Feeding & Nutrition

Small dog food Small-breed dogs (<10kg) have higher ratios of surface area to body weight than larger breed dogs. They have a higher metabolic rate because of this ratio, therefore they have higher energy requirements. As a result, you should be feeding an energy-dense food containing more calories in a smaller volume than larger breed dogs. Some small breeds can also be picky eaters, so it is a good idea to feed thema highly palatable food. Energy density is a key factor in choosing the optimal dog food, but it also is important to consider the food’s nutrient content. Your dog’s nutritional health means receiving the proper proportion of required nutrients for their particular life stage. Protein, fat and carbohydrates are the key energy-producing nutrients, but dogs also need specific vitamins and minerals. Water should always be available, as it ensures appropriate hydration, helps regulate body temperature, and is fundamental at a cellular level for every process in the body. To compare nutrients in dog foods, you should always subtract the level of water already present in food. For example, dry food generally contains about 10 percent water, and wet food contains upward of 60 percent. The nutrients are contained in the dry ingredient portion of the food. Nutrient levels are expressed as a proportion of metabolizable energy, or energy that is ultimately available for the dog to use. Feeding a food that is appropriate for your dog’s life stage is imperative. Small-breed puppies are considered adult anywhere from 9 to 12 months old depending on the breed, while large and giant breeds may not fully mature until they are 18 months to 2 years old. Adult dogs should be fed to maintain ideal body condition. Variables that impact their energy requirement, and therefore their body condition, include age, gender, metabolism, reproductive status including neutering, activity level, and general environment. At around age 7, dogs start to enter into their senior years. This is marked by internal physiological changes that may not be apparent externally, such as a slowing down in the efficiency of the brain to metabolize glucose, the primary energy source. Senior dogs are also more at risk of both obesity and weight loss, so it is vital to maintain muscle mass while minimising fat gain. You canachieve this by feeding a diet with appropriate protein and fat levels. Choosing the right food for your small-breed dog is a revolving job. The right choice depends on his life stage, lifestyle and changing nutritional needs. Your ability to balance the energy density of your dog’s food to the energy needs of your dog will help promote a healthy life. It is important to follow the feeding guidelines relative to your dog’s individual needs and to perform a monthly body condition score. Feeding to Ideal Body Condition Please be mindful that feeding guidelines are suggested amounts based on their average energy requirements. Some dogs may need more or less food than suggested due to their individual status and activity level. Regularly examine your dog’s physique and monitor his body condition. That is the best way to determine how well your dog’s diet meets his activity level. If your dog has a full coat, you should get under the coat. This means putting your hands on the dog and feeling its ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs without excess fat. When you look down at a dog from above, his waist should be apparent behind the ribs in an hourglass shape. Finally, when viewed from the side, your dog should have a tummy tuck with a smooth, upward graduation from just behind the ribs to under the pelvis. The amount of food fed should be adjusted up or down to maintain the dog in an ideal body condition throughout your dog’s life.

Dogs love to chew. So as owners research appropriate ways to channel this behavior, they may wonder, "Are rawhide bones bad for dogs?" Some are. But you can find rawhides that are healthy for your dog. Keep reading to learn what to look for in rawhide for your dog. Do dogs need to chew? They do! Dogs have an instinct to chew on things. So, a chewed-up shoe or gnawed furniture leg isn't your dog acting out. He's satisfying his need to chew. Giving him a rawhide can be a good way to redirect his behavior (and keep your belongings safe). What is rawhide? Rawhide is the skin of animals such as cattle or pork that is removed, dried and prepared for your dog to eat. Rawhides come in different shapes, sizes and sometimes has added flavor. Why is some rawhide bad for dogs? Companies with subpar quality and safety standards can make rawhide that is bad for dogs. "There are chemicals used in the process of removing the hide. Good quality rawhides have been washed and cleaned,” explains Purina Senior Nutritionist Jan Dempsey. But not all companies remove those chemicals as part of their production process. Other ways rawhide can be harmful to dogs include: • Bacteria-if it is not manufactured responsibly • Choking-if eaten in large chunks or swallowed whole • Digestive upset-if your dog’s system is sensitive How can I be sure rawhide is good for my dog? There are a few things to check that indicate rawhide is good for your dog. • Check out the manufacturer • Look at size • Observe your dog chewing “If the rawhide is not good quality or from a recognizable company that has good quality control procedures, it could have contamination,” says Dempsey. The process that companies use to gather and prepare rawhide is key when determining if rawhide bones are right for your dog. Another way to make sure rawhide is good for your dog is to look at the size. “You want rawhide that is big enough to easily chew,” explains Dempsey. You know your dog’s habits, including how he chews and eats. Take that knowledge and think about what shape and size could be appropriate for your dog. Rawhides are meant to be eaten over time, which means they get smaller gradually. “You don’t want rawhide to be so small it can become a choking hazard or they haven’t chewed it enough and it becomes a blockage,” says Dempsey. Is rawhide safe for puppies? Puppies can try a rawhide. But wait till they are about 6 months old. Their mouths are not fully developed and a rawhide may be too hard for them.

