Special Diets for Special Dogs
Whether you decide to feed your dog a commercial recipe or a raw or home-cooked meal, consider his breed, size, and age.
Large Breed Puppies
Large and giant breed puppies grow fast; however, growing too fast can stress their joints. Therefore, they don't need the high percentages of protein and fat that some pet food manufacturers market specifically for puppies. For this reason, look for a large breed puppy food with reduced calories and calcium/phosphorus ratios compared to conventional puppy formulas. Here are the standard recommendations for dry foods for large breed puppies:
Protein content: 22–27 percent
Fat content: 8 percent or less
Calcium content: 1 percent
Phosphorus content: 0.8 percent
Feeding less than 28 percent protein may reduce the possibility of bone and joint problems, including hip problems these breeds are prone to develop.
Senior Dogs
While veterinarians once believed that senior dogs, or dogs over the age of seven years, should have less protein than mature adults, that is no longer their recommendation.
When deciding how much protein to give your dog, evaluate his activity level, his overall condition, and the environment. Dogs that are exposed to stressful situations or are participating in strenuous exercise require extra protein for tissue repair. In severe cold or hot weather your dog will need a high protein and high-fat diet.
Dogs with Gastric Problems
If your dog has digestion problems, avoid feeding high-fat foods. For dogs with kidney issues, foods lower in phosphorus may be called for.
