Pick Food Brand Wisely
Do you know that lab pooches are more likely to develop a permanently debilitating hip problem if their diet is too high in calcium in relation to their size
It is unfortunate that there are only a few foods that satisfy these essential needs. But do not fret. Weve compiled a list of 5 brands that provide lab puppies with calcium thats right for them.
When To Switch From Puppy Food To Dog Food For Labrador Puppies Health Guide
The food that you feed your dog has an immense effect on the dogs life span. You should be aware of the correct feeding habit for your dog.
Having a pet dog is not only about fun. It also brings great responsibility along with it. Among those responsibilities, one of the important ones is the looking after of your dogs proper growth and health.
How will you do that? Well, you just have to know when to switch from puppy food to dog food for Labrador.
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Additional Considerations For Feeding Times
The most important consideration when choosing feeding times is to commit to a schedule that you can stick to. This will help your puppy to feel comfortable and confident when it comes to mealtimes.
If its challenging for you or your family members to get home in time to feed your puppy at the same time every day, you can try using an automatic dog feeder. You can also hire a dog walker or ask a neighbor for help.
As far as water timing, its best to let your lab puppy have access to water all of the time. Young dogs need to get plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. You can start to reduce their water intake around the evening if theyre having issues with potty training or holding in their bladder overnight.
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At What Age Do Puppies Stop Eating Puppy Food
But once your pup is six to 12 months old those needs change. Thats usually when your puppy is nearing his adult height and can transition to adult food. Spaying or neutering usually occurs at this age as well, lowering your dogs need for increased energy hence a reason to switch from puppy to adult dog food.
- Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Large-Breed Formula Dry Dog Food.
- Hills Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Dry Dog Food.
- Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food.
- Farmina N& D Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Recipe Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food.
- Royal Canin Small Puppy Wet Dog Food.
- Puppy Chow Complete With Chicken & Rice Dry Dog Food.
My Puppy Is Begging Should I Feed Him People Food Or Table Scraps
One little French fry will invariably lead to another, and another. Before long, an obese dog will be crowding you off the love seat. Also, a steady diet of table scraps can create a nutritional imbalance, and certain ingredients and spices in your favorite dishes can cause upset stomach in dogs.
The pleading gaze of a begging dog can be irresistible. This is no accident. During his long partnership with man, the dog has perfected cunning methods of exploiting the human habit of associating food with affection. In prehistoric times semi-domesticated canines first cultivated human beings as a food provider. As the two species grew closer, dogs modified begging behaviors to maximize results: The more pathetic a dog seemed, the more scraps were tossed his way. Dogs have since refined this approach into a low-risk, high-reward hunting technique.
But dont be fooled: Begging is not an emotional crisis or a test of your love. Its what scientists might call an evolutionary survival strategy, or what the rest of us might call a scam. Allowing your dog to guilt you into overfeeding him, or serving him a steady diet of table scraps in a misguided show of affection, can have harmful or even fatal results.
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Can You Feed Human Food To Puppies
Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder.
Unless you really understand canine nutrition, whats good, whats not and what a puppy should eat in what proportions, its best you dont feed them human food at all.
Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs.
Additionally, if youre feeding your puppy a complete and balanced diet by way of a commercially available kibble or wet food, you shouldnt add anything to it. The key word here is balanced.
In a balanced food, all the nutrients are in just the right amounts and if you add human foods on top, you are upsetting this balance.
Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do.
Learn All About Grains In Pet Food
Grains? No grains? What are they and what do they mean for your dog or cat? Find out on this special Blue Buffalo Grain FAQ page.
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Dog Articles: Health
Puppy, adult and senior: all three stages are important times in your furry pals life when its appropriate to ask your veterinarian about your dogs diet.
Growth foods necessary at the puppy stage have higher protein levels and calorie counts to meet your pups developmental needs. But once your pup is six to 12 months old those needs change.
Thats usually when your puppy is nearing his adult height and can transition to adult food. Spaying or neutering usually occurs at this age as well, lowering your dogs need for increased energy hence a reason to switch from puppy to adult dog food.
Breed size matters
Switching to adult food coincides with maturity, but due to the large variety of breeds, different dogs mature at different rates. Smaller breeds tend to mature faster than larger breeds:
Dogs up to 30 pounds mature around 10 to 12 months of age.
Some toy breeds can mature as early as seven to nine months old.
Medium breeds, up to 80 pounds, mature between 12 to 16 months.
