From an early age, the inclusion of a balanced diet is one of the most important factors for the health and wellness of our furry companions. This developmental life stage can be enormously impacted by poor nutrition, causing medical issues either in puppyhood or adult life. For pet parents, it is beneficial to know the basics of puppy nutrition. From understanding the different nutritional requirements of small and large breed puppies to reading and interpreting pet food labels, we want to set your fur-babies up for success, and Tom&Sawyer has you covered.
Puppy Basics
First comes the basics. Dogs, unlike cats, exhibit vast breed diversity—ranging from toy to giant sizes. Puppy growth is the most rapid in the early stages, reaching approximately 50% of their adult weight by 6 months, and then 80% between 10-12 months. A diet appropriate for growth should be given until a puppy reaches 80% of their adult weight, regardless of breed.
Offering your puppy a diet rich in nutrients that promote growth is key when it comes to approaching their wellbeing head-on. Protein is very important to growing puppies, and puppies need more of it than adult dogs—a diet too low in protein could lead to impaired growth and muscle development. They should also have vitamin D to prevent bone issues, calcium, phosphorus, and DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid), which contributes to the development of eyes and ears. It is important to note that a lean body weight is important as well, as excessive calories and over-feeding may predispose them to obesity as adults.
When it comes to puppies, size matters!
High-quality foods are going to be highly digestible; if a formula has poor digestibility, then a young pup will need to eat large volumes of food to meet their demanding nutritional requirements. If such volumes are consumed, this can further reduce digestibility, as puppies already have a limited digestive capacity, which can further impact their growth. Gently cooked meals deliver more nutrients to support the health and well-being while offering a fresh taste for any picky eaters. This is the real deal!
Most Tom&Sawyer meals are complete and balanced for adult maintenance, but they’ve made puppy nutritional support simple! By adding a scoop of our Puppy Booster, your dog can enjoy delicious meals like Turkey Gobbler, Goji Berry Beef, Classic Pork Stew, or Italian Beef Pasta for their entire life. Tom&Sawyer can be purchased online through their website or at select pet retailers across Canada.
At Tom&Sawyer, we do not recommend using our recipes as the sole source of nutrition for large or giant breed puppies, as they are not nutritionally complete for their unique needs. That means puppies that are expected to have an adult weight of more than 70 pounds are not suitable for this. However, they CAN be used as tasty toppers, treats, and training. Or, to keep them occupied with food puzzles.
There are diets available labeled “All Life Stages”, and although they are convenient, it’s important to consider the generalizations being made to truly cater to ‘all life stages’ (from puppy, to adult, to senior). From meeting the nutritional requirements of puppies, to pregnant or lactating dogs, and seniors, these generalizations make them most suitable for many small to medium breeds but are strongly discouraged for feeding to large or giant breeds.
Tom&Sawyer Vet Chef line has two delicious meals for all life stages: Pork Risotto and Turkey & Trimmings.
It’s important for pet parents to be comfortable with what they are feeding their puppies, and that they understand the basics of growth and nutrition. By being up to date on pet food labels (AAFCO statements should be included), the types of foods available in the market, and the needs of different breeds, we can ensure we are setting them up for success. The puppy’s life stage is heavily influenced by nutrition, so being properly educated can help you and your dog grow to be the best you both can be.
Resources:
Case L, Daristotle L, Hayek M, Raasch M. (2011) Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals. Mosby Elsevier, USA.
Larson, J. Nutrition and Exercise for Growing Puppies. Veterinary Partner.
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=5985068
Wortinger, A. (2007) Nutrition for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. Blackwell Publishing, USA.
Kelly Gredner is a Registered Veterinary Technician with 10 years as a Veterinary Technician Specialist in pet nutrition. Kelly recently joined Tom&Sawyer and is now a part of their nutrition team as the Veterinary Nutrition Consultant and Technical Specialist! She enjoys helping pets through nutrition, one bowl at a time. Kelly currently resides in Toronto with her two rescue cats, Mikey and Sidney.
Tom&Sawyer was started to create the highest quality all-natural, gently cooked, science-backed nutritious meals for a puppy named Sawyer who refused to eat kibble. Since 2015, Tom&Sawyer has been making hand-crafted meals for cats and dogs, that are developed with the help of vets, animal nutritionists and labs to create complete and nutritionally balanced meals that are 100% AAFCO Human Grade.
