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Puppy Basics: Selecting the Right Food
Puppy Basics: Selecting the Right Food

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Tips on Choosing a Puppy Food

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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.
 

How to choose puppy food?

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:

  • Shiny fur
  • Exceptional muscle tone
  • Improved vision
  • Better digestion
  • Improved bowel movement
  • Pleasant and playful mood
  • Healthy, happy attitude

How to choose the right puppy food brand?

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.

  • Recognised brand: When you buy formulated food for a puppy, always pick well-known brands that do not compromise on quality and quantity. Choosing a well-recognised and established brand that adheres to the law ensures your canine friend gets all the necessary nutrients for its constant and consistent growth.
  • Check the label: Read the product’s name and label to get all the necessary information about its nutritional values. The net product weight and nutrient chart are mentioned on every recognised puppy food brand’s product. Along with checking the nutritional values, you must also look for the manufacturer’s address and contact details. This helps in sending suggestions and grievances directly to the brand. The list of ingredients should be read thoroughly to ensure you do not pick a product with ingredients that do not suit your pooch. The product’s manufacturing and expiry date are also mentioned on the label. Lastly, the label also contains information and directions for feeding your puppy.
  • Ingredients: Puppies need a good source of protein, fibre, and carbohydrates. Puppies need 22 amino acids to produce the right protein needed for their survival. Hence, pet parents have to be very careful and selective when choosing puppy food for their fur babies. Thoroughly going through the list of ingredients allows caregivers to analyse the ingredients and choose the best for their canine buddy. Glancing at the list of ingredients also allows you to avoid products that contain ingredients your puppy is allergic to.

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.
 

Nutrients required by different breed sizes

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.

  • Small breed: This type of breed is smaller in size, which means their anatomy and organs are compact compared to other breeds. However, as these breeds do not grow larger, they mature faster, and hence need more nutrients in their primitive age. Small and toy breed puppies are recommended to feed at least 3 to 4 meals a day to provide all the essential nutrients required for their growth. However, because they have smaller organs, it becomes essential to choose food that can offer more nutrition in a limited quantity.
  • Medium breed: Dogs that are bigger than the toy breed but smaller than giant and large breeds are considered medium-size breeds. You can accomplish a medium size breed’s nutritional quota by offering an adequate animal-based diet. Two meals a day is ideally sufficient for medium-size breeds, provided the food is packed with healthy nutrients required for its growth.
  • Large breed: Contradicting the common belief, this breed does not require more calcium even though it has larger bones. A moderate amount of calcium, phosphorus, and calories are sufficient for a large-breed puppy’s skeleton development. Overfeeding can cause developmental and bone issues in such breeds. Hence, ensuring large breed puppies’ consumption limits while providing them with the right nutrients is essential. You should choose formulas with lesser fat and calories to promote growth in such breeds. Besides, feeding should be limited to 2 to 3 meals per day.

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.
 

Why choose IAMS™ for your puppy?

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.

Frequently asked questions

  1. How do I know what food is best for my puppy?
  2. 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.

  3.  Do puppies need special puppy food?
  4. 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.

  5. What is the healthiest food to feed a puppy?
  6. 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.

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    Vitamins for Dogs - Benefits & Importance

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    Dog multivitamins have become an increasingly popular supplement in pet care, designed to support overall canine health and well-being. Just as humans benefit from a balanced diet, dogs also require essential vitamins and minerals to maintain optimal health. These supplements are formulated to fill potential nutritional gaps in a dog's diet, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for proper growth, immune function, and energy levels. Multivitamins can be particularly beneficial for dogs with specific dietary restrictions, older dogs, or those recovering from illness. However, it is essential for pet parents to consult with veterinarians to determine the appropriate supplement and dosage for their furry companions.


    What are vitamins and multivitamins?

    Vitamins for dogs are essential organic compounds crucial for various physiological functions in both humans and dogs. These micronutrients, including A, B-complex, C, D, and E vitamins, play key roles in immune function, bone health, energy metabolism, and skin maintenance. Multivitamins for dogs consolidate these vital nutrients, providing a comprehensive and balanced nutritional boost to address potential dietary deficiencies.
     

    If you are looking for vitamins for dogs in the Philippines, the IAMS dog supplement range has you covered.  Tailored for canine needs, these supplements are particularly beneficial for dogs with specific health conditions, dietary restrictions, or those requiring additional support for overall well-being.


