Dog Nutrition & Energetic Needs

The Male Dog: Unless it is the case of a much solicited stallion (for example, a breeding dog or a champion), the male that receives a balanced nutrition does not have specific energetic necessities. Nevertheless, the lack of some substances (like proteins, vitamin A, etc.) can provoke a bad shape, or a decrease in fertility.

The Female Dog
The gestating dog: Gestation lasts approximately 63 days. Beginning at the sixth week of pregnancy the females food necessities will increase. At that moment we will try to provide a larger contribution of proteins and increase the vitamins in 10%.

The female during breast feeding: Immediately after giving birth, the female starts to breast feed the puppies. The production of milk will evolve in function to the growth of the puppies and her own necessities. The mother's will increase to the point of tripling 21 days after giving birth. Dry food especially for females during breast feeding will guarantee all the quantitative and qualitative necessities of the mother. If the owner prepares the dog's food, he must try to enrich the food with proteins, minerals and vitamins through out breast feeding. If it were necessary, we will have to resort to complements.

The convalescent dog: When the animal has to get well after a surgical intervention or a problem that has weakened it, it is accustomed to put the dog in a diet. We recommend a water diet after an operation or after persistent diarrhea, so that the dog does not suffer of excessive thirst which could provoke new diarrhea and vomiting. We will gradually reintroduce water into their regime and we will also present small rations of food in regular intervals. This way the foods used will be fresh. If the dog can't take the food itself we can give it to it in the form of porridge.

The dynamic dog: These terms apply to some kinds of dogs but also to several physical activities. The necessities vary according to the animal, effort and surroundings. The following table can be of great help for the owners that would rather make their dog's food. Those who lean on industrial foods will have to look at the composition of their products. The election of one brand or another will be based on good digestibility of the food and the relationship between proteins and fats.

Activity Increase of the habitual energetic necessities 2 hours of activity/day (30° C) x 1.4(+ 40%) 2 hours of activity/day (20° C) x 1.2(+ 20%) 5 hours of intensive activity (20° C) x 1.5(+ 50%) 8 hours of normal but constant activity (20° C) x 1.5(+ 50%) Nervous dog (20° C) x 1.2(+ 20%) Hunting dog (10° C) x 1.3(+ 30%) 8 hours of normal but constant activity (0°) x 1.5(+ 50%) Sustained activity, like sled ride (< 0° C) x 2-4(+ 100-400%)