A dog’s age has a direct impact on his nutritional requirements, and also on his behaviour and activity levels. In this post we explain everything you need to know at each stage of his life: puppy, adult, and senior. Nowadays most domestic dogs live for between 10 and 14 years. Depending on the breed and the individual dog, some may live for 16 years or even longer. Both genetic factors and the care they receive from their human families influence life expectancy.
The puppy stage (the first year of life)
This stage comprises the first year of a dog’s life, and is the most important in terms of his physical and mental development.
Nutrition
Any nutritional deficiency during the first months of life can lead to irreversible problems in adulthood.
- Puppies start on solid food when they are three weeks old. Before this, they need their mother’s milk (or a commercial puppy formula milk). They should be weaned at around 7-8 weeks of age.
- Puppies need a food that contains sources of protein and carbohydrate that are easily digestible.
- DHA contributes to neural development in puppies, and improves their ability to learn.
- They need a high calorie intake: the puppy stage is when dogs have the greatest energy needs.
- Puppies need a diet that promotes optimal growth, with quality sources of vitamins, minerals and proteins. At Ultima we suggest you try our recipes for junior dogs, for small or medium to large sized dogs, ideal for the early stages of your dog’s development.
- It’s recommended that you feed your puppy 3 or 4 times a day - to stop him from bingeing, and to help him develop positive food related behaviour. It’s best to follow the portion sizes indicated on the pack.
At Ultima we recommend Ultima Junior, our new recipe adapted to the needs of your puppy. It consists of a nutritious mix of chicken and rice, sources of protein and carbohydrate that are easy for him to digest. Furthermore, it contains minerals and vitamin D that will help him to develop strong teeth and bones.
Behaviour and activity levels
A dog’s life experiences while he's a puppy will have a very powerful effect on his behaviour as an adult dog.
- During this first year of his life you need to keep a close eye on your puppy, as his need to explore, combined with his lack of experience, could put him in danger (make sure he’s not chewing up any electrical cables, eating indigestible things or poking his nose into dangerous places).
- The most important point is that this stage is what’s known as the sensitive socialisation period. From three weeks until three or four months of age, all the experiences your dog has, with other dogs, with people, things, noises, etc. will have a powerful and lasting influence on his character when he reaches adulthood. So you need to take advantage of this, and be sure to give him the most positive experience possible.
- Furthermore, the first year is when you need to lay the foundations for training your puppy.
Adulthood (from 1 to 7 years of age)
This is the longest period in a dog’s life. Adopting healthy habits will help you to keep him fit and happy.
Nutrition
- An adult dog needs an optimal level of protein in his diet in order to maintain healthy muscle mass.
- Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids, together with biotin and zinc which are important for a healthy skin and a shiny coat.
- His food needs to include sources of protein and carbohydrate that are easy to digest.
- Sticking to the portion sizes indicated on food packaging is the best way to avoid weight problems and obesity.
In order to choose a diet that adapts to your dog’s particular needs, check out the Ultima range of recipes, formulated for small or medium and large dogs.
You’ll find specific recipes for small adult dogs (up to 10 kg), whose metabolism is not the same as that of large breeds. Ultima Small Adult with Chicken is a balanced recipe with proteins, vitamins and minerals that help to maintain vitality. And it also helps to reduce tartar build-up thanks to the combination of vitamins, minerals and aloe vera, as well as the specially sized kibble.
If your dog is large or medium-sized (over 10 kg) the perfect food is Ultima Medium-Maxi Adult with Chicken, which contains minerals, vitamins and a combination of ingredients that helps to keep bones and joints healthy.
Behaviour and activity level
We’ve already said that a dog’s age shapes his behaviour. When he reaches adulthood your dog’s character will be fully formed, although this doesn’t mean that the future experiences he may have won’t have any impact on him.
- Dogs are social animals, so do allow yours to meet other dogs and people, and don’t leave him alone all day.
- An adult dog needs to go out for walks every day, as his walks are both physically and psychologically stimulating for him.
- Make time to play with your dog each day; this will strengthen the bond between the two of you.
- If you see signs of over attachment, fearfulness or aggressivity in your dog (towards other dogs, people, etc.), don’t ignore it - get in touch with a canine ethologist.
Senior dogs (7 + years old)
From the age of seven onwards, age starts to be an important factor, impacting on your dog’s health, activity levels and behaviour.
Nutrition
At this important stage it’s essential to choose a diet that will help to keep him healthy as he gets older and isn’t quite as strong as he used to be. The important aspects of nutrition for your senior dog are:
- A moderate calorie and fat content, with fibre and L-carnitine: old dogs have a tendency to put on weight, so a food that helps to keep this under control is beneficial.
- That it’s easy to digest: you should look for a diet that includes easily digestible sources of protein and carbohydrates.
- Quality proteins: Geriatric dogs lose lean muscle due to age, and this is why protein is such an important part of their diet - it helps them to maintain muscle mass.
- Palatability: as they get older, some dogs lose their interest in food. Choosing a tasty diet helps to boost their appetites.
- Omega 3 fatty acids, chondroitin and glucosamine, antioxidants and magnesium: geriatric dogs can also suffer from bone and joint disorders, and so benefit from a food that helps to maintain healthy joints and bones.
When choosing a diet adapted to the needs of your senior dog, Ultima recipes are an excellent choice for the benefits they provide. There are formulas both for large older dogs, and for small ones.
Behaviour and activity level
It’s at the senior stage in their lives that dogs start to show changes in behaviour that are directly related to physical aging.
- Older dogs don’t need to burn as much energy as they did at other stages in their lives. Even so, they still need those daily walks to help them to stay fit.
- Cognitive stimulation: it’s important to play with your dog and present him with little challenges each day to keep his mind active.You could also try playing a version of ‘find the lady’ by hiding a piece of kibble.
- Alzheimer’s in dogs: in veterinary medicine, the term cognitive dysfunction syndrome is used to describe something similar to Alzheimer’s that affects dogs. The main warning signs are disorientation, loss of cognitive ability, lack of hygiene and reduced activity. If you think that your dog may be suffering from this syndrome, consult your vet immediately.
It’s clear that the best way to take care of your four-legged canine friend is, of course, to give him back all the love he gives you - but not only this: you also need to take into account the specific needs that he has at each stage of his life.