As with most mammals, early-stage development sets a tone for the remainder of your dog’s health life. For this reason, supplementation of a dogs’s food diet with extra needed vitamins or minerals can be necessary even in a puppy’s neonatal first month. Especially if the mother is unavailable to nurse, making sure that a puppy gets all nutrients necessary for prolonged health is a new pet owner’s priority.
The core nutrients needed in the early stages of puppy development include protein, calcium, phosphorus and the Omega Fatty Acids. Each plays a unique roll in supporting the rapid development that occurs in this stage of the dog’s health preparation for life. Protein is especially important as it’s necessary for the parts that are physically growing the most in the puppy phase i.e. bones/joints and muscles. Protein also supplements parts of puppy development that the we can’t see such as immune system and internal organ/brain growth. Providing ample protein to your puppy ensures that they survive a happy youth and maintain their health through adulthood and old age.
Certain nutrients are more required by one type of dog breed than another, so it is best if you check with your veterinarian regarding your specific puppy’s health needs. Also relevant is the background of your puppy. Even if you acquire a puppy at, say, three months of age it is important to know the health history, including living conditions, methods of breeding and general rearing practices. The first three days of a puppy’s life are most important for getting necessary nutrients, as well as the weeks that follow. For instance, take care if you are planning to ‘adopt’ a puppy from a ‘pet mill’ (often times your local pet store may get their puppies from such a place, and may not admit this fact if asked due to the shame that surrounds this particular ‘puppy source’). Puppies who spend their earliest, most delicate days, weeks or months in a ‘pet mill’ are rarely provided the necessary dietary and physical care required for a healthy long-term life. While the cost may seem enticing at the moment, do consider that the money you will save in such a puppy purchase will likely end in unnecessary and expensive veterinary and emergency pet health services.
If you are ‘in charge’ of nursing a puppy and the mother isn’t available there are many premium puppy milk replacers and supplements available. For instance, calcium may need to be supplemented in addition to the milk replacer (speak with your veterinarian regarding the best pet food options for your specific dog health needs). Once weaned from milk the requirement of premium-grade pet food is still prominent. Basic pet foods can contain grains that deliver Microtoxins and Vomitoxins (sounds like ‘vomit’ for a reason), substances that are not good for your dog’s health and can actually prohibit the absorption of any trace nutrients that a cheap pet food may actually contain! Spending money on high-quality pet food, and veterinarian-advised pet supplements can prevent health problems later on in your dog’s life thus saving your wallet in the long-term.
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