Under what circumstances are they useful?

Vitamins, minerals, joint protectors, amino acids and essential fatty acids are marketed in the form of syrups, powder or tablets for our dogs and cats. But in what cases are identified?

Sensitive skin and dull hair

If your dog or cat is healthy but has a dull coat or lose so much hair, he is entitled to the beneficial action of vitamins A, B2, B5, B6 and PP play a role in protecting skin. Biotin or vitamin H promotes hair growth and healthy dermis. Essential fatty acids give the coat soft and shiny appearance and prevent dry skin. Finally, zinc, iodine, copper and the amino acid L-cystine “play a role in the synthesis of keratin. (more…)

FOOD SPECIAL: THE DOG AGED

According to his race, size and lifestyle, each dog has a different life. Thus the small or dwarf breeds regularly reach the 14/16 years and sometimes more.

Medium breeds often exceed 12 years, while large breeds rarely go beyond the 8 / 10 years and even less for giant breeds.

Aging also results in a different way in each individual according to these criteria.

The dog “senior” found mainly joint problems, kidney or digestive malfunctions, and a weakening of the teeth, and generally greater susceptibility to disease.

A balanced diet often delays the onset of these phenomena. (more…)

SPECIFIC FOOD – LARGE BREED PUPPY OF BREED OR GIANT

Until the age of 2 months, and unless complications of health, the puppy found in breast milk, or milk substitutes, all it needs for its development.

From two months, a complete food it consumes. It is said that the puppy is weaned.

For large breeds (25/40 kg) and up to 15/18 months of age, when one considers that growth is completed, the puppy will build and strengthen his bones and his muscles and his teeth adult. After an initial period of rapid growth (4 months) needs to stabilize.

For giant breeds (over 40 kg) the Croisances can last up to 24 months, sometimes more. During this period, the dog has multiplied his birth weight by 80 or 100, hence the importance of a healthy balanced diet.Large and giant breeds are aware of this fact more bone problems that small (dysplasia, growth retardation, etc. …). (more…)

SPECIFIC FOOD – PUPPY OR SMALL MEDIUM BREED

Until the age of 2 months, and unless complications of health, the puppy found in breast milk, or milk substitutes, all it needs for its development.

From two months, a complete food it consumes. It is said that the puppy is weaned.

Until the age of 12 months (+ or – depending on the template), when one considers that growth is completed, the puppy will build and strengthen his bones and his muscles and his adult teeth.

After an initial period of rapid growth (4 months) needs to stabilize.

His needs

It is necessary that his power to cover its needs: (more…)

They vary from one dog to another by:

Race

Dogs small, medium or large breed have different dietary needs. For example, a small breed puppy must receive a small amount ingested a diet a little richer than a large breed puppy. Depending on the nature, length of hair, race influence energy expenditure. Also, pound for pound, a German Mastiff requires more energy than Newfoundland.

Weight

A small breed dog requires more calories per kilogram of body weight, a large dog. (more…)

The 10 Commandments

Professor R. Wolter, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Maisons Alfort, focused in 1985 on basic rules of dog food.It has enacted the “10 Commandments” include:

Watering the dog

It should be sufficient. Drinking water, fresh, renewed, will be left in self-service dog, knowing that its average consumption is 60 ml per kilogram of body weight per day, and increases in puppies, lactating bitches, as warm climate and shift. (more…)

The puppy’s dietary needs are different from those of adults.

Indeed, in addition to maintenance requirements, the diet must provide the needs of weight gain (sometimes very important in large breeds).

Harmonious growth should allow in a few months to provide a solid framework of bone and muscle mass: this implies a balanced diet, high energy, high digestibility and biological value, plus protein, vitamins and minerals.

Food intake must be regular, it is necessary that food is palatable. (more…)

The nutritional needs for all dogs are divided into energy (carbohydrates, lipids), proteins, minerals and vitamins. The first need of the dog on its energy costs. Indeed, after water, energy components are those whose loss affects health more quickly the dog. The wealth of energy intake comes mainly from carbohydrates and lipids. Daily energy expenditure include those due to basal metabolism * (* energy expenditure of the animal when it is at complete rest), which represents 60% to 70% of total energy expenditure, which is compounded by the loss of Work-related muscular energy, digestion and thermoregulation.

The dog’s energy needs are of the order of 132 kcal ME / kg PV0.75 (ME: metabolisable energy – PV0.75: metabolic weight). (more…)