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Your puppy’s nutritional needs will change as he grows into adulthood, but how do you know when your puppy is ready for adult food?
Depending on his breed size, at some point between 12 and 24 months of age, you should reexamine your puppy's nutritional needs and choose the right adult formula. His adult food could depend upon his metabolism (Does he gain weight easily?) and his activity level (Is it low, normal, or high?) These factors can help you find the ideal food for your dog.
The transition to a premium adult formula should begin when your dog approaches adult height and weight. The kind of dog you have will determine the right time to switch. When you do switch to adult formula, follow the same four-day process as you did when introducing your puppy to premium puppy food.
Small-breed dogs tend to mature physically much sooner than large-breed dogs. Follow these guidelines to help you decide when to switch formulas:
As your new puppy quickly matures into adulthood, he needs nutrition appropriate for his 'new' body. That means a high-quality, premium adult formula. Most veterinarians agree that feeding a complete and balanced premium food, such as IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Adult MiniChunks, throughout your dog's adulthood can promote a long and healthy life.
When it comes to maintaining the overall health of our dogs, we often overlook the importance of their gut health. This is where canine probiotics and prebiotics come into play. These are beneficial microbes that reside in your dog's gastrointestinal system, aiding in food digestion, fighting off potential pathogens, and bolstering the immune system.
Probiotics for dogs, derived from the Latin word 'for' (pro) and the Greek 'life' (bio), are friendly bacteria and yeasts that are essential for your dog's health. They are designed to restore and maintain a healthy balance of microflora in your dog's gut. The types of bacteria usually found in canine probiotics include:
Prebiotics may sound like the opposite of probiotics, but in reality, the two go hand in hand. Prebiotics are nutrients that nourish and promote the growth of these good bacteria already living in the colon. They are essential in ensuring that probiotics function at their optimal best.
Probiotics are a necessary addition to a dog’s diet. Here are a few benefits of this nutrient:
They are generally used when the balance of microbes in a dog's gut gets disrupted due to stress, dietary changes, or antibiotic use, leading to health problems including digestive upsets.
Probiotics for dogs have been shown to help manage diarrhea and improve gut health. They work by restoring the balance of good bacteria in your dog's gut, which can be disrupted due to various factors.
The benefits of probiotics for dogs extend beyond just good gut health. They can also aid in reducing the need for antibiotic treatment and shorten the duration of diarrhea. In fact, a 2009 Irish study found that supplementation with a specific strain of Bifidobacterium Animalis reduced diarrhea duration from seven to four days.
The answer is yes. Puppies can benefit from dog-specific probiotics. These can help them develop a balanced intestinal bacteria ecosystem, support a healthy immune system, and reduce the occurrence of diarrhea, constipation, and infections of the digestive tract.
Yes, it's critical to consult your vet before introducing probiotics or prebiotics for dogs into your pet's diet. There are many probiotic preparations out there, and not all of them are of high quality and backed up with evidence. Your vet will be able to advise the best option for your dog.
As the importance of gut health in dogs becomes more recognized, various supplements containing canine probiotics have emerged. One such supplement is our IAMS™ Proactive Health™ Digestive Health Supplement. This soft-chew food supplement is a blend of prebiotics and probiotics that ensures healthy digestion.
If your dog has been experiencing signs like diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or vomiting, it might indicate that their digestive system is not functioning properly. In this case, a probiotic supplement with Bacillus Subtilis and Fructooligosaccharide can be a good investment. They help degrade organic matter in the feces, reducing ammonia production and fecal odor as well as nourish the good bacteria in the colon of the dog.
The benefits of probiotics for dogs are substantial. They help maintain a healthy gut, which plays a vital role in your dog's overall health. By incorporating probiotics into your dog's diet, you're taking a step towards ensuring that your furry friend leads a healthier, happier life.
