Puppy Growth Food
My question
is do I feed a premium puppy growth food to a Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel puppy? A good many of the breeders are against a growth food
because they say it has too much protein, and this will escalate the
problems of hip dysplasia that seem to be all too common in this breed.
My vet thought puppies need the extra ingredients in a puppy formula, but
she was not very familiar with this breed of dog and its particular
problem. I also am struggling with which brand is best? I am leaning
toward Wysong, but understand they may have problems with labeling and
might not be able to sell if they don't get this cleared up soon. Are
there any good studies or articles on these issue
The nutritional requirements of different breeds vary tremendously. Small, high energy breeds have certain needs which differ from calm, large breed dogs. Also, within one breed, dogs have different personalities with considering differing nutritional needs. This creates a marketing nightmare for the dog food companies. They cannot make a different food for every type of dog, so they compromise, and try to suit the needs of the average dog. This is why so many different brands are available. What works well for one pet owner, may not be good for another.
Growing puppies, in all breeds, have different requirements than adults. Puppies need more protein, more energy, and more calcium for proper growth and development. In some cases, puppy foods can be over-fortified with vitamins, minerals and proteins, causing leg bone deformities. Over-fortification is very rare in the top name brand dog foods. Maintenance dog food is definitely insufficient for a growing puppy. Therefore, you should feed a puppy food of a top name brand dog food. For the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies, their bones grow until they reach ten or eleven months of age. They should eat puppy food until their skeleton is fully developed. As a faster growing, smaller breed, with strong, shorter legs, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are much less likely than Shepherds and larger breeds to have developmental problems like hip dysplasia.
In general, the top name brands, made by the older, larger companies are much better and more reliable than the newer brands. The large pet food companies, such as Purina, Carnation, Hills, Wysong, Waltham, APD and Iams, have done extensive research in attempt to create the perfect dog food. Any of these brands would be an excellent choice for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
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