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Eukanuba Dog Food
Nutrition for Large-Breed Adult Dogs
Not all large dogs have the same nutritional requirements. For instance, large dogs who are very active, stressed, pregnant or nursing have higher energy and calorie requirements. Here’s how to provide optimal nutrition for your large-breed dog:
Healthy Joints, Healthy Movement
Joint health is a foremost priority for large-breed dogs. It affects a dog’s ability to run, jump and move around comfortably. Maintaining optimal weight will lessen joint stress. Large dogs can also benefit from a breed-size-specific formula that contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, ingredients that nutritionally help maintain joint health plus cartilage resilience and strength.
Selecting a Food for Normally Active Large Dogs
If your dog receives most of his exercise through playing or taking daily walks, his diet should be formulated for a normal, or moderate, level of activity. To replenish nutrients and energy he uses every day, his diet should include:
- protein from animal sources such as chicken for maintaining muscle mass and strength
- less fat to help maintain optimal weight and minimize joint stress
- glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to help maintain joint and cartilage health
- optimal ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to support skin and coat health
- moderately fermentable fiber sources such as beet pulp to maintain a healthy intestinal tract
- special carbohydrate sources to help nutritionally manage normal blood sugar levels for sustained energy
- a unique blend of antioxidants, including beta-carotene and vitamin E, to support the immune system
These features are key to good nutrition.
Performance Dogs
Hunting dogs, law enforcement dogs, sled dogs, racing dogs, show dogs, even dogs that go along on daily jogs or backpacking trips—these are all performance dogs who expend a high level of energy in their daily activities. They need complete, balanced food that is calorically rich and nutrient-dense. Look for formulas with these features:
- high-quality proteins, such as chicken, that provide essential amino acids for muscle building
- fats from fish for energy and coat health
- excellent carbohydrate sources such as corn meal, barley and grain sorghum
Lower Activity and Weight Management
If your large breed dog’s daily activity consists of one walk or less, or if your dog has been neutered or spayed, he or she may be prone to weight gain. A low-fat formula can help control your dog’s weight—which can help protect against diabetes and joint health problems. For good results, look for weight-control formulas with these features:
a low fat level that still offers essential nutrients for skin and coat health
• L-carnitine, a key nutrient that helps burn fat and maintain lean muscle mass
• highly digestible carbohydrate sources to promote normal blood sugar metabolism
Pregnancy
Starting in the seventh week of her pregnancy, a mother dog will need to increase her energy intake by 50%, and it increase even more when she starts nursing her puppies. Because she may lose her appetite at times, it’s important that she eats a nutrient-dense food. A complete, balanced puppy formula can give her the extra nutrients she needs. But avoid puppy food created for large breeds since these formulas contain specially adjusted levels of energy and minerals which may not be sufficient for a pregnant or nursing dog.
Dental Health
You know the importance of protecting your dog’s teeth against tartar buildup. But traditional dental diet formulas have a potential shortcoming: they may stop working when the dog stops chewing. Look for dental diet formulas with micro-cleansing crystals that both scrub plaque away as the dog chews, and then embed in plaque after meals to keep blocking tartar buildup. These formulas contain a Dental Defense System that has been clinically proven to reduce tartar buildup.
Switching to a Senior Diet
Large-breed dogs are considered senior at age 5-6, so think proactively. Making the transition to a specially formulated senior diet at the right time can help keep your dog at peak performance as he ages.
Source: www.eukanuba.com
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