A balanced diet is essential for your dog’s long-term health. To ensure they get one, you need to be aware of the following. SIX OF THE BEST To help them lead an active, healthy life, your dog’s diet needs to have the right balance of the six major nutrient groups: • Proteins • Fats and oils • Minerals • Vitamins • Carbohydrates • Water Unless your dog is pregnant or nursing, or suffering from a particular condition, there is no reason to change their food from the early days of adulthood until the end of the sixth year when your dog reaches ’senior’ status. Dogs have different nutritional needs from humans. Whereas we are advised to eat fresh fruit and vegetables to provide vitamin C, the bacteria in a dog’s stomach produces enough vitamin C so they don’t need any more in their diet. Dogs are not true carnivores and can’t exist on meat alone. A high-quality commercially prepared dog food like PRO PLAN® has been carefully formulated to provide the proper balance of all the nutrients a dog requires, as well as tasting good. DOG NUTRITION IN A NUTSHELL Ideally, dogs need a combination of meat, cereals and vegetables to get the right nutritional balance. WHAT A DOG NEEDS Protein Proteins, made from amino acids, are the building blocks of the body. The proteins you feed your dog (like chicken, lamb or salmon) are responsible for releasing energy and forming muscle, skin, hair, antibodies, enzymes, haemoglobin and hormones. Fats Fats and oils provide the ‘fuel’ your dog needs to stay active – supplying more than twice as much energy as protein and carbohydrates. Fats and fatty acids are essential for good skin and coat condition and a healthy immune system. Fats are also important in improving the taste and digestibility of food. Carbohydrates Common carbohydrates like cereals and rice are an excellent energy source. Fibre also supports the digestive process. Minerals Minerals, such as calcium and phosphorous, are essential for strong bones and teeth, cell and tissue development, fluid balance and metabolic processes. Minerals must be carefully balanced; an excess of one can lead to a deficiency in another. Vitamins Vitamins are required in small amounts to help maintain growth, a healthy skin and coat, and to support the immune system. Too much of certain types can be harmful, while a deficiency in others can be equally damaging. Fat-soluble vitamins, (A, D, E and K) are stored in your dog’s fatty tissues, whereas water-soluble vitamins (B-complex and C) are excreted in the urine. Unlike humans, dogs do not require a dietary source of vitamin C. Water Water is essential for all living things and dogs are no exception. The amount of water dogs need depends on several factors, including air temperature, exercise levels and whether or not they are eating canned or dried food. Water regulates the body’s temperature, transporting nutrients around the body and removing waste. You should make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh drinking water at all times. WHAT NOT TO FEED YOUR DOG If you prepare some of your dog’s meals from scraps or specially purchased meat, take care. These diets are often too high in meat and not rich enough in other important nutrients and minerals, like calcium. On top of that, some common human foods such as rhubarb, soya, onions, grapes, spinach, beetroot and undercooked maize or kidney beans are poisonous to dogs. Chocolate can be extremely harmful, and should never be fed to your dog. As little as 60g of cooking chocolate can kill a medium-sized dog! For more information on a balanced diet for your dog please contact our Purina Pet Care Advice Teamhere.