Large breeds can mature at 12, 13, or even 14 months old.
Giant breed dogs can take up to two years to reach full maturity.
No more three squares a day
Most pet parents feed two half-portions of adult food when their dogs are over a year old.
Eyes on your furry friend. Not his food.
Switch slowly
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Are There Significant Differences Between Puppy Food And Adult Food
Your puppy should eat a commercial diet that is specifically formulated for puppies. Growing puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs, and puppy food is formulated to meet these needs. Puppy diets tend to be higher in calories to support growth, and have a different balance of vitamins and minerals to provide optimal nutrition for growing bones and muscles. Most veterinary nutritionists do not recommend homemade, raw, or adult dog food diets for puppies because these diets do not provide the right balance of nutrients to support rapid growth and may lead to developmental abnormalities.
While feeding puppy food to an adult is less risky than feeding adult food to a puppy, there are still concerns with feeding an adult dog a diet that does not match his current life stage. Puppy diets are often higher in calories than adult food, in order to support rapid growth. This can lead to rapid weight gain in adults, especially in spayed or neutered dogs.
What Human Foods Are Dangerous For A Labrador Puppy
Some human foods are dangerous, some are poisonous, and some can affect the health of your Labrador. The following are foods that you should not feed your puppy:
- Chocolate contains theobromine which is a toxic compound for dogs.
- High sugar foods such as candy and ice cream can cause heart disease, obesity, joint pain, dementia, and diabetes.
- Raw wild boar and raw salmon contain parasites that can be fatal.
- Macadamia nutscan cause vomiting, hyperthermia, and tremors in your puppy.
- Grapes, wine, and raisins can lead to kidney failure.
- Others include alcohol, coffee, tea, and foods with xylitol such as sodas, toothpaste, and candies.
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How Much Do Lab Puppies Grow Each Week
At ten weeks, he should weigh around 20 pounds. Hell be roughly half his expected weight at maturity by the time he reaches 18 to 20 weeks old.
Of course, all dogs are different, and stronger pups grow faster than weaker pups. A great indicator for you to keep an eye on is his waist. If you can see his waist, he is growing well. If you cant, hes too chunky, and if you can see his rib cage, hes too skinny. If you are concerned about his weight or growth, make an appointment with your vet.
How To Store Reheat And Freeze
This homemade dog food will last 5-7 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. We usually make a weeks worth of food at a time and store it in the refrigerator. We store all of the meals in simple Tupperware containers and we ALWAYS save our plastic take-out containers and re-use them for Rascals Dog Food.
When eating time rolls around, simply nuke it in the microwave for 30-60 seconds and cool slightly before serving.
For freezing, I recommend freezer-safe containers or freezer zip-top bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge before feeding and reheat as directed.
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How Old Is Old
To call a dog “old,” one mustn’t consider chronological age, but rather physiological condition. Aging begins when the body’s systems start to slow down when cells deteriorate faster than the body can repair them. Though the process is different for every animal , dogs are generally considered seniors beginning at around 7 years . If you feed your dog a diet designed to address the nutritional needs of his age, you can best maintain your dog’s overall health and well-being. As your dog ages, detecting and addressing signs of wear and tear or disease early might help your dog adjust more readily to his condition.
How your dog ages has much to do with genetics and environment, but nutrition plays an equally important role. The quality of the food and its ability to maintain and nourish your dog’s cells can slow or delay the effects of aging and help promote a long, healthy life. As your dog ages and his systems become less efficient, he relies increasingly on the food you provide to make up for his body’s shortfalls. According to Michael Hayek, PhD, a research nutritionist at The IAMS Company who specializes in geriatric nutrition, “Aging dogs need the same nutrients as younger dogs however, the quantity or the way the nutrients are provided may change.”
Fructooligosaccharides are a unique fiber source. FOS is a moderately fermentable fiber which can help maintain a healthy intestinal environment.
Labrador Puppys Size & Growth
Now that youve read the signs, you know exactly how your pups size and age will affect his nutritional requirements, and how he will start to loose his interest in the puppy food.
There are specific mineral balances needed for puppies of large breeds so that they develop their joints optimally and on schedule.
Your veterinarian should always consulted regarding your Labradors growth, and you should continue feeding him large-breed puppy food until he appears to be nearing the end of his growth plates.
