Adopting a dog is a common way for humans to have company at home. Their active and cheerful behavior can be the source of stress release. However, dogs do not stay young forever. They have a lifespan that will inevitably change their behavior and physical movement. In this case, as a dog owner, you need to treat your dog based on its age and development to ensure it lives a healthier, longer life. Here is how to do it.
Dogs' Development Phases
To treat dogs well, you need to understand the developmental stage your dogs are currently in. Also, some stages occur differently depending on the breed type. Let's have a look at each development stage.
Early Stage Development: Milk Phase
If you adopt a dog from birth, you will have to face the early developmental stage. In this stage, a dog aged 0-2 months will be more focused on milk. They need a lot of nutrition from their mother. Milk from the dog's mother contains colostrum that is highly effective at building the dog's immune system.
However, if your dog is orphaned or the mother cannot nurse its puppy, you can also use a milk replacement that contains several nutrients, such as protein, fat, and omega-3 fatty acids. After 2 or 3 weeks, the dog will be able to eat other milk, such as warm water with mushy puppy kibble. Please do not give them complex vitamins that may upset their sensitive metabolism.
Puppy Stage Development: Active Stage
When a dog reaches age 2, it has already entered the puppy stage. Unlike in early life, during the puppy stage, they can eat a more varied diet and have a larger appetite. Puppies are usually at their most active time. They love running around, responding to your command, and bringing you cute things. To balance this energy, they need sufficient nutrients, including protein, fat, DHA, EPA, calcium, and phosphorus. High-quality protein and fat can restore energy; DHA and EPA help sharpen brain development; and calcium and phosphorus help strengthen bones and joints.
The calcium intake for specific breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds, should not be too high, as it can trigger excessive bone growth in those breeds. This results in joint problems in the future. Discuss with your veterinarian the appropriate amount of nutrients needed.
Adulthood Phase: Maintenance Phase
After the puppy stage, dogs reach adulthood around age 7. In this phase, their bodies are fully developed and function typically. They no longer need a booster for their growth. Instead, they need more maintenance. The maintenance of the dog depends on its breed. Smaller breeds usually age more slowly than larger breeds do. Dogs with bodies typically start on a maintenance diet. You need to pay attention to what they eat and their daily routine and to notice any signs of degeneration if required.
Smaller breeds tend to age more slowly, but they still age. Key nutrients for adult dogs include fatty acids (such as omega-3 and omega-6), high-quality protein, and fiber. Smaller dogs still need to eat twice a day, while some larger breeds only need one full meal a day.
Senior Phase: Longevity Stage
The phase after adulthood is the senior phase. The senior phase of a dog varies by breed. Here is the approximate age at which a dog enters the senior phase.
Smaller breeds (under or maximum weight 20 lbs): 10-12 years old
Medium breeds (between 20 and 60 kg): 8-10 years old
Large breeds (between 60 and 100 kg): 7-8 years old
Giant breeds (above 100 kg): 5-6 years old
Larger breeds tend to age faster due to their faster metabolism and higher energy expenditure. At the same time, smaller breeds may live longer. If your dogs are already in the senior phase, they start showing signs of aging and declining function.
They may walk more slowly, have hearing problems, sleep more, or eat less. During this stage, they are also more prone to disease and fatigue. Therefore, it is essential to keep their diets well-balanced.
Some of the nutrients needed by senior dogs are:
- Omega 3
- Glucosamine
- Vitamin D
- Lysozyme
- L-Carnitine
- NAD+ Booster
- Antioxidant
And many more nutrients supporting the dogs so they can do their activities and routine without any problems.
Tips for Nutrient Upgrades for the Dogs
After learning about each development stage of dogs, you understand that each phase has different nutritional needs. If you are still confused about which doses and/orwhich types of vitamins are needed, take some notes here.
Mix Real Food with Supplements
To meet daily nutritional needs, you can mix real foods with supplements. For example, dogs one year old or older are allowed to have their food mixed with vitamins. Give one meal mixed with one chewable vitamin. The chewable vitamins you can choose depend on the dog's needs. Whether it is to boost energy, make its coat shine, or strengthen its joints, choose only the right supplements.
Focus on High-Quality Protein
High-quality protein is needed at almost every stage of development. It differs from processed protein; high-quality protein often comes from real food, such as meat, chicken, and tuna. Especially if they are fresh (not canned), they boost the dog's energy while maintaining muscle mass.
Unlike calcium, which is not advisable for larger breeds, protein is needed from the puppy stage through the senior stage. Also, it helps slow down metabolism and burn more unnecessary fat in the dog's body.
Consult with a veterinarian.
Lastly, consult with the veterinarian about your dog's dietary needs. Each breed may have different nutritional needs. Therefore, if a veterinarian checks your dogs, you can determine which phase they are actually in, identify any remaining dietary needs, and conduct a general health check for each dog.
That is all about how to treat dogs based on their development stage. A dog owner should be able to detect it from an early age. From puppy to senior, they all have their own nutritional needs and unique treatment.