Some dogs may experience sensitive digestion, and might need a food that can provide them with a nutritionally balanced diet, without giving them an upset stomach. Your dog deserves to have a healthy digestive system. When he is given all the nutrients he needs, along with a tasty meal, you’ll know about it! He’ll be thriving, energetic and bursting with life. For your dog to be healthy and living life to the full, a sensitive diet may be required. A healthy digestive system will absorb the nutrients from food and turn them into energy. This energy will help to enable your dog’s protective immune cells to create a barrier between him and any harmful microbes and toxins. All in all, a healthy digestive system will give your dog a happy and fulfilling life. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR DOG HAS A SENSITIVE STOMACH? If your dog’s stools are consistently soft or poorly formed, your dog may have a sensitive stomach. Occasional diarrhoea and loose stools are normal for dogs, usually due to a microflora imbalance. However, if this is a frequent occurrence, a sensitive stomach could be the cause. This may be a sign of a food intolerance or an allergy. If you think this could be the case for your dog, get your vet to examine your dog. There are lots of different types of dog foods for dogs with sensitive stomachs which could be more suitable for your pet. For more information, consult your vet. For more information on caring for your dog’s sensitive digestion please contact our Purina Pet Care Advice Teamhere.

There has been a recent trend towards products and diets which target a specific breed of dog. The idea of feeding a food, which is apparently designed just for your dogs breed, may be very appealing to some owners. But is breed specific nutrition really the answer? PUPPIES COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES! All puppies have an enormous amount of growth to accomplish during a relatively short period of time. The difference between large/giant dogs and smaller sized dogs is the rate at which they grow. Small-size breeds can be considered mature as young as six months but are generally considered to be adults by 12 months, while medium-size dogs attain mature size at approximately 12 to 16 months of age and the large and giant breeds types reach mature adult size between 18 and 36 months of age. It is the growth rate differences that have implications for the type of diet that is fed, the feeding practices that are used and how and what type of exercise can be introduced into a puppy’s life. High-quality puppy food like PRO PLAN® OPTISTART takes the weight of the dog at maturity into account and the size-based formulas are designed to help dogs of different sizes grow and develop at the rate most appropriate to their fully grown size, regardless of whether they are purebred or mixed breed dogs. WHAT ABOUT OTHER GENETIC DISORDERS? Veterinarians and scientists agree that there are genetic differences between breeds which result in a predisposition to certain diseases. For example, it is well known that Beagles are more likely to have hypothyroidism as they age than Chihuahuas and miniature Poodles have more eye problems than Great Danes. However, veterinarians and scientists know that these persistent breed differences are the result of ill-planned breeding and genetic mutation and rarely influenced by nutrition. Genetic diseases which can be influenced through nutrition include: diabetes, certain gut diseases or insufficiencies, certain skeletal diseases and a few skin diseases but these diseases most often require very specific therapeutic diets which can only be prescribed by a veterinarian. There are some health conditions which can be based on the phenotypic expression of genes and the environment. For example, many small dogs have a predisposition to dental problems because they have too many teeth or have retained puppy teeth and this can be exacerbated by eating habits. The same is true for other bone diseases. Large dogs may be predisposed to osteoarthritis, however, the lifestyle that a dog has will dictate the age at which symptoms may become clinical. As the average age of dogs shifts upwards, the incidence of osteoarthritis continues to increase, regardless of breed. Skin disease, like gut disease, is a general term which encompasses disease of genetic and environmental origin. There are some dogs which are more predisposed to skin disease than others; however, most skin diseases can manifest in any breed of dog. Finally, bloat or Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV) has long been regarded as a disease of certain breeds of dogs; however, new research shows that not only is environment and lifestyle a component of the predisposition of bloat, but also mental well-being. Dogs that are nervous or under stress will be more likely to bloat than “happy” dogs. Placing dogs in categories based on breeds is easy, convenient and a helpful way to for pet food companies to assist owners in choosing a pet food. However, there is not sufficient clinical data available that supports breed specific nutrition. Currently veterinarians and nutritionists agree that maintaining a cat or dog in ideal body condition and providing the type of complete and balanced high-quality nutrition that reputable pet food manufacturers offer is the most effective way of keeping your pet happy and healthy for many years to come. For more information please contact our Purina Pet Care Advice Teamhere.

