Puppy Nutrition and Health-Who Should We Focus On and Why?
- Jeff Mizenko
- Feb 21
- 11 min read
Updated: Feb 21
When we began breeding, we discovered that ensuring Small Munsterlander puppies are strong and healthy involves more than we initially thought! It goes beyond having the right environment and supplies, understanding their developmental stages, and implementing socialization and rearing methods like Puppy Culture. In reality, none of these factors matter if the puppies are born malnourished or declining due to inadequate nutrition. Effective breeding should begin with proper nutritional care! Maternal and puppy nutrition should both be our primary targets, not just a sole focus on puppies.
Puppy Nutrition and Health-What's discussed
Maternal Nutrition
The Foundational Building Blocks For Small Munsterlander Puppies
Why Maternal Nutrition is So Important?
Have you ever heard the saying, "We are what we eat"? What if our puppies are shaped by what their mother consumes, or more precisely, develop based on what is passed to them through their mother in gestation and immediately following birth through the mother's colostrum? It is clear that only clinically healthy mothers should be used for breeding. It should go without saying, then, that females with chronic intestinal problems should not be included in a breeding program.
After consulting with trusted Small Munsterlander breed mentors and conducting online research, we've come to the conclusion that two diets should be considered for the bitch during maternal gestation. One diet is recommended from the start of gestation to 42 days, and another from 42 days until birth. The rationale behind this is complex but can be summarized by the growth stages of puppies during gestation below. The graph can help illustrate this point:
In the image above, the Y-axis (vertical) represents the mother's body weight as a percentage at the time of mating, while the X-axis (horizontal) indicates the day of gestation—from conception to day 63. As observed, there is minimal change in the mother's weight during the first 40 days—there's also little outward sign of pregnancy during this time too. However, around day 40, noticeable weight gain begins, as this is when the puppies start growing rapidly. How does this affect the mother's diet?
During the first 40 days, it's recommended to keep the mother on her regular health and maintenance diet to ensure her health and weight are optimal. A mother should be at her optimal weight. There are consequences if she is not—either side of the spectrum. After 40 days, it is recommended to increase this diet to assist in the puppies' development. As indicated in the chart, her energy intake should increase by 10% each week to support puppy growth. This is typically when we would shift to a higher energy Puppy Chow versus a balanced All Stage maintenance food to support this additional need.
In the initial 40 days, it's advised to maintain the mother on a consistent, balanced maintenance diet to keep her health and weight optimal. After this period, we enhance her diet to aid the puppies' development. As shown in the chart, her energy intake should rise by 10% weekly to facilitate this growth. Typically, this is the time we switch to Puppy Chow instead of All Stage food to meet the increased nutritional requirements.
Be mindful of the challenges often encountered when implementing this increase:
The expanding uterus is pressing against the stomach, making it difficult for the mother to consume more food.
Simply put the amount of food has increased, and she can't consume the extra portion.
Puppies after birth can be impacted by this as it directly affects the mother's nutritional balance, and the increased growth demands have a direct impact on milk production. If we fail to meet this need during gestation, the results often present us with puppies who are weaker and less active at birth. This can create greater risks with fading puppy syndrome. It also impacts nursing and the availability of adequate milk production.
How can we address these challenges?
Begin by providing the dam with smaller, more energy-dense meals more frequently throughout the day, starting on day 40, instead of the usual twice-a-day schedule. Ensure that the mothers receive complete, balanced nutritional meals before, during, and after gestation, including prebiotics and probiotics, as well as foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, protein, folic acid, and omega-3 fatty acids. Incorporate foods during gestation that help reduce free radicals and boost antioxidants in the uterus, such as blueberries, carrots, apples, and green-lipped mussels.
To reiterate, nutritional care shouldn't solely be centered on puppies. It requires attention to the mother before, during, and after birth, as well as to the puppies themselves. This focus must continue with both the mother and litter after birth as well. Lactation demands high energy, and the quality of the mother's colostrum is invaluable to the whole puppy. Pups that aren't properly nourished enough to latch are at high risk of being impacted by this for the rest of their lives. Puppy nutrition post-wean and into their first year will be explored next. The mother and her pups still have challenges ahead.
Puppy Nutrition
What's Essential For Growth and All Stages of Development
What's essential in maternal and puppy nutrition post whelp?
Puppies need to be healthy and active at birth to take advantage of the nutritional gold the mothers have to offer in the first 12 hours. This assumes mothers receive proper nutrition pre-pregnancy, during gestation, and also following birth. Lactating mothers must be able to sustain pups during lactation, which places a high demand on them for energy and milk. Pups must also be strong enough to nurse, especially immediately following birth. What are ways to determine puppy nutrition and general health at birth?
Activity level-Properly nourished pups are active and able to latch to their mother's teets.
