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Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
Tips for Caring for Large Dogs

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Tips for Caring for Large Dogs

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Big dogs equal big love

Whether your dog is a big sweetie, a big weirdo or a big athlete, here’s what you need to know about taking care of your big dog.
 

First, all big dogs start out as little dogs. But pretty soon they grow up — and so does their appetite, their toys, their dog bowls, the vet bill and their need for speed.
 

He started to grow.
And pretty soon
he was bigger than
the recliner.

 

Large dogs grow more slowly than smaller ones

Sometimes it can take more than two years for them to reach their full size.
 

And you won’t like to think about it too much, but their life spans are shorter, too: about 10 to 12 years.
 

No wonder
you'll let him push
you off the bed
at night.

 

So remember: Everything in moderation.

If a large dog gets too much food as a pup, they’re at a higher risk of growing too quickly, which can cause joint trouble.
 

For large breeds, being overweight is especially problematic. All that extra weight can be a lot for the joints to carry around.
 

Keep your good old dog healthy by practicing portion control and feeding nutritious food like IAMS™ Mature Adult Large Breed.
 

How will she catch
a screaming
15-mile-an-hour
Frisbee in midair
if she has knee trouble.

 

A word about exercising with a large dog.

Back in the day, large-breed dogs were especially energetic. They were working dogs, herders, hunters, cart pullers and people protectors.

 

Who are we to deny their evolution?

Make sure your dog gets exercise every day.
 

How do you accomplish this? Walk, walk and more walk. And add in some running, jumping, chasing, hiking, fetching, dog-park visiting, swimming and even agility courses.
 

Repeat this mantra:
'I am the alpha.'

 

When it comes to training, think of it this way: The bigger the dog, the harder it is to hide behavior problems. And if you can’t control your super-sized soulmate, they could inadvertently cause damage or hurt someone.

  • Make time for training from day one.
  • Teach easy commands early.
  • Use a firm and confident voice.
  • Keep your dog exercised to fend off boredom-induced behaviors.
  • Reward good behaviors.

 

Living large is all
about biting the
wind and living
that sweet,
sweet life.

Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
Tips for Caring for Large Dogs
  •  A Pet Parent’s Guide To The Best Antioxidants For Dogs
     A Pet Parent’s Guide To The Best Antioxidants For Dogs
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    A Pet Parent’s Guide To The Best Antioxidants For Dogs

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    Antioxidants are chemicals that the body uses to combat free radicals. And free radicals are substances that might harm the body if they exceed a certain level. Antioxidants are also beneficial for your pets, especially your dogs. Your dog needs antioxidants to help promote a healthy immune system. Hence, every IAMS™ dog formula contains optimal levels of these nutrients.

    Antioxidants are naturally occurring essential nutrients that help maintain your dog’s health by slowing the destructive oxidative process of cellular molecules. IAMS™ research has been focusing on advancing antioxidant nutrients for senior dogs — and the benefit is improved immune function. Discover how the antioxidants in IAMS™ products can benefit your dog’s health in a number of ways.

     

    Benefits of antioxidants for dogs

    Antioxidants are found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Common antioxidants include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and certain compounds called carotenoids (like lutein and beta-carotene). When antioxidants are a part of a dog’s complete diet, they can provide the following benefits:

    • Slowing the oxidative process of cellular molecules.
    • Reversing immune-cell function in senior dogs.

     

    How antioxidants work

    As cells function normally in the body, they produce damaged molecules called free radicals. These free radicals are highly unstable and steal components from other cellular molecules such as fat, protein, or DNA, thereby spreading the damage.

     

    This continues in a chain reaction, and causes cells to die. This process is called peroxidation. Peroxidation is useful because it helps the body destroy cells that have outlived their usefulness, and it kills germs and parasites. However, when left unchecked, peroxidation also destroys or damages healthy cells.

     

    Antioxidants help prevent widespread cellular destruction by willingly donating components to stabilise free radicals. More importantly, antioxidants return to the surface of the cell to stabilise other cellular components.

     

    When there are not enough antioxidants to hold peroxidation in check, free radicals begin damaging healthy cells, which can lead to problems. For example, free radical damage to immune cells can lead to an increased risk of infections.

     

    Antioxidants in IAMS™ adult dog and puppy foods

    Antioxidants offer countless benefits to our furry friends. And it is imperative that their food is loaded with it. Want to know why? Read on.

     

    Why do dogs need antioxidants?

    Antioxidants are a must for dogs as they are exposed to significantly more toxins than humans. These antioxidants work like protective agents within the dog’s body, battling free radicals that cause symptoms and diseases like skin problems.

    Furthermore, giving liver antioxidants for dogs will boost liver health and eliminate toxins from their body more efficiently. The liver will convert fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble toxins to easily flush them from your pet’s body through the GI tract and kidneys.

    Recent research has examined the benefits of certain antioxidants on the immune response of dogs, and the results of these studies indicated that antioxidants are important in helping dogs maintain a healthy immune system.

    IAMS™ adult and puppy formulas contain optimal levels of antioxidants such as:

     

    Antioxidant

    Source

    Function

    Vitamin E

    Plant oil extract and tocopherols

    Optimizes immune system’s T-cell activation

    Beta-carotene

    Vitamin premix, corn meal, chicken by-product meal and chicken fat

    Optimizes types of cells present in the blood,
    increases antibody levels in the blood
     

     

    Now that you know how dog food with antioxidants can benefit your dog, here’s a list of the best antioxidants for dogs: 
     

    Best antioxidants for dogs

    Vitamin C

    • One of the most essential vitamins for a dog's health
    • Aids in wound healing and reducing inflammation
    • Provides energy so your dog can enjoy playing outside all day

    Vitamin E

    • One of the best antioxidants for dogs with cancer
    • Provides a natural boost to the immune system
    • Supports healthy blood vessels and protects against diabetes and heart disease

    Beta-carotene

    • It is a fantastic dietary addition for your dog.
    • Helps boost the number of antibodies in blood and offers additional protection against diseases in older dogs

     

    Polyphenols

    • Excellent antioxidants for dogs as they help maintain your pet’s health and strength for many years
    • Shields from diseases like cancer or diabetes 

     

    Sources of antioxidants for dogs

    You can find natural antioxidants for dogs in the following:

     

    Fruits and vegetables

    The antioxidant content of plant-based foods is high. Foods that are highest in antioxidants are fruits and vegetables as they are loaded with vitamins and beneficial in countless ways. Some examples of excellent sources of antioxidants are blueberries, strawberries, pears, red cabbages, and kale. Make sure to check which fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog to consume. 


    Supplements

    Give your dog the best vitamins you can, so your pooch stays healthy. It is crucial that dogs receive a supplement that is specifically designed for their life stage. 

     

    Look for dog food with antioxidants and nutrients that are bioactive and bioavailable so that these get absorbed properly into your dog’s body. Make sure that the supplement you choose has the ideal ratio of natural elements for your pet’s needs. That can be accomplished by looking for a combination of prebiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

     

    For a healthy body from the inside, you can also feed your pooch IAMSTM Proactive HealthTM dog food. Find the products that are best for your dog by shopping based on your pet’s age.

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