When raising dogs, owners may encounter some questions. Sometimes, when seeing that small dogs need supplementary nutrition, they wonder if it is the same for large dogs. The answer is no; below is some information to understand.

Do dogs of different body sizes need the same nutrition?

According to differences in body size and growth stage, the specially required nutrients are also different:

     1. Small dogs have small body sizes and therefore require less daily calorie intake than large dogs. Also, their jaws are not suitable for biting very coarse or large food, so they need to be fed small-sized kibble but with high-calorie dog food.

     2. Medium-sized dogs are prone to skin diseases, so their diet needs to focus on absorbing vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals;

     3. Large dogs are more prone to joint diseases, and glucosamine and chondroitin are effective substances for joint health care.

     4. Newborn puppies during lactation can get a large amount of needed nutrients from their mother's milk, boosting immunity, so no extra supplementation is necessary. If the mother dog cannot nurse, milk replacer must be used to avoid poor digestion in puppies; puppies over two months old are at a crucial stage of growth.

Do dogs of different body sizes need the same nutrition?

       Whether vitamins, minerals, fats, or carbohydrates, all must be absorbed in a balanced way. Adult dogs should focus on nutrients beneficial to bones, digestive system, and skin, and can appropriately supplement vitamins and lecithin that activate cells and delay aging. As for senior dogs, nutrient supplementation should be based on fully understanding the dog’s physical condition and choosing appropriate supplements, rather than feeding everything indiscriminately.

Do dogs of different body sizes need the same nutrition?

     Dogs that are in poor health, weaker constitution, or older, which are more prone to malnutrition, need nutritional supplements. Also, if there is an obvious deficiency in vitamins and minerals, these dogs need to be supplemented with nutrition.