Just as the dog's stages are different according to age, so is the diet it needs in each one of them, where nutritional needs vary, not only by age, but by race and other factors.
It is for these reasons that the feed that you find in the market is duly prepared based on each stage, with the purpose that the pet has a healthy and balanced diet, thus allowing you to always have good health and quality of life.
Feed type
It is important to note that only two types of dog food are recognized, the one for puppies and the one for adults, this according to the AAFCO as the main entity in charge of regulating this type of food. Everything else that exists in the market has emerged as response to certain consumer demands.
When they are just born, the first food that puppies receive is mother's milk, which provides you with the necessary nutrients and defenses for your immune system. The development of dogs in this first phase is quite fast, which requires a food rich in fats, calcium, proteins and other components that only the mother's milk contains.
The little ones feed very frequently from the moment they are born, but it is around the sixth week maximum in the eighth, when they are already suitable for eating soft food, at the same time as breast milk, while simultaneously initiating the weaning process.
At this stage, the feed can be supplied in the form of porridge, moistened with a little water and in this way it is getting used to consuming more solid food. In the case of puppies that have been abandoned by the mother, they need to be fed by someone who takes charge, which is not so simple, but with the support of a specialist it can be done, allowing the puppy to develop well and healthy.
Necessary feeding after weaning
From the eighth week, the dog should be starting with the intake of solid food and will not depend at all on the mother's teat. Its growth since then will be fast and you will have much more energy for physical activities that will be frequent and very intense.
In this sense, it is owed provide a food that is rich in fat and protein, to replenish the energies. In general, at this stage the puppy is very active, restless and playful, which encourages the formation of volume and mass.
However, the specific conditions of the puppy must be taken into accountIf the environment where you live is suitable for you to perform a lot of physical activity, etc., since the need for nutrients will depend on it; This is why the guidance you receive from the veterinarian in this regard is essential.
There are also very specific breeds that need foods that contain extra elements to promote their development, as in the case of american bully, whose food must contain extra calcium.
Puppies should be fed up to 4 times a day until they are 3 months old, from 3 months to 6 you can feed him up to 3 times a day, and from 6 months onwards it can be fed up to 2 times a day.
Regarding the age of maturation, You must bear in mind that this varies depending on the type of breedsTherefore, you will see that some take a little longer to stop being puppies than others. However, you can get a rough idea of when they mature.
For example, small and medium breeds reach adulthood around one year of age, now large and very large breed dogs become adults at approximately 18 months. This information is very useful when changing the type of food. from puppy to adult.
Food for the adult stage
In this phase the dog has reached its maximum level of growth and therefore needs a balanced diet in accordance with an adult specimen, which allows you to maintain your volume and muscle mass in optimal conditions.
The food for the adult dog has necessary nutritional needs, where it does not require so much fat and protein, since it does not need as many calories per kilogram as the puppy does.
Of course, those dogs with very specific activities such as those that practice intense sports, those of work, hunting and that in general carry out physical activities that demand a lot of effort, need foods with a high calorie intake, than those who are only at home and limit themselves to one or two daily walks.
Fortunately, there are foods specially made with an additional contribution of calories, which are ideal for the dog to receive just the energy it needs without overeating and exposing itself to obesity.
Special mention requires the Feeding the bitches in the gestation stage and lactation, where they need certain nutritional contributions to stay healthy, have healthy and well-fed puppies.
How to choose between dry food, wet food and homemade food?
Before deciding to change your dog's diet, or introduce a new food, always you should consult your vet to make sure it is the best choice for your pet.
The choice of diet is quite personal, varies from person to person and animal to animal, depending on the preferences of each person, unless your pet follows a specific diet on the recommendation of your veterinarian.
In the case of dogs, which are generally fed twice a day, it will be more free to choose. For example, the dry diet lasts longer and is good for the dog's teeth. The soft diet has very good benefits, since the dog can change its texture from time to time, it is easier to ingest and has more flavor.
Another way of eating is through homemade food, where vegetables and fruits come into play. For example, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, asparagus, kiwi, watermelon and apple are the favorite foods for the dog. So you already know, try to vary your diet.
What food to feed pregnant dogs
During the 9 weeks that the dog's gestation period lasts, it must be borne in mind that they do not need to eat a lot of calories in the first weeks, since what they receive in the special food for adults is enough.
However, around the last 2 or 3 weeks of pregnancy, the energy needs of this increase, so you must provide a food with a high protein content and with a greater amount of metabolizing proteins.
If you do not know which food is indicated and when should you start supplying it, the veterinarian will tell you at what stage of the pregnancy to do it and which is the most appropriate according to the medical history of your dog.
Food for older dogs
When the dog becomes old his needs for food and calories vary, since your activity level is lower, so in this sense the diet should be lower in protein to protect your kidneys. The ingredients in these foods must be easily digestible.
All the vitamins for elderly dogs and nutritional supplements, are very beneficial to maintain your quality of life. The age that determines whether a dog is old or not varies according to the breed or its characteristics (size).