Puppies grow so fast, changing before your eyes, but in order for them to reach optimum well-being as an adult dog, they need just the right amount of quality nutrients each day. Here are the goodies to look our for when studying the ingredients in your dog’s food…
Carbohydrates are an excellent source of energy as well as providing fibre. Dietary fibre supports gastrointestinal health and helps make your dog feel full.
brown rice
High in fibre & a great source of manganese & magnesium
peas
Full of protein & fibre
butternut squash
Provides fibre, potassium & vitamins A & C
carrots
A powerful antioxidant with beta carotene & vitamin A
white potato
Great grain-free source of energy
sweet potato
Brimming with vitamins A, B6 & C
Feeding lots of treats (especially human food) can unbalance the diet and lead to serious health problems such as poor bone growth and obesity. Healthy dog treats can be great training tools but remember that their calories add to your dog’s daily quota. One way to ensure that you don’t overfeed is to measure out your dog’s food at the beginning of the day and then set aside a portion of this for use as treats.
DR CARRI WESTGARTH
Puppies need lots of protein in order to build the new tissues associated with growth. Choosing a high quality protein will help supply the essential amino acids used to produce vital enzymes, hormones and antibodies.
beef
Highly nutritious protein packed with essential minerals
duck
Easy to digest and good source of vitamins A & B3
ocean fish
A powerhouse of natural oils and vitamins
chicken
Excellent easily-digestible source of protein
turkey
High in phosphorus - essential for healthy bones
lamb
Contains essential amino acids, zinc & omega-6 fatty acids
salmon
Rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which has been associated with increased learning ability in puppies. Great sources are chicken or salmon
what did our national survey of puppy owners uncover?
39% of puppy owners surveyed wished they’d known more about how to care for a puppy before they’d got one
Italy