How can I tell if a dog food is safe for a large breed puppy.
According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)…
The maximum amount of calcium recommended for large breed puppies is 4.5 grams of calcium per every 1000 kcal (calories) in the food… or 1.8% calcium.12
Keep in mind… the calcium content printed on the label does not reveal this amount.
That’s because those figures are based on MINIMUMS… which is NOT acceptable.
You want to know the EXACT amount of calcium obtained by actual lab testing (by asking the company)…
Or the MAXIMUM amount the manufacturer is willing to guarantee to you on the label.
Thankfully…
AAFCO now requires13 those calcium standards to be guaranteed in each product’s Nutritional Adequacy Statement on the packaging.
You should see “meets AAFCO nutrient profiles” for either “growth” or “all life stages”… AND the words… “including growth of large size dogs (animals weighing over 70 pounds)”.
Since we never know the adult weight of a puppy before it’s fully grown, we recommend using a more conservative 50 pound definition for large breeds
How much food should I feed my large breed puppy?
Determining how much to feed your large breed puppy is a process… NOT a one-time decision.
Since a large breed puppy consumes more food each day than a smaller breed…
And because each dry food contains a different number of calories per cup…
It’s best to start with the recommended feeding amount printed on the package. Then, adjust that amount… to keep your puppy at her ideal weight.
How often should I feed my large breed puppy?
Once you’ve determined how much to feed your puppy per day…
Simply divide that daily feeding amount into 3 or 4 smaller servings.
Then… feed those smaller portions to your puppy at regular intervals throughout the day.
To make it easy…
Try feeding your puppy whenever YOU eat… breakfast, lunch and dinner
When should I switch my puppy to adult food?
Adult dog food can contain excessive amounts of calcium… which can make it unsafe for a puppy that’s still growing.
So… it’s important NOT to switch your puppy to adult food too soon.
With that in mind…
The best time to switch your puppy to adult food depends on her breed type. German Shepherds are usually between 12 to 18 months.
Keep in mind…
It’s much safer to keep your dog on puppy food too long… than to switch to an adult food too soon.
Is it safe to let my puppy eat whenever she wants?
Free choice’ is a popular feeding method whereby the food remains in the bowl all day long… so a puppy can eat… whenever she wants.
Sadly, many owners of large breed puppies mistakenly believe that this form of uncontrolled eating is the correct way to feed their pets.
But free choice feeding has been shown to cause a puppy to grow too fast… and lead to lasting bone damage.
A 1995 study of Great Danes revealed a significant increase in the risk of developing hip dysplasia when the puppies were fed free choice.
In another study, one group of Labrador Retriever puppies was fed throughout life a restricted calorie diet… while a second was fed free choice.
The restricted calorie group experienced a much lower risk of developing hip dysplasia later in life.
So, be sure to control the amount of food and the way you feed your puppy every day.
Article by DogFoodAdvisor.com
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