1. Growth Diet The growth period is from weaning until 10-18 months of age. Puppies require 2-3 times the energy until they are 50% of adult weight. 1.5 times until 80% - 100% of adult weight. Overfed puppies are at risk for obesity, musculoskeletal disorders, and hip displaysia. “Diets” in puppies can cause malnutrition

2. Increased essential fatty acids are required for cell membrane formation, eye, and brain development. Puppy foods should contain a minimum of 8% fat (DM). No more than 33% fat.

3. Growth diets should contain highly digestible protein. Growth diets should contain no less than 22% protein. This aids in the development of skeletal muscle and bone formation.

4. An increased digestibility combined with and increased energy density decreases the amount of food required. Decreasing the amount of food required decreases the likelihood of digestive upset (vomiting and diarrhea).

5. A puppy is too small to hold enough stored energy from a single feeding to provide the daily requirements. Puppies should be fed 3x per day (more in the case of toy breeds) Free choice is not recommended due to obesity risks.

6. How much do I feed? Free choice is not recommended due to obesity risks. Amount to feed can start with package directions, weighing, and keeping track of body condition score. RER can be calculated and then multiply by 2 or 3, weigh regularly, and keep track of body condition score. If increased body fat is seen, decrease the amount by 10%. As growth increases, so will the amount fed.

7. Toy breeds are unable to regulate the blood glucose. Waiting too long between feedings can cause the glucose to fall dangerously low. As these small puppies have no reserves to call on to restore the glucose they will quickly be come hypoglycemic, causing lethargy, convulsions and death.

8. What vitamins and minerals should be increased in the growth diet and why? Homework: due at the beginning of class tomorrow. If you were creating a growth diet, what vitamins and minerals would you add more of and why?

9. Adult Canine Nutrition

10. Daily energy requirements are the number of calories needed to maintain an animal’s weight. An increase in exercise, lactation and growth will increase the number of calories needed.

11. Dogs are omnivores and opportunistic eaters, predators and scavengers. Because dogs range in size, age and activity level, nutritional energy requirements are calculated based on the animal’s metabolic body weight, or the weight of actively metabolizing tissue. As discussed earlier, start with the RER and multiply the result by various factors to account for breed, age, and lifestyle. (MER) Continue checking BCS and adjust feeding amounts as needed.

12. The amount of food needed to meet the nutritional requirements is calculated from the energy value of the food and if treats or table scraps are fed, their energy content must also be taken in to account

13. Calculations ME 4035 kcal/kg 487 kcal/cup 1c. = 4.26 oz (121g) If I have a 31lb. dog, how much food should be given each day? How much if I am feeding twice a day?

14. Large meals should be avoided in large breed dogs prior to exercise to minimize the risk of bloat and gastric torsion.

15. When to change diets A healthy adult diet should not be changed unless you detect some abnormalities. Caution should be used when changing diets due to GI upset, potential allergies, and behavior issues. If a diet is changed, do so gradually over the course of several days to a week.

16. Snacks Snacks should account for no more than 10% of the total caloric intake. Caution should be given with human food snacks. Over feeding snacks may dilute the balanced diet of essential nutrients. Potentially toxic foods: grapes, raisins, onions, chocolate