Page 53 - K9 News - Issue 14 - December 2020

health from an early age. much more likely to become obese adults and this
puts a strain on joints and the heart, contributes
Due to the sheer size of giant breeds, another to skin and respiration difficulties and ultimately
health sensitivity is joint problems. Joint deformities reduces life expectancy.
during the growth phase have been covered
already, but it may be beneficial to choose a food SUMMARY
which incorporates nutrients proven to support
To summarise, growth dramatically affects the
healthy joint function, such as glucosamine and
nutritional requirements of puppies and none more
chondroitin, green lipped mussels, turmeric and
so than with giant breeds. If adult dogs are to be
collagen.
of optimal size, form and health, it is imperative
that close attention is paid to nutrition from the
Finally, maintaining an ideal body weight right from
outset. The growth periods of giant breeds are
the start is vitally important for long-term health.
particularly sensitive, nutritionally. The best way
With obesity on the rise and being characterised
to ensure that the puppy will grow up to become a
by an expansion of white adipose tissue mass,
healthy adult is to feed a diet which supports rapid
understanding the way that fat cells react to
skeletal growth in the first eight months, and then
excess energy is important; in puppies, they
more gradually develops the muscles in the last
increase in number and never disappear. In adult
16 months. Inadequate or over-nutrition during
dogs they expand in size as a result of excess
growth can have catastrophic consequences in
calories. The more fat cells the puppy lays down
giant breeds and it is easier and more sensible
during growth, the harder it will be to maintain an
to avoid these problems by mindful choice of diet,
ideal body condition during adulthood. Perhaps a
rather than to try to correct deformities once they
good start would be to banish the term ‘puppy fat’
have occurred.
from our vocabularies, as overweight puppies are

53
K9 NEWS DIGITAL / DECEMBER 2020