Nutrition for Small & Medium-Breed Adult Dogs
Selecting a Food
Switching to a Senior Diet
Not all small and medium-breed dogs have the same nutritional needs. Giving your dog a food specially formulated for his size and activity level is the easiest way to make sure he’s getting complete and balanced nutrition. A nutrient-dense formula will help make sure he’s absorbing essential nutrients even though his stomach may only accommodate what seems like a small volume of food.
Special Needs
Has your dog been neutered? Is he not getting enough exercise? Or is she about to have puppies? Special conditions like these dramatically affect your dog’s nutritional demands.
Less active dogs, or dogs who have been neutered or spayed, can be prone to weight gain. Controlling your dog’s weight is an important step toward protecting against the health effects of excess weight, such as diabetes or joint health problems. If you do use a light food, look for these ingredients:
- a reduced fat level that still offers essential nutrients for skin and coat health
- L-carnitine, a key nutrient that helps burn fat and maintain muscle mass during weight loss
- special carbohydrate blend that help maintain energy
- vitamin-rich fish oils for overall health.
Selecting a Food
Small adult dogs require a food that offers complete nutrients essential for health and vitality:
- vitamin-rich fish oils for a healthy skin, shine and overall health
- essential vitamins and minerals to help support the immune system and help maintain good health
high-quality animal-based protein sources to help maintain muscles
- a fibre source to maintain intestinal health, enhance your dog’s ability to absorb nutrients and reduce stool volume
special carbohydrate blends of select healthy grains to help maintain energy.
Switching to a Senior Diet
Unlike larger dogs who are considered mature at age 5, your small or medium-breed dog can remain on an adult diet until age 7. In fact, small-breed dogs tend to live longer and don’t experience the age-related changes as early as bigger dogs do. But it is critical to make a proactive transition to a specially formulated senior diet so you can help keep your dog healthy and active for years to come.
