Nutrition

Providing a balanced diet is critical in supporting the overall health and quality of a dog’s life. The appropriate amounts of nutrients including proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals are needed in a dog’s diet in order to maintain metabolic processes, prevent diseases and deficiencies, and provide the foundation for optimal growth and development.  

When selecting commercial foods for dogs, the most important thing is to select the appropriate life stage (adult maintenance or puppy) and lifestyle (indoor vs. active), but owners may also look for food with other attributes such as support for skin and coat, digestive or cognitive health, among others. 

The nutrition topic library is organized to help caretakers provide nutrition through proper feeding of their dogs by physiologic state.  This is the “condition or state of the body or bodily functions” and includes adult (maintenance), gestating (pregnant), lactating (nursing), and puppy nutrition.

0 Comments

Adult Maintenance

Most mature dogs fall under the maintenance category of canine nutrition which means they are not actively growing, lactating, pregnant, or performing strenuous work.

Gestating Dam

Pregnant dogs must be fed a diet that meets their increased protein and energy demands to support the growth of their puppies.

Lactating Dam

Nursing females require an increase in high energy, highly digestible food to provide the energy needed to make milk for her pups.

Puppies

The nutrient requirements of puppies need to be met to support growth and development of young dogs and secure a healthy adulthood.

Nutrition Library

 Additional Resources to Support Dogs in Other Environments

SHELTER & RESCUE

Dogs living in shelter or rescue kennels face challenges specific to their living environments. Practical applications for their management and care may also differ. Additional resources for their caretakers, including those caring for dogs in home-based foster systems or rescue networks, are provided to support efforts to improve, maintain, and protect their welfare.

 

PET FAMILIES

Dogs living in homes as family pets face challenges specific to their living environments. Practical applications for their management and care may also differ. Additional resources for their caretakers, support the human-animal bond, keep pets in their homes, and improve, maintain, and protect their welfare.

 

Research & Teaching

Dogs living in research or teaching kennels face challenges specific to their living environments. Practical applications for their management and care may also differ. Additional resources for their caretakers are provided to support efforts to improve, maintain, and protect their welfare.