    Can dogs have multivitamins?

    Yes, multivitamins and vitamins for dogs can prove to be very useful, especially in specific life stages or health situations. While quality dog food is designed to meet most nutritional needs, supplements become more valuable for puppies, seniors, pregnant or lactating females, and dogs with health conditions. These stages are the most crucial and are the best time to give multivitamins to dogs.
     

    Caution is crucial, as human vitamins can be harmful to dogs. Consulting a veterinarian is essential to determine if supplementation is necessary, ensuring the right dosage and nutrient balance. Veterinarians assess the dog's health, diet, and medical history to provide tailored recommendations, enhancing well-being without posing risks. Judicious use of vitamins, under veterinary guidance, can benefit certain canine companions.


    Benefits of vitamins and multivitamins in dogs

    Integrating dog multivitamins into your furry baby’s diet offers a spectrum of benefits. These supplements contribute to enhanced immune function, promoting resilience against illnesses. Additionally, they support healthy skin and coat, minimising issues like dryness and shedding. For puppies, vitamins aid in proper growth and development, while senior dogs may experience increased vitality and joint support. Multivitamins are particularly valuable for dogs with specific health concerns, such as joint problems or allergies. Overall, vitamins for dogs act as nutritional insurance, ensuring that dogs receive the essential elements vital for their overall health and vitality.


    Are vitamins and multivitamins good for dogs?

    When administered thoughtfully and under veterinary guidance, dog multivitamins can prove to be extremely beneficial. While quality dog food provides essential nutrients, supplementation becomes crucial in addressing specific needs or potential deficiencies. However, it is vital to avoid self-prescribing human vitamins, as certain substances can be toxic to dogs. Professional advice ensures that the supplementation is tailored to the dog's unique requirements, promoting overall well-being without adverse effects. Responsible use of vitamins, guided by a veterinarian, can contribute to a dog's health and vitality.          


    Vitamin and minerals supplements and foods rich in vitamins and minerals

    Ensuring your furry friend receives the right balance of vitamins and minerals is crucial for their overall health. While a well-balanced diet is the foundation of canine nutrition, certain situations may call for certain good vitamins for dogs as additional support. This is where vitamin and mineral supplements come into play. Dog multivitamins are specially formulated to address potential nutrient gaps, supporting everything from immune function to bone health.
     

    In addition to supplements, incorporating nutrient-dense foods into your dog's diet is essential. Some of the best dog vitamin sources are:

    • Meat: Lean meats like chicken and turkey provide essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals such as B vitamins, iron, and zinc.

    •  Fish: Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, promoting a healthy coat and supporting cardiovascular health.

    • Vegetables: Dark, leafy greens such as spinach and kale offer vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium and iron.

    •  Fruits: Berries, apples, and bananas are not only tasty treats but also provide vitamins and antioxidants.

    • Dairy: Plain yoghurt and cheese supply calcium and probiotics, benefiting bone health and digestion.

    Balancing your dog's diet with both high-quality dog food and these natural sources can contribute to their overall well-being, reducing the need for excessive reliance on supplements. Always consult with your veterinarian to tailor your dog's nutritional plan based on their specific needs.


    Importance of vitamins and minerals

    Vitamins and minerals are indispensable for a dog's overall health, playing pivotal roles in various physiological processes. These micronutrients act as catalysts for enzymatic reactions, supporting metabolism, growth, and energy production. Calcium and phosphorus, for instance, are crucial for bone health, ensuring proper skeletal development and strength. Iron is essential for oxygen transport in the blood, while zinc promotes skin health and wound healing. These micronutrients collectively contribute to the maintenance of a dog's immune system, vision, and cardiovascular health. Recognising the importance of vitamins and minerals underscores the significance of a well-rounded and nutritionally balanced diet, supplemented as needed, to meet the unique requirements of individual dogs.
     

    The incorporation of vitamins and minerals into a dog's diet through supplements or nutrient-rich foods is a proactive approach to ensuring their overall well-being. While high-quality dog food serves as a foundation, targeted supplementation can address specific needs and contribute to a dog's vitality at different life stages. Consulting with a veterinarian is paramount, as they can provide tailored recommendations based on a dog's health profile. By understanding the benefits and importance of these micronutrients, pet parents can take informed steps to optimise their canine’s nutrition with the best dog multivitamins, supporting a happy, healthy, and thriving life for their furry friends.

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