The best foods for each stage of your dog's life

Humans have specific dietary needs depending on a number of factors – and so do dogs. It is vital to provide your furry friend with the right nutrition at every stage of its life. From energetic puppyhood to senior golden ages, your hound needs the right foods to live their happiest, healthiest life.

Puppies

These years are exciting. They are filled with lots of cuddles, potty training and little discoveries. Puppies go through intense growth and development – and they need a diet that can support this. Larger breed puppies need foods that maximise and support the puppy’s growth, and bone and cartilage health. Medium to small breed puppies may need foods with gastrointestinal sensitivity control to support their tummies digest food.

Adult Dogs

This is when your canine companion is in their prime, living their best life. So, they need a diet that is complete and balanced for all that digging, napping and occasional zoomie.

Remember! All dogs are individuals. One diet may suit your friend’s furry friend perfectly – but it may be completely unsuitable for your dog. If you are stuck, consult your vet. Experienced vet, Dr Leigh Davidson (speaking with RSPCA Pet Insurance) suggests the following:

pick human-grade meat. Some pet meat and bone products can contain preservatives that are bad for your dog’s health.
practice excellent food hygiene. Both you and your dog are at risk for contracting food-borne bacterial infections like salmonella, if you don’t.
consult a veterinary nutritionist to formulate a diet for your dog.
avoid cooked bones or toxic substances like onion sauces, but small amounts of boiled chicken or lamb is an option.

Judy Morgan, a holistic veterinarian in new Jersey says highly processed food is just as bad for dogs as it is for people:

Processed food, which are foods that have been cooked at high heat or undergone an extrusion process, will never offer the fresh nutrients that you get from eating fresh food…As with people, when dogs eat highly processed foods, we see an increase in chronic inflammation which can show up as arthritis, chronic elevation of liver enzymes, immune thyroiditis, and inflammatory bowel disease, among others.

Golden Years

Gone are the days of chowing down with vigor. Smaller dogs are considered senior at roughly eight or nine. And bigger canine companions are ‘old’ at around 6 years old.

dog. senior dog under the sun

According to the DogTime website, older dogs are more prone to constipation. So they suggest introducing small amounts of fruits and vegetables to add fiber to your dog’s diet. Thing wheat bran, steamed green beans and cooked pumpkin.

They also suggest adding extra nutrients in the form of supplements. Vitamin E, Omega-6 fatty acids and beta-carotene can help boost an older dog’s immune system. This is the stage of life when dogs often develop arthritis. Vets suggest adding a daily glucosamine-chondroitin supplement to their diet.

As with everything mentioned above, consult with your vet – especially about those special dietary needs. For example, dogs with kidney disease should opt for a low-protein diet.