Puppies are usually quite busy in the first year of their lives. To achieve an adult status, there is much growing to be done! By starting beautifully with the right food source, we are paving a path of health and longevity.
Promoting healthy growth is crucial in the development of important organ functions and a strong immune system. When choosing a diet for your growing puppy, it is important to meet four key nutrients: protein, fat, calcium, and digestible carbohydrates.
Protein
Protein is important for the body’s function. Since your puppy is still growing, it needs a higher level of protein intake in order to facilitate muscle development, tissue repair and growth. The recommended minimal protein content for a healthy puppy is 22% on a dry matter basis (no water content) to support optimal growth.
Fat
Fat is a source of essential fatty acids. It provides a concentrated source of energy and carries fat-soluble vitamins that are vital for your puppy’s growth.
Calcium
Similar to humans, calcium plays a very important part in growth, healthy bone and teeth maintenance, proper muscle building and function, a strong heart, and a healthy nervous system.
Digestible Carbohydrates
Digestible carbohydrates, or net carbs, correspond to the fraction of the total carbohydrates that are digestible and available to provide energy to the body’s cells. In short, digestible carbohydrates correspond to the grams of starches and sugars in a serving of food.
Colostrum
As an added bonus, colostrum has powerful life-supporting immune and growth factors that essentially jumpstart the puppy’s immune system. It helps to ensure the health and vitality of growing puppies and enables the animals to resist the harmful effects of pollutants, contaminants and allergens.
Now you must be thinking, “gosh how would I keep up with all these? It is an impossible task”. Not to worry, once again, we’ve got you covered!
The best food to feed your puppy is a high-quality kibble designed for your puppy needs. A few examples would be bosch’s puppy and junior kibbles which are recommended for puppies aged below 4 months and between 5-12 months respectively.
bosch HPC Puppy
- Is specially formulated for diet-sensitive puppies (from 3 weeks to 12 weeks old).
- It contains 30% fresh poultry, and is made without wheat.
- It also contains mannans and glucans which help strengthen your furkid’s immune system.
bosch HPC Mini Junior
- Is specially formulated for nutritionally sensitive small breed puppies (up to 12 months).
- It is suitable for breeds that grow up to 15kg.
- It contains 30% fresh poultry, and is made without gluten. It also contains mannans and glucans which help strengthen your furkid’s immune system.
bosch HPC Maxi Junior
- Is specially formulated for nutritionally sensitive large breed puppies (up to 12 months).
- It is suitable for breeds that grow up to 25kg. It contains 30% fresh poultry, and is made without wheat.
- It also contains mannans and glucans which help strengthen your furkid’s immune system.
bosch SOFT Junior Chicken & Sweet Potato
- Is a highly palatable meal with high protein content, specially formulated for puppies and young growing dogs with dietary intolerances (up to 12 months).
- It is made with 70% fresh chicken as the sole animal source of protein.
- It is also high in moisture content (19%) which gives it a high acceptance rate even amongst fussy dogs.
bosch has calculated the feeding recommendations for growing puppies which take into account daily energy requirements, literature values, but also on the experiences of successful breeders.
Image credit: bosch-tiernahrung.de
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