Dogs need a well-balanced meal for their adequate growth and development. Different breeds and sizes of dogs require a different amount of nutrients. Puppies are at their growing stage, and hence they require more energy for overall development. Nutrients like fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water help the puppy nourish into a healthy dog. Choosing a puppy food is a crucial decision to make as the type of puppy food you choose directly affects your fur baby’s development in the initial years.
IAMS™ is one of the leading puppy food brands that is known for offering food packed with energy and nutrients to support a puppy’s growing age.
Pet parents often face the dilemma of how to choose puppy food for their fur baby. Puppies often need twice the amount of nutrients compared to an adult dog. While choosing a puppy food, you must look for meal options that are highly digestive and nutrient dense. The food should be packed with vitamins, proteins, fat, and carbohydrates for your puppy’s healthy growth. Some benefits of selecting the right puppy food are:
While home food can be nutritious, it can sometimes not be sufficient for a puppy’s growing body. Hence, pet parents need to depend on formulated puppy food that is packed with the goodness of protein and other essential nutrients to support their fur baby’s growth and development stage. However, how to choose the right puppy food brand amongst so many available options? Read the following to know more.
Moreover, you must also consider your puppy’s breed, size, and weight when confused about how to choose food for the puppy. Smaller breeds of dogs mature faster than larger breeds, this means your puppy’s breed decides how much nutrients it will need for how long. While most puppies can start consuming solid food once they turn 4-weeks old, their transition from puppy food to adult dog food varies depending on their breed, size, and weight. Please consult a vegetarian doctor if you are unsure about your pet’s breed and the amount of nutrients required for its adequate growth.
Different breeds of dogs require a different amount of nutrition for their proper growth and development. Feeding the puppy as per its breed’s requirement ensures that it gets the right amount of nutrients for its physical and psychological growth. Hence, to help you choose the best for your fur baby, we have curated some insights on how much nutrition is required for which breed size.
The physical growth and development of a puppy are at stake during its initial years. Therefore, choosing a diet that meets all its nutritional requirements and provides appropriate nourishment is essential. Caregivers should be mindful of their puppy’s allergies, breed size, and age before selecting a puppy food brand. IAMS offers a wide range of puppy food varieties for different breed sizes based on their nutritional requirements. However, you should consult a vet if you are unsure about your puppy’s nutritional needs and breed.
At IAMS™, we focus on preparing highest-quality food for dogs of all ages and breeds. Our puppy food — IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Starter Mother and Baby Dog – is the ideal pick for your little pooch’s optimal growth and development. Along with being loaded with proteins, vitamins, and minerals, it also contains DHA and colostrum. While DHA ensures healthy cognition for better trainability, colostrum provides essential nutrients that’s only found in the mother dog’s milk. Enriched with best-quality proteins, fibre, and FOS natural prebiotics, IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Starter Mother and Baby Dog ensures healthy muscles as well as digestive system.
Puppies ideally prefer animal-based meals. You can select the best food formula by choosing a puppy food brand that caters to your puppy’s breed size as different breed sizes require a different amount of nutrients for overall development and healthy growth.
Yes, puppies need more energy compared to adult dogs. Hence, they do require special food that can offer twice the amount of nutrients in smaller quantities. Besides, puppies also need to be fed more frequently to support the nutritional requirements for growth and development.
This is subjective to the puppy’s nutritional requirements and allergies. Most puppies rely on animal-based food for their nutritional needs. Nutrient-packed formulas offered by puppy food brands like IAMS are also suggested for providing a well-balanced and nourishing food to your puppy.
It is a sight no dog owner wants to see – your beloved pet heaving and uncomfortable, its body racked with nausea. For many, the sound of a dog vomiting sets off alarm bells. But why do dogs vomit, and what causes an upset stomach in dogs? More importantly, when is a dog's upset stomach merely a passing concern, and when does it indicate a more serious issue? Let's delve into these questions to better understand our four-legged friends' health.
Vomiting in dogs is a common occurrence and can be triggered by various factors. This process involves the forceful ejection of the contents within a dog's stomach or upper intestine. This action is often preceded by signs of nausea, such as drooling, licking lips, and swallowing excessively. Sometimes, the cause of vomiting is fairly benign – your dog may have just eaten too quickly or consumed something that didn't agree with its stomach. In other instances, it could be a sign of something more serious, such as ingestion of a toxic substance or a serious illness.
The reasons behind a dog's upset stomach are varied and can range from mild to severe. Upset stomach, medically termed as gastroenteritis, is caused by inflammation or irritation in the stomach or intestines. This can be triggered by a sudden change in diet, food intolerances, ingestion of foreign substances, bacterial or viral infections, and even serious conditions like pancreatitis or kidney failure.
One common mistake dog parents make is confusing vomiting with regurgitation. When a dog regurgitates, it's typically soon after eating and is a passive process, where undigested food comes up without much effort. On the other hand, vomiting involves active abdominal contractions and results in the expulsion of partially digested food mixed with bile.
Any dog owner knows that an upset stomach can leave their furry friend feeling less than their best. Recognising the signs of an upset stomach can help in providing prompt care and relief for your pet. Typical symptoms include:
More serious signs include:
If your dog appears to be in pain, loses appetite, shows signs of dehydration, has a fever, or exhibits unusual behaviours such as lethargy, restlessness, or shivering, it's a clear indication that something is wrong.
In extreme cases, an upset stomach can result in weight loss and frequent vomiting in dogs, which can be a sign of serious medical conditions such as liver or kidney disease, pancreatitis, or even cancer. It is also important to monitor stress in your dog, as this can often exacerbate or trigger stomach issues.
When it comes to treating a dog's upset stomach, the appropriate treatment will largely depend on the underlying cause. If it's a mild case, such as a dietary change or eating too quickly, simple home remedies might be sufficient. However, if the condition persists or is associated with other serious symptoms, it's essential to consult with a vet.
Some common dog vomiting treatments are:
The best remedies for your dog’s upset stomach are probiotics such as IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Digestive Health Supplement and pumpkin, which can aid digestion. However, it's essential to remember that these are not cures but temporary solutions. If your dog continues to vomit or display signs of an upset stomach, a trip to the vet is necessary.
It's essential to remember that while some instances of dog vomiting or upset stomach can be managed at home, more frequent or severe symptoms necessitate a visit to the vet. Early detection of symptoms can make a significant difference in your dog's health. If your dog vomits multiple times in a day, shows no signs of improvement after 24 hours, or frequently throws up mucus, it's time to take your pet to the vet. The age and overall health of your dog also play a crucial role in this decision.
While home-cooked foods like skinless chicken, boiled potatoes, or rice can be good short-term options for a dog with an upset stomach, they are not nutritionally complete for long-term care. It's also crucial to avoid feeding your dog raw food, which can contain harmful germs like salmonella. Always follow your vet's recommendations to ensure your dog's health and safety.
In addition to following your vet's advice, consider integrating a digestive health supplement into your dog's diet. IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Digestive Health Supplement is a soft, chewable supplement that combines prebiotics and probiotics to regulate your dog's gut health. It contains no artificial colour, flavour, preservatives, or fillers, making it a safe and effective choice for enhancing your dog's digestive health.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments of dog vomiting and upset stomach, and consulting with a vet, when necessary, can help ensure your furry friend's well-being. Remember, their health is in your hands.