruit and herbs, and several natural food additives (montmorillonite clay, seaweed, brewer’s yeast, bee pollen, rosehip). An increased amount of oyster shell supplies plenty of calcium and the diatomaceous earth they contain is known for its supportive effect on the growth of joints and tendons, as well as the deposition of natural calcium in the bones. The gluten-free pseudocereal content is low at five per cent maximum in order to avoid strain on the small gastrointestinal tract. The puppy food is suitable for puppies and young dogs up to one year old.
What should I look out for in a healthy diet for puppies?
The foundations for a healthy dog’s life are laid in the first few months of its life. During this period, the body easily develops food intolerances. It is therefore important to feed them on naturalistic, high-quality food which is appropriate for the breed from day one.
Puppies do not have fully developed and mature digestive organs yet – their stomach and intestines have not reached adult capacity yet. This must also be taken into account when feeding puppies: small, warm portions distributed throughout the day are easier to digest and make the transition from breast milk to their own food bowl easier.
The following applies:
– up to 6 months old: 3-4 meals per day
– from 6 months old: 2-3 meals per day
At around 12-16 months old (depending on their stage of development), you can then switch to a food for adult dogs – such as the Classic or grain-free range from Terra Canis.
Should my dog be given a food supplement in addition to the puppy food?
Whether it makes sense to supplement the puppy’s wet food can be analysed using this small “stocktake”: Is my puppy likely to grow into a big dog that is possibly predestined to have joint problems or arthrosis? Are there any breed-specific/genetic dispositions that require preventive treatment? Does my puppy already tend to have a lot of chubby fat? Do I want or need to support my dog’s immune system in specific situations? Could its coat do with being more shiny? Do I have a sensitive dog with nervous digestion? Does my puppy come from a bad home or has it been ill for a long time? Or do I simply want to do something good for them every day and give them an extra boost?
This small stocktake will help make you aware of what the supplement in the bowl is actually being chosen for and which form of support makes the most sense for your puppy. The aim of supplementing the dog’s meals is always to improve the metabolism, supply vital nutrients and replenish valuable vitamins – regardless of whether the aim is to alleviate specific symptoms or to provide general preventive care. It goes without saying that nutritional supplements are never a substitute for veterinary treatment, if this is necessary.
The Terra Canis puppy menus are all designed as complete feeds, which means they cover all the nutrients required for a puppy’s daily needs. If you want to add something good to your puppy’s bowl, you are welcome to add a supplement, for example in the form of a valuable oil. Caution is advised with additional calcium, as too much can cause an imbalance in the ratio of calcium to phosphorus, which has a negative effect on the puppy’s bone health. A lot does not always help a lot, but may also have negative health effects for the puppy.
Why shouldn’t a puppy be given food for adult dogs?
A specially adapted puppy diet guarantees that all a puppy’s special requirements for healthy growth are met. Calcium, phosphorus and trace elements such as iron and zinc play a particularly important role here. To cover the increased requirements during their growing phase, a puppy must be provided with food that is tailored to these requirements in order to avoid supplying the puppy with not enough, too many or in fact the wrong nutrients. Malnutrition and obesity in puppyhood may be a contributory factor to chronic diseases later on.
From what age can my puppy be given food for adult dogs?
Depending on its adult size, a dog is fully grown at 10-24 months old. While small breeds reach their adult size the fastest (10-12 months), giant breeds grow until they are 2 years old.
They grow in height on their long tubular bones, such as the femur. At the ends of these are what are known as growth plates, where the bone mass grows to its genetically determined length. The dog’s genes always determine its adult size. The misconception that a generous diet will make a Great Dane shoot up a bit more is simply wrong and, above all, dangerous for bone health!
Once the predetermined size has been reached, the growth plates close. When they close varies from bone to bone and from dog to dog. A dog’s growth follows a growth curve that depends individually on their breed, sex and feeding. If an owner feeds its dog very excessively, they can artificially alter the growth curve, which may have negative consequences for the dog. It is very important to adhere to the natural growth curve so that the musculoskeletal system is not put under too much strain at any time. Up to 6 months old, the natural course of the curve is particularly steep – in other words, the dog visibly grows fast. From 6 months old, its growth slows down noticeably and the curve flattens out. Once the adult size has been reached, the growth plates close and the bone can then bear its full weight.
We recommend switching to a food for adult dogs from twelve months old. You can choose between the different ranges for adult dogs in the Terra Canis assortment: Classic, grain-free or our easily digestible Sensitive range are just a few examples from our large wet food range.