Developmental Growth Disorders in Puppies
Proper nutrition is the best opportunity to keep your puppy healthy throughout her life. If you start her with good nutrition and give her adequate veterinary care from the beginning, her chances of developing a growth disorder are greatly reduced.
Tasty Tips
Growth disorders include abnormal posture, bowed legs, severe obesity, painful joints, muscle wasting, hip dysplasia and difficulty walking. If your puppy grows too fast, she may develop those symptoms.
Large or giant breed puppies (those who will weigh more than 25 kgs when fully grown) are the breeds most at risk for growth disorders. Other factors like environment, genetics and nutrition also play a part in your dog's risk.
Feeding your puppy the right food in the right way is essential to her proper development. How should you feed your puppy? Veterinarians recommend these options for better control of growth rate and body weight:
Meal restrictions - Dividing daily food amount into two to three servings
Time-restrictions - Giving food for specific time intervals
It's much easier to prevent growth disorders than treat them, so properly feeding your puppy the right food will be the best preventative measure you can take. For large and giant breed puppies, veterinarians recommend a food with restricted energy and calcium. Medium and small breed puppies benefit from controlled intake of a properly balanced growth formula.
For an accurate diagnosis and treatment options, always consult your veterinarian.
Related products
Perfect Weight & Joint Support Large Breed Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
This weight management and mobility support dog food was created with Hill’s unique understanding of the biology of overweight dogs
Adult Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food
Supports lean muscle and beautiful coat for adult dogs
Adult 7+ Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken, Carrots & Spinach Stew Dog Food
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Puppy Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Vegetable Stew
Gentle on stomachs while nourishing skin & supporting development in growing puppies
Related articles
Hill's Puppy Food: Quality Ingredients for Health & Nutrition
Selecting the right food for your puppy is a key to quality nutrition and a long, healthy life., Learn more about how to select the right puppy food.
Things You Can Do to Help Your Dog's Sensitive Stomach
A dog with a sensitive stomach has special needs. Learn more about sensitive stomach symptoms in your dog, what you can do to help sooth your pet’s insides and get recommendations on sensitive stomach dog food.
What to Feed Your Pregnant or Nursing Dog
Learn what you can feed your pregnant or nursing dog to keep her and her new pups healthy.
Helpful Tips for Exercising with Your Dog
Though it may seem like your four-legged friend loves nothing more than to nap on the couch, dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy just like people do.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.