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How To Make The Diet Change
Any diet change should be done gradually to avoid gastrointestinal upset. This process can take a week or two depending on how you do it.
It may take some time and research to choose the right food for your now-adult dog. You may wish to stick with the same brand of food but switch to an adult formula. Of course, your vet can help you find an appropriate diet.
Once you have chosen the adult dog food, determine the portion size of adult food you will eventually need to feed based on your dog’s current weight. Then, add a small percentage of adult food to the puppy food, increasing it a little at each meal. For simplicity, you may want to work out a schedule so you are not trying to remember how much of each to feed. Many veterinary professionals recommend the “3 by 3” approach when switching diets:
- Days 1-3: Feed 1/3 portion of adult food and 2/3 portion of puppy food
- Days 4-6: Feed 1/2 portion of adult food and 1/2 portion of puppy food
- Days 7-9: Feed 2/3 portion of adult food and 1/3 portion of puppy food
- Day 10 and on: Feed full portion of adult food
During the switch, watch your dog’s appetite and bowel movements. Slow the transition if your dog experiences diarrhea or vomiting. If GI upset continues, you may need to choose a different adult diet and re-start the transition. Contact your vet if your dog has vomiting or diarrhea for more than a day.
A Perfect Time To Switch To Adult Food For Your Labrador Puppy
At this stage of your pups development, breed-specific foods have greater levels of protein and calories that required for proper growth.
A labrador puppy can start eating adult dog food once they reach the age of 12-18 months, certain factors need to be considered.
Have you ever wondered why puppies and adults eat different food? Relax, Im glad you asked.
Youve surely thought about this before, so Im assuming many of you already know the answer for the rest of you who dont, here it is.
Puppy food is specially designed to be nutrient-dense to meet their nutritional needs. On the other hand, adult dog food contains nutrients that suited to animals that have passed their growth phase.
As they grow, what they need to eat changes. From puppyhood through teenhood, and later on into a dogs senior years, it is important to consult your pets veterinarian on what to feed your dog.
Here are some factors to consider:
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Experts Disagree On Puppy Feeding
One problem for puppy owners is that even the experts disagree on what is the best food for puppies. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view.
You will find veterinarians on YouTube pronouncing that BARF is the only way to keep a dog healthy. Other veterinarians and nutritionists argue that kibble is the only way you should feed your puppy, warning of dire consequences if you attempt to go natural.
To make things even more complicated, dog breeders also tend to be divided into those that feed a natural raw diet and those that feed kibble. Take a look online you will find plenty of claims for the benefits of one method over the other.
The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. So, well now take a quick look at some of the pros and cons of the different puppy foods.
How Often Should You Feed Your Labrador
The amount of food you feed your lab each day is determined by its size, level of activity, and metabolism.
The feeding recommendations on the majority of store-bought dog foods are dependent on your puppys weight, and our chart above provides advice on many of the common foods for Labrador puppies.
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How Often To Feed A Puppy How Many Times To Feed A Puppy Each Day
Feeding a puppy too much food in one go is a common cause of tummy upset and diarrhea. To avoid this you must split their daily intake into a few smaller meals spread throughout the day.
This makes each meal easier to digest, your puppy gets more goodness from each meal and keeps their digestive system running smoothly, while ensuring a steady and stable flow of energy throughout the day instead of peaks and troughs.
For large breed puppies, the advice is for under 3 months feed them 4 times each day, for 3 to 6 months old, feed them 3 times each day, and at 6 months and older you can feed them just twice each day.
You should space these meals out evenly: 3 hours apart for 4 meals, 4 hours apart for 3 meals and 6 to 7 hours apart for 2 meals.
Avoid feeding your puppy in the 3 hours leading up to bed time so they dont feel the need to potty during the night, waking you up to do so.
If your puppy regularly has soft stools or diarrhea, feeding them a higher number of smaller meals instead of fewer large meals can sometimes help. Certainly give it a try.
At The End Of 2019 During Our Yearly Vet Check We Received The Devastating News That Our 11 Year Old Dog’s Blood Work Showed That He Was In Stage 4 Kidney Failure
Honestly, I was a basket case, how on earth did we miss this? He seemed like he was just dealing with some symptoms of getting older – frequent urination, sometimes excessive water drinking. It definitely didn’t feel like life-threatening symptoms. As much as the diagnosis was a shock, the price tag of the prescription diet he would need to eat for the remainder of his life was pretty horrifying too!
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