However, overfeeding can result in an oversupply of some nutrients and increase body weight at a rate that a developing skeletal system cannot adequately support. These additional stresses have been linked to bone abnormalities and orthopaedic conditions, which can problematic through to adulthood.

Naturally, the stomach size of puppies is smaller than that of adults. Therefore, it is advised that feeding is split over a minimum of 3-4 meals per day. This aids energy maintenance over a prolonged period of time and ensures an adequate level of feed is consumed. Likewise, ‘free feeding’ is not advised. Monitoring consumption levels using this method is difficult. If feeding multiple puppies from a litter, an owner cannot account for the potential gorging- compared to the undereating of another.

Large breed owners may also wish to consider the kibble size of dry feeds. With a larger puppy comes a bigger mouth and dentition that can accommodate a larger kibble size. This may help slow down consumption compared to a small kibble size often given to commercial puppy feeds. Furthermore, small meal sizes, combined with a slow rate of consumption is a preferable eating habit to instil in large breed puppies as a method of reducing the risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), an issue often of concern with large breeds ⁵.

The actions of vitamin D on skeletal development may be indirect, e.g. by influencing intestinal calcium absorption, or more direct, e.g. stimulating bone mineralisation. Based on the evidence of disturbed bone formation in Great Dane puppies fed diets containing elevated vitamin D levels, a maximum nutritional limit of 320 IU/100g DM has been set in FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines¹, although a lower legal maximum (227 IU/100g DM) over-rides the nutritional maximum in the UK/Europe.

It is important; owners should be aware that there is no need to supplement additional vitamins or minerals into the diet if feeding a complete and balanced diet. Supplementation via meal ‘toppers’ or tablet form can lead to oversupply, which could be detrimental to health.

References

1. FEDIAF. Nutritional Guidelines For Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. (2020).
2. Salt, C. et al. Growth standard charts for monitoring body weight in dogs of different sizes. PLoS One 12, 1–28 (2017).
3. Hawthorne, A. J., Booles, D., Nugent, P., Gettinby, G. & Wilkinson, J. Body-Weight Changes During Growth in Puppies of Different Breeds. in WALTHAM International Science Symposium: Nature, Nurture, and the Case for Nutrition vol. 134 2072S–2030S (WALTHAM International Science Symposium: Nature, Nurture, and the Case for Nutrition, 2004).
4. Linda P. Case, Leighann Daristotle, Michael G. Hayek, M. F. R. Nutrient Needs During Growth. in Canine and Feline Nutrition – A Resource for Companion Animal Professionals (ed. Pohlam, H.) 232–233 (Elsevier Mosby, 2011).
5. Lauten, S. D. Nutritional Risks to Large-Breed Dogs: From Weaning to the Geriatric Years. Vet. Clin. North Am. – Small Anim. Pract. 36, 1345–1359 (2006).
6. Schoenmakers, I., Hazewinkel, H. A. W., Voorhout, G., Carlson, C. S. & Richardson, D. Effect of diets with different calcium and phosphorus contents on the skeletal development and blood chemistry of growing Great Danes. Vet. Rec. 147, 652–660 (2000).
7. Tryfonidou, M. A., Van Den Broek, J., Van Den Brom, W. E. & Hazewinkel, H. A. W. Intestinal Calcium Absorption in Growing Dogs is Influenced by Calcium Intake and Age but Not by Growth Rate. J. Nutr. 132, 3363–3368 (2002).