There are some dogs that simply use more energy every day, whether because of their temperament, their job or their owner’s lifestyle. Rather than just feeding them more and more food to keep up with their increased energy needs, it is better to provide them with a special diet that is highly digestible and energy dense. PRO PLAN® Performance is the perfect choice for your high energy dog because it contains more calories in every mouthful than regular PRO PLAN® adult dog formulas. PRO PLAN® Performance is formulated with higher protein levels to nourish muscles, a higher fat level to provide a high power energy source, anti-inflammatory Omega 3 fatty acids and contains high quality chicken. WHAT TYPE OF DOGS MAY BENEFIT FROM PRO PLAN® PERFORMANCE? If you enjoy an active lifestyle and like to exercise with your dog every day, or your dog participates in sport like agility or sheepdog trials, it is likely they will require specialised nutrition such as PROPLAN Performance to keep them in ideal body condition Some dogs have a faster metabolism or a more nervous temperament, which means they burn more calories just doing everyday things and keeping condition on them is harder. Dogs with jobs that require them to be very active, such as police dogs, working farm dogs or search and rescue dogs, will often need a higher energy diet. Dogs with short coats that live outdoors, may need extra nutrition to stop them losing weight during the coldest months of winter. PRO PLAN® Performance is an All Life Stage formula, which means it is also suitable for pregnant or nursing bitches and for feeding puppies. For more information on highly active dogs please contact our Purina Pet Care Advice Teamhere.

If you ever need to change your dog’s brand of food – be it for nutritional, medical or life-stage reasons – it’s important to make the transition as smooth as possible. CH-CH-CH-CH CHANGES There are a host of reasons why you may need to move your dog onto a different food: nutritional requirements alter as dogs get older; a medical condition may require a special diet; and occasionally dogs get fussy and just go off their usual brand. Because dogs can often be sensitive to changes in their diet, try to make the transition as smooth as possible. A slow transition process will help your dog to more easily digest the carefully formulated ingredients and nutrients of the new brand by naturally adjusting the enzymes in the digestive tract. MAKING THE SWITCH Start by mixing the new food with your usual brand, then gradually increase the proportion over one week to 10 days, until your dog is only eating the new food. Don’t be surprised if your dog has an upset tummy to begin with. This is not unusual. Day 1:Add one part of the new food to nine parts of your dog’s usual food. Day 2:Add two parts new to eight parts of the old food. Day 3:Add three parts new to seven parts old, and so on until… Day 7 - 10:You are only feeding the new food. CHANGING FROM CANNED DOG FOOD TO DRY Provide plenty of drinking water. There is naturally far less moisture in dry food. CHANGING FROM PUPPY FOOD TO ADULT FORMULAS Transition puppies to an adult formula at approximately 12 to 24 months, depending on the size the dog will be when fully grown. Large and giant breeds take far longer to mature. Don’t be tempted to switch too soon. CHANGING FROM ADULT DOG FOOD TO SENIOR Dogs of seven years and older should be fed a specially formulated senior food, designed to provide the optimum balance of key nutrients. Click here to check out our specially formulated senior range.