Weight-Should be uniform in size across the litter. If not pay attention to those who are smaller. Puppies should loose only 10% of their birth weight into the first 24 hours. After that they should be gaining weight each day.
Temperature - Puppies cannot maintain their temperature at birth and during the first three weeks. Hypothermic puppies cannot process milk either. A newborn puppy's temperature at birth should be around 95°F to 99°F (35°C to 37.2°C), which is slightly lower than an adult dog's temperature and gradually increases as the puppy matures. If they are not active, latching, and at the right temperature, or are smaller than others in the litter, make sure to measure their temperature and warm them prior to feeding, especially if supplementing.
The reference to gold mentioned above pertains to maternal health and well-being, specifically the mother's colostrum. When mothers and pups are healthy and fit, the benefits are significant and enduring.
A mother's colostrum is essential for puppies as it delivers a concentrated supply of antibodies and important nutrients, effectively granting them passive immunity against illnesses while their immune systems are still maturing. This is crucial for their survival and initial health during the first few days of life.
Key benefits of colostrum for puppies:
Immune protection: Colostrum is rich in antibodies that safeguard puppies against infections they may face during their early development.
Nutritional support: It provides essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that are easily absorbed by newborn puppies.
Growth factors: Colostrum contains growth factors that aid in the healthy development of organs and tissues.
Gut health support: The elements in colostrum can aid in developing a healthy gut microbiome in puppies.
Important points to remember about colostrum:
Early access is essential: Puppies must nurse and consume colostrum within the initial hours after birth to fully benefit from it. Fun fact, not all teets deliver the same benefits relative to colostrum. Take away, move them around.
Limited duration: The mother produces colostrum for only a brief time following childbirth. Early benefits of colostrum don't last forever so be diligent the first 12 hours.
Other aids that can be used to help in nutritional evaluation and to support healthy gut flora in pups:
Neonatal growth weight chart: It is essential to track puppies growth each day. We in fact measure it two times per day for the first week. We typically compare our data to a medium breed neonatal puppy growth chart and previous litters to track progress.
Commercial probiotics: Choose dog-specific probiotic strains for puppies to balance intestinal flora, prevent harmful bacteria overgrowth, and support gut health. Probiotics, if necessary, are particularly advantageous during nutritional weaning when the digestive system is still maturing. We also offer these to the mother during the 63 days prior to birth. The mother's colostrum however should always take precedent over probiotic supplementation and the timing of this supplementation should be more towards weaning and only if it is necessary.
Free feeding of the bitch: The goal is to help the bitch maintain weight and energy during lactation, the most nutritionally demanding stage, which can deplete body reserves. This should again be Puppy Chow, not normal maintenance food.
When necessary, supplement with a milk replacer: If the puppies start weak, are falling behind, or lose weight compared to their peers, bottle or tube feeding is crucial. We've typically chosen Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer in the past, but we are seriously considering Breeder's Edge Foster Care going forward as it contains an IgY source made with dried egg products that work with the microorganisms in the gut to rebalance the intestinal microflora in puppies' developing gut. It also includes Bio-Mos; see description below:
Watch for Early Signs of Imbalanced Gut: Imbalance presents in two ways, diarrhea or constipation. If noted and it persists, especially as the mother's colostrum influence starts to wane during the transition from weaning to solid food, consider a balanced approach of prebiotic supplementation. Remember that puppies' microbiomes are developing and fragile. Just like with Early Neurological Stimulation, more isn't always better.
Wellness, Physical Activity, and Sustained Development
Assuming the mother is properly fueled, the puppies arrive healthy and active and increase daily in growth and weight. Less day 2 post-whelp, they transition to solid food without signs of diarrhea or constipation. You should feel empowered by a job well done. We still need to make sure wellness continues well into their first year, however. This requires the education of buyers relative to nutrition and exercise to ensure sustained and proper development until the puppies reach adulthood, epiphyseal growth plates close, immune systems have developed, and handlers have shaped and nurtured their pediatric dog.
Puppies grow fast from neonates at 40+ days, all the way through to adulthood which typically arrives for Small Munsterlanders, between 8 and 14 months of age. This obviously varies with breed size. Here's what matters most nutritionally, physically and developmentally during from neonatal to pediatic time frames:
Neonatal to Pediatric Nutrition in Puppies: The Building Blocks of Growth
Calcium and phosphorus are critically important in the first year. These minerals collaborate to develop strong bones. However, excessive supplementation can be as detrimental as a deficiency.
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid vital for the neurological and retinal development of puppies. It supports cognitive function, learning ability, and vision, and is crucial for long-term brain health. Puppies cannot synthesize DHA effectively, so supplementation through maternal milk or DHA-enriched diets is crucial. Adequate DHA intake improves problem-solving skills and trainability, making it key for optimal growth and development.
