Hill s Puppy School Nutrition education Registered Trademarks owned or used under license by Hill s Pet Nutrition. P&K021
There are three main factors that influence the health of your puppy Genetics Environment Nutrition
Nutrition is something that we can influence every day
The first 12 months are critical This is the time when important events occur Brain and central nervous system development Immune system development Building a foundation for healthy bones and joints (Especially important for large breed puppies) Healthy eating and feeding patterns are established
Growth curves for puppies Puppies are growing rapidly and need specially designed foods that contain the right amount of specific nutrients to ensure they grow and develop into healthy adults Weight in kg 80 70 Giant 50kg and above 60 50 40 Large 25-50kg 30 20 Medium 10-25kg 15 10 5 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Age in months Small 5-10kg Toy 2-5kg
The importance of a healthy diet Safe controlled growth Ideal body condition Smooth skin and glossy coat Well-formed stools Healthy bone and joint development Strong immune system Best start in life
What is the right nutrition? Your puppy needs the right balance of nutrients without excess or deficiencies to avoid health problems Water Protein Fat Energy Calcium and phosphorus
Protein Puppies require more protein than adult dogs to aid in bone, muscle and organ growth Fat Essential fatty acids from plant and animal sources Omega 6 and Omega 3 from animal and vegetable oils for: Healthy skin Omega 3 (DHA) for vision and brain development
Energy Puppies require higher energy than adult dogs for growth and maintenance Calcium and phosphorus Puppies need more than adult dogs for healthy bone development
Other added benefits to support healthy growth and development Antioxidants Help combat free radicals that damage cells Support a healthy immune system, which can help to protect against infectious diseases, cancer and aging L-Carnitine A vitamin like substance that converts fat into energy Hill s Science Diet Large Breed formula contains L-Carnitine as it supports lean muscle mass
High quality ingredients for easy digestibility This means that puppies do not need to eat large meals to get all of the nutrients they require, which decreases the risk of: Flatulence Vomiting Diarrhoea
Outward signs of a poor quality diet Poor skin and coat Occasional loose stools or large volume Flatulence Unhealthy body condition (1,2,4 or 5) Greater risk of joint disorders Free radical damage that may result in: A less effective immune system Weaker response to vaccination
Not all puppies are the same Large breed puppies have special requirements Large breed puppies are those that will be 25+kg when they are fully grown Common Large Breed Dogs Weight Fully Grown Adult Common Large Breed Dogs Weight Fully Grown Adult Golden Retriever 27-36kg Mastiff 80-86kg Boxer 25-32kg Saint Bernard 50-90kg Boxer 25-34kg German Shepherd 34-43kg Border Collie 20-34kg English Setter 25-30kg Bullmastiff 41-59kg Rottweiler 41-50kg Great Dane 45-55kg Ridgeback 30-39kg
What is different? Large breed puppies need special food to help them avoid bone and joint problems Large breed puppy food needs to have the following: Lower fat and energy levels to ensure they grow at a healthy rate The right amount and balance of calcium and phosphorus to support healthy joint development
Healthy feeding and eating practices You should not supplement a complete and balanced diet as this can cause weight gain In particular you need to avoid the following for your pet to remain happy and healthy: Avoid cow s milk (contains lactose) Chocolate Raw bones as they can splinter causing possible damage to teeth, throat and intestines Sweet biscuits Grapes, onion and garlic
Feed your puppy meals Avoid ad-lib feeding methods Monitor bodyweight Follow the feeding guide on the side of the pack as your puppy will require different amounts of food as they grow Transition to adult foods at 12 months Slow transition over 7 days mixing old food with new food Increases acceptance and minimises gastrointestinal upsets Ensures that your best friend is getting all of the nutrients they require to live a long and healthy life
Transitioning to a new food A gradual transition period over 7 days Day 1-2 Day 3-4 Day 5-6 Day 7 Hill s Science Diet Puppy Food Some foods may require a longer transition period
Choosing the right product for your puppy
Hill s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Precisely balanced for medium puppies up to one year of age Clinically proven Antioxidant s to protect cells from damage High levels of DHA for better brain and vision development Energy dense so puppies don t need to eat large meals Naturally preserved for peace of mind Fixed formula to avoid stomach upsets High quality ingredients
Hill s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed For large breed puppies (25+kg when fully grown) Added L-Carnitine for lean muscle development Clinically proven antioxidant formula to protect cells from damage Fixed formula to prevent stomach upsets Controlled calcium and phosphorus to prevent skeletal abnormalities Reduced fat and energy compared to Puppy Healthy Development to help prevent developmental bone abnormalities that can occur if growth is too rapid High quality ingredients, naturally preserved
Why Hill s Puppy Foods are a great choice Premium high quality which is complete and balanced Enhanced with natural DHA Clinically proven antioxidants Natural ingredients Natural preservatives Great palatability also comes as standard!
Life Stage Nutrition Range Growth up to 1 year Adult 1 through 6 years Mature Adult 7+ years Growth Large Breed up to 1 Year Adult Large Breed 1 through 4 years Mature Adult Large Breed 5+ years