Our health checklist will help you monitor your dog for any signs of sickness or pain. MONITORING MATTERS Prevention is always better than a cure and your dog’s health is no exception. Every month you should check your dog carefully for early signs of illness. Just remember that some dogs are very good at hiding illness or pain, so you need to be vigilant. DOG HEALTH CHECKLIST • Body condition – you should just be able to feel the ribs and no more; there should be a “waist” between your dog’s ribs and hips and the belly should not sag. Watch for signs of weight loss or weight increase. • Ears – your dog’s ears should be clear of any thick brown or green wax with no smell. Some long-eared breeds benefit from regular ear cleaning with special ear cleaners. Be careful what you use to clean the ears – the skin is very sensitive – and don’t clean too deeply or vigorously, as the eardrum can be easily perforated. If in doubt, ask your vet for help. • Eyes – eyes should be bright and clear, with no signs of runniness, redness or soreness. Your dog should not shy away from light as if it hurts the eyes. Eye problems can sometimes be accompanied by flu-like symptoms. • Nose – Don’t be concerned if your dog’s nose isn’t wet and cold – it is common for healthy dogs to have dry noses. Instead make sure there is no crusting on the surface of the nose, runny discharges or bleeding. If you have any concerns, ask your vet for help. • Breath – bad breath is not just a cosmetic or social problem (we all know dogs with bad breath can be less than pleasant company). Bad breath can indicate a digestive problem or bad teeth, or gums which could potentially lead to organ problems if left untreated. Teeth should be white with no excess tartar, which looks thick and brown. The gums should be pink or black, not red or swollen. • Skin and coat – your dog’s skin can be various colours depending on the pigments normally found in the breed. The coat, meanwhile, should be thick (depending on breed) and shiny with no broken hairs. Your dog should be free of any scruffy dandruff or sores. Hair can be shed all year round, but it’s normally worse in summer and autumn – having a good vacuum cleaner is useful. Some breeds like poodles don’t shed, although they need clipping regularly. • Nails – these should be smooth and can be white or black. Nails that are roughened and break easily may require attention. When checking the nails, remember the dewclaws found on the inside of the leg just below the wrist. Some dogs have them on the front legs only; some have them front and back; and some don’t have any at all. • Digestion – keep an eye on your dog’s appetite – are there any noticeable changes? This can be very difficult to tell if the dog is new to you, or very fussy. There should be no sickness or choking when eating and stools should be a normal colour, with no diarrhoea, constipation or mucus (clear jelly) passed. • Thirst – if your dog suddenly becomes thirsty or starts drinking more than usual, consult your vet. • Attitude – your dog’s general attitude to life can tell you a lot. If you notice the head and tail are down, it usually means your dog is feeling under the weather. Poorly dogs can also skulk in corners, or even dig holes in the garden to lie in. If you’re worried, ask your vet’s advice. For more information on keeping your dog health please contact our Purina Pet Care Advice Teamhere.

Dogs have three main protective systems that work together to protect, support and promote health and wellbeing. These are the skin and coat, digestive (gastrointestinal tract), and immune system. The performance of each is interlinked to the other. Less than optimal performance in one often leads to adverse effects in the other systems. The skin and coat system is the largest organ in the body. The skin is the main organ through which the body interacts with the outside environment. The skin and coat have a variety of protective functions including providing a physical barrier for the rest of the body against the external environment. The digestive system works to protect the dog in two ways. The first is by digesting and absorbing essential nutrients that can be utilised by it and the other protective systems to promote overall health and wellbeing. Secondly, the digestive system plays an immunologic role to defend against bacteria and toxins that have entered the body from the outside world. In fact, the digestive system is the primary site for the body’s immune system response, containing as much as 70% of the body’s immune cells. The immune system is central to all the dog’s protective systems. It is a complex network in the body designed to provide the dog with protection against foreign invaders that can trigger disease, negatively impact health, or affect overall wellbeing. It is the role of the immune system to recognise invading agents and then repel or destroy them. Each of these three systems operates at its peak efficiency only when supplied with vital nutrients at an appropriate level from the dog’s diet. That’s why PRO PLAN®provides high quality food, made with high quality ingredients, that will help ensure constant replenishment of all the vital nutrients necessary for the protective systems to function at peak performance.

Nature, a highly cited interdisciplinary scientific journal, recently announced the discovery that novel adaptions allowing early ancestors of modern dogs to thrive on a starch-rich diet was a key step in the dog’s evolution from the wolf. The idea that dogs have evolved to eat starches – a carbohydrate fraction found in foods like wheat, corn and potatoes – is making waves among pet owners, as well as within the scientific community. Why? It challenges the rising belief that dogs should eat a limited diet, one that doesn’t include carbohydrate sources like wheat and corn. The belief that dogs shouldn’t eat starches has always perplexed the nutritionists at Purina, as our decades of research have consistently suggested the opposite. We even recently came out in support of therole of grains in a dog’s diet. Now, there is genetic proof that dogs evolved to eat grains. Reference: The genomic signature of dog domestication reveals adaptation to a starch-rich diet • Erik Axelsson,1Abhirami Ratnakumar,1Maja-Louise Arendt,1Khurram Maqbool,1Matthew T. Webster,1Michele Perloski,2Olof Liberg,3Jon M. Arnemo, • Åke Hedhammar6&Kerstin Lindblad-Toh1, 2 • Affiliations Contributions Corresponding authors Nature495, 360–364 (21 March 2013) doi:10.1038/nature11837 Received 01 July 2012 Accepted 11 December 2012 Published online 23 January 2013

