Special Nutritional Needs for Canines

At times your dog will need an extra high protein diet. Extremes in temperature, cold winters and sleeping outdoors are all things, which can necessitate your dog receiving a higher protein diet. Here are some other specific times when that little bit extra will go a long way.

Pregnant bitches. After the fifth week of pregnancy your female should be fed 1/3 to ½ more than their normal diet. They should also receive high quality proteins. As the pregnancy progresses feed your dog smaller more frequent meals to avoid your bitch feeling stuffed.

Orphaned newborn puppies. If you have a puppy that has not yet been wean you can feed him the following home made formula. 

1 cup of evaporated milk
¼ cup of warm water
2 eggs yolks
2 tablespoons of protein powder
Blend mixture in a blender until smooth and then feed to your puppy.
It is best to use a protein powder made from eggs or milk, as these help assure that your puppy gets the necessary amino acids.
Or you can use a commercial newborn puppy formula like Esbilac.

Young puppies. By the time your puppy is 4 weeks old he can begin eating a mixture of milk and baby cereal twice or three times a day.
If you introduce this new food to your puppy by letting him lick some off of your finger first he will probably take to it more readily. As he gets older you can add commercial puppy food mixed with mashed grains and milk to his diet.

Older dogs. Although most dogs have a life span of ten to fifteen years some dogs live into their 20s. You cannot control the genetic imprinting that your dog was born with but you can help your dog manage some of the negative affects of growing older through carefully controlling his diet. If you have an older dog you should take him for regular checkups to ensure that any organ or health problems are caught early on and proper attention given. There are a number of dog maladies associated with old age that can be alleviated through nutritional intervention. It is important to note that older dogs have a number of special nutritional needs. You should avoid giving them foods that are overly greasy, spicy or salty. Also you can feed them chicken and fish products in place of meat and meat products, as it is easier for them to digest.

Stressed, ill and convalescing dogs. Dogs who have been subjected to stressful situations or who have been sick recently should be given extra attention and may require added calories, proteins, vitamins or mineral supplements.

Here are some situations that can cause your dog to become stressed.

• surgery
• family conflict
• tail docking
• ear clipping
• melancholic owner
• new housing
• illness
• new household member
• construction or remodeling
• vacation
• disability
• new household schedule
• lose of household member or pet
• loss of privileged
• stay in kennel