Rapid growth requires a balance puppy food throughout the first year. High energy means high protein. Some breeders suggest going to all stage food right away. We've encouraged this to prevent dogs from becoming overweight due to lack of exercise. Insufficient amounts of protein can result in stunted growth, whereas excessive amounts may cause skeletal problems do to excessive weight. Puppies need plenty of protein for muscle development. Balance is the key.
Stages of Development:
Puppyhood should be regarded as more than one vague stage to adulthood. In reality, there are three essential phases between being a puppy and becoming an adult. Each phase presents unique challenges and opportunities.
There are three states of development to consider as your puppies grow:
The initial stage is neonatal, spanning from birth to 3 to 4 weeks. This period is crucial and delicate for puppies. Breeders often encounter challenges such as temperature regulation, hypoglycemia, and dehydration during this time. Puppies are unable to care for themselves, relying on their mothers and breeders for constant monitoring to ensure they remain warm, are nursing, and gaining weight. Any failure in these areas can be life-threatening or life enduring.
The second stage is weaning, spanning weeks 4 to 8. Proper weaning is essential for healthy development. This crucial phase involves exploration, socialization, and the transition from milk to solid food. It should be a gradual process that helps the pup adjust physically and behaviorally. If hurried, it can result in a weak foundation, potentially causing lifelong digestive issues, socialization challenges, and nutritional deficiencies.
The final stage is pediatric which spans from week 8 to adulthood. During this stage growth in bone, muscle, and the immune system dominate. Puppies should also be shaped behaviorally. Nutrition and buyers are the primary movers and shakers at this stage. Socialization also peaks during this stage and should not be overlooked. In fact research shows that the socialization window of opportunity often closes at 12 weeks. When we reach the conclusion of this phase puppies should be transitions to an all stages balanced diet.
Physical Development:
As mentioned earlier puppies really start to grow during gestation around the 40 day mark. They don't stop until roughly 12 months of age or more. How me manage this growth in gestation and during the first two stages of development have already been discussed. What about after weaning and during the pediatric stage. What about exercise?
Let's discuss exercise first. Well, to start go easy. Too much exercise is risky, especially sustained long term exercise. On the flip side of that too little exercise is also a problem.
Puppies need a balanced approach to movement to develop properly.
Steer clear of high-impact activities. Restrict stair access, steer clear of slippery floors, and avoid long runs, as these can put stress on growing bones and joints.
Supervised play is crucial. Puppies enjoy roughhousing, but playing without supervision with larger dogs (or overly excited children) can result in injuries that may permanently impact their skeletal development.
Obesity is a set up for joint problems. Excess weight stresses developing joints, heightening the likelihood of osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal deformities.
Extra weight puts pressure on developing joints, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal malformations.
Exercise and joint development can be impacted by nails that are too long. So make sure to manage nail length throughout their lives, not just from neonate through pediatic growth period. This is often overlooked and detrimental to proper joint development or adult dogs in general.
What about pediatric food:
What to feed, how much, and when? Dog food, oh..., such a deep bowl of kibble or raw delight.
It's crucial to comprehend the importance of these three essential nutrients—protein, fat, and calcium—when selecting a diet for your developing puppy. If you go raw be careful to balance the diet appropriately including vitamins.
Protein: After weaning, puppies have the greatest protein needs, but this requirement gradually declines over time. Protein is crucial not only as an energy source but also for supplying essential amino acids and for the development and maintenance of lean tissue.
Fat: Fat provides essential fatty acids and serves as a concentrated energy source. It also aids in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Calcium: Puppies require more calcium than adult dogs, because they require calcium for growth and development of their skeletons. Excessive calcium can also be a problem and can contribute to growth abnormalities. It is important to select a diet that specifies it is designed to meet the nutritional levels established for the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for your breed of puppy.
These are merely three of the many nutrients crucial for developing puppies. To guarantee that you are providing food that fulfills your puppy's nutritional needs, look for a nutritional adequacy statement (AAFCO statement) on the label, which indicates that the food has been designed to meet growth requirements. Food formulated for all life stages is also suitable for growth.
After choosing a suitable food, do not provide extra vitamin or mineral supplements without consulting your veterinarian. A specially formulated puppy food should contain all the nutrients your puppy requires. Once a pediatric dog has matured to a full and healthy size we move to a All Stages diet. Again this should contain all nutrient required to maintain health and balance.
Jeff Mizenko
Cedars Point Kennel
Summerset, SD
425 241-7788
Jeff Mizenko is the owner of Cedars Point Kennel in Summerset, SD. He's a late onset hunter, aspiring trainer, husband, and breeder of Small Munsterlanders. He loves adventure and acquiring life experience.
Comments