Our Global Nutrition Philosophy We’re pet lovers ourselves, and we believe all pets deserve nutrition that goes beyond industry standards. From advancing the way kibble is made to employing over 400 scientists and nutritionists globally, we work continually to push pet nutrition forward for dogs everywhere. DISCOVER OUR GLOBAL NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY What Do Dogs Need to Thrive? Dogs, just like humans, have complex nutritional needs. It can be hard for owners to understand every facet of what their dog needs, but they needn’t look beyond their pet food. Purina complete pet foods provide a 100% complete and balanced diet for pets. At Purina, we reflect dogs’ natural needs using our quality ingredients. One common misconception is that dogs are carnivores. The reality is that even their wolf ancestors eat only 70% meat. Today’s dogs are omnivores, built to consume a more balanced diet – and that’s a good thing. Depending on the breed, dogs can live twice as long as wolves. To understand your dog’s needs, let’s look at his physiology: PHYSIOLOGY

Dogs can get food poisoning too, so to make sure it doesn’t happen to your pet, either use manufactured pet food or take note of our practical tips. SAFETY FIRST Your dog depends on you for a good diet and the right nutrition. So it’s important that you pay special attention to the quality and freshness of the food you provide. After all, food poisoning does occur in dogs. Illness from manufactured pet food, however, is very rare thanks to stringent quality assurance and safety checks throughout the manufacturing process. However, it’s always best to check the use-by date to ensure maximum freshness. You do it for yourself when out shopping, so why not for your dog, too? Starting with the selection of raw ingredients right through to warehousing and delivery, the manufacture of pet food is closely monitored every step of the way, and processes, additives, ingredients and product safety are all regulated. MANUFACTURED DOG FOOD – COOKING Regulated and automated, the cooking process kills off all living organisms present in the ingredients (bacteria and moulds). Cans and pouches are cooked by sealed-in pressure cooking. Dry foods are extruded (flash cooking a dough at high pressure) or baked. Finished products are segregated from the incoming raw materials to prevent cross-contamination. MANUFACTURED DOG FOOD – PACKAGING Canned foods are sealed to prevent any further contact with external micro-organisms or exposure to oxygen, which could cause spoilage. Lacquered linings for cans and the foil of pouches protect the food and metal from interacting. Damaged cans are at risk because the protection seal may have been broken, so look out for swollen cans and pouches. Dry foods remain fresh over many months because bacteria can’t grow and spoil food when moisture levels are low. Dry food packaging and the fatty coating of biscuits help prevent the entry of moisture and oxygen that can cause food spoilage during storage. Once opened, store dry foods covered in a cool dry place. Do not store moistened dry foods as moulds may grow, which can harm your pet. MANUFACTURED DOG FOOD – INGREDIENT SELECTION AND QUALITY Every ingredient used in commercially produced food must meet established levels of quality. Suppliers use standardised analytical techniques to ensure ingredients conform to regulations and are free of, or meet the minimal safe levels of, toxins and metals, as well as offering the correct nutrient content. Fallen animals or spoiled cereals are excluded from pet foods, as are certain organs like brain, spleen and spinal cord. Meats are delivered to factories frozen or chilled to ensure quality. Any additives used have to conform to regulations and be certified as safe. DOG FOOD SAFETY AT HOME Storage– Dry food should be stored in an airtight container, which keeps it tasty by sealing in aromas and keeping out bugs. You can leave a serving of dry food in the bowl, as it won’t spoil, but beware of attracting ants and rodents. Feeding– Place your dog’s bowl on a surface that is easy to clean, like a tiled floor or a mat. Feeding bowls should be made from metal (easy to clean), ceramic (not easily knocked over) or plastic (although these might get chewed and the teeth marks can harbour germs). Food safety-is about good feeding practice as well as hygiene. For example, don’t exercise your dog an hour before or an hour after feeding. Some dogs eat their food too quickly and are prone to choking, so raising their feed bowl and choosing a dry food that has larger pieces can help. For more information on dog food safety please contact our Purina Pet Care Advice Teamhere.