Puppy Feeding & Growth for a Large Breed Dog

Large dogs can grow too quickly.

A large breed dog is one that weighs between 45 and 99 pounds when mature. Feeding a large breed puppy properly is essential to its well-being as an adult. A puppy should be lean but not skinny: A good visual rule is that the last rib should barely be visible when the puppy is standing. The balance of nutritious food and optimal weight throughout the puppy's early life contributes to a healthy growth rate and decreases potentially problematic conditions common in large breed dogs. Moderate daily exercise also assists in strong bone development and a lean body weight.

Nutrition

Too much dietary calcium, fat and protein in puppy food can cause bone abnormalities.

A puppy with too much daily calcium, dietary fat and protein can develop skeletal abnormalities. For calcium intake, animal nutrition experts suggest that calcium consumption over 3 percent can be detrimental to a dog's development. Adding vitamin D can worsen the problem of too much intake, since vitamin D increases calcium absorption.

Too much dietary fat can contribute to excessive mass on the puppy's delicate skeletal structure. This results in easily fractured bones, joint malformation and chronic pain. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), fat in a dog's diet should not make up less than 9 percent or exceed 12 percent of its daily caloric intake.

Protein should range from 15 to 27 percent, as too much protein converts into excessive weight.

Growth Disorders

Bones of large breed dogs tend to be weaker than those of smaller breeds.

Bones of large breeds tend to be weaker than those of smaller breeds. As a result, rapid or excessive growth can intensify bone deterioration. A bone disease such as hypertrophic osteodystrophy can produce lameness, while osteochondrosis results in bone chipping, and hip dysplasia causes limping.

Nutrition and rapid growth can also cause heart problems. Dr. Barret Bulmer, assistant professor of cardiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, states that a heart muscle disease called dilated cardiomyopathy does not allow a dog's heart to contract enough for blood to flow to vital organs and muscles.

Portion Control

An owner needs to regulate a puppy's diet.

It is not healthy for puppies to be overweight, so owners must control the amount a dog eats. AAFCO recommends following the directions on the back of the puppy food bag, adjusting accordingly to a dog's individual needs.

According to veterinarian Dr. Chick Newman, puppies younger than 6 months old should eat three times a day, while dogs older than 6 months should eat twice a day. In either case, the dog should ingest as much as desired but only for a limited time, for example, 10 minutes.

Food Choice

Puppies need nutritionally sound food.

Commercial labels on puppy foods can be misleading to consumers. Some brands contain excessive levels of calcium, fat and protein, causing potential skeletal and joint issues. Ignore all marketing claims seen on the front of the bag and focus on the back of the bag, where all the nutrient levels are listed. AAFCO feeding trial approval is a good indication that the puppy food is nutritionally sound for growth.

When it comes to choosing soft over hard dog food, hard dog food has advantages over canned. Dry dog food helps to clean teeth. It also provides the essential chew and crunch factor that dogs prefer. A tablespoon of wet food mixed in with the dry is a recommended option. Snacks of raw carrots and apple pieces are also a healthy choice.

Problem Eaters

Yogurt adds moisture and taste to dog food.

Dogs that refuse food send owners grasping at ways to compensate. For fussy dogs that refuse to eat, boiled hamburger or chicken combined with rice is a good substitution. Additionally, cottage cheese and yogurt offer extra taste and moistness to food. If the dog continues to refuse food, consult a veterinarian.

References

• PedEducation.com: Osteochondritis Dissecans
• Newmanveterinary.com: Large Breed Puppies: What Is an Appropriate Diet
• Kansas State University: Special Concerns to Consider When Owning a Large Dog
• Professorshouse.com: Dry Dog Food vs. Canned

Resources

• Peteducation.com: Dog Food Standards by the AAFCO
• GreatDaneLady.com: Amounts to Feed Large/Giant Breed Dogs