Giant Breed Puppy Nutrition

Article by AlyssaAst (12,257 pts ) , published Aug 31, 2009

Giant breed puppy nutrition is vital for a puppy to grow properly. Giant breed puppies require different nutrients in their diets in order to grow properly and decrease their risks of developing medical conditions in adulthood.

Giant breed dogs are often at a higher risk for medical complications because of their size. For this reason, it is important they receive vital nutrients while they are puppies. Giant breed puppies require more nutritional content in their diets to promote healthy growing and development. Proper giant breed puppy nutrition can also reduce their risks for developing certain medical conditions later in life.

Puppy Food

Because giant breed puppies require more nutrients in their diets, regular puppy food should not be fed to them. When choosing a puppy food, it is important to pick one that states it is for giant breed puppies. If a puppy does not receive the proper food, they stand a higher chance of developing hip, joint, and bone problems.

Giant breed puppy nutrition should include a high percentage of calcium and phosphorus to support them as they grow. The food should also include a low fat content and protein. This is important because it will slow their growth and allow them to develop properly. If a puppy grows too quickly they stand a high risk of developing bone, joint, and hip complications. Although they grow slower on proper puppy food, they will still reach their normal height and weight in adulthood.

Puppy Foods to Avoid

When choosing a puppy food for a giant breed, there are certain ingredients that need to be avoided. Puppy food that contains high amounts of salt and corn need to be avoided. These ingredients are difficult for a giant breed puppy to digest. These ingredients can eventually cause a dog serious health problems.

Fresh Food

Puppies can receive many of the nutrients they need through fresh food as well. Proper nutrients for a giant breed puppy should include chicken and beef. Brown rice, oatmeal and eggs are good to incorporate into a puppy‘s diet. Yogurt, fruit, and raw vegetables can also be given to giant breed puppies.

To reduce the risk of a giant breed dog developing certain health conditions as they age, feeding them a proper diet while they are a puppy is important. Veterinary advice is always useful when trying to decide what to feed a giant breed puppy.

References:

“Great Dane Puppy and Mastiff Puppy Care Sheet” MyDog8it.com

“Feeding a Puppy” ProfessorsHouse.com

Comment

Oct 28, 2009 1:22 PM
Richard
Maize
I have a Bulgarian Shepherd puppy, now 4 months old and weighing 27 kilos. These are not common dogs (maybe 700 in the world) and so there is no breed information available. I am actually living in Bulgaria and have been feeding Royal Canin Giant Puppy food....which is now currently unavailable here. So, the vets here have put me onto Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy food....and the first ingredient on the list is maize. I would rather make food for him myself than be ripped off for expensive foods that are inappropriate. The vets here really know nothing.....Mostly the Bulgarians feed these dogs here just on oats!! I would be very grateful for some advice.
Thank you
Richard