Lifestage Transition for Dogs
With this comes physical change which calls for tailored nutrition to ensure your dog receives exactly what he or she requires. The transition from one life stage to the next for your dog depends on their size. For instance, larger breeds mature far earlier than smaller breeds, and as such require a different diet at a different age. the chart below illustrates when these transitions occur, and what products are best suited to your dog at that lifestage.
They're Not Puppies Forever
Puppies experience many physical changes as they develop into adult dogs. Physical size and shape change as the bones lengthen and harden, joints mature and muscles, ligaments and tendons all grow to adult size. the coat changes from a soft immature one to a denser adult coat, sometimes with two distinct layers - an undercoat and an overcoat. Baby or deciduous teeth teeth fall out and are replaced with permanent adult teeth.
The immune system matures as it faces challenges from vaccines and natural exposure to germs. The gastrointestinal and urinary tracts mature and dogs learn to control their bodily functions as they become house-trained.
When your dog becomes an adult, whether a small or large breed, a different food is required without the extra calories for energy and specific formulation for development.
With Age Comes Maturity
When compared to the activity levels enjoyed during their younger years, older dogs tend to slow down and require more sleep and rest periods throughout the day.
It is essential that they still have the opportunity to enjoy some moderate or gentle exercise ona daily basis, as this keeps muscles and joints active and supple while helping to meaintain a healthy bodyweight. This promotes overall fitness and assists in the prevention of arthritis and other age-related conditions.
Any stiffness, lameness or reluctance to perform activities like stair climbing should be moted and investigated, as arthritis can be a problem in older dogs. Any increase in appetite should also be noted, as they can be early signs of disorders that are more common in older dogs.
Diet is another important factor in maintaining the health of a mature pet. The OPTIMUM® range provides a formulation for mature dogs with all the nutrients required for maximizing good health, while providing fewer calories so that decreased activity levels are offset and a healthy weight maintained.
