Puppies Have Different Dietary Needs Than Adult Dogs

How do you make sure your new puppy is getting all the right nutrients in their diet to ensure that they will grow healthy and strong? Puppies have different dietary needs than adult dogs, and large breed puppies like Great Danes, Dobermans, and Bernese Mountain Dogs, have different needs than smaller breeds. Feeding your puppy the proper nutrients will set up your new family member for healthy growth and many happy days of life.

Healthy growth and digestion are the first steps towards a happy, healthy life.

What's in Puppy Food?

Since dogs are best-fed as carnivores, they thrive on a diet based on animal protein. Animal protein, such as fresh chicken, provide the primary protein they need to be healthy. They also need fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals to be healthy.

Proteins

Proteins are used to build and grow new tissues in the body. Proteins are made up of 20 different amino acids, 10 of which are made in the body. So your puppy’s diet will need to supply the other 10, called the "essential amino acids." Animal proteins are better at supplying these essential amino acids than plant proteins (like soy), so look for a puppy food with an animal protein source as the first ingredients. The first ingredient in all three Bil-Jac Puppy Foods is chicken. Bil-Jac uses 5 lbs. of chicken to make a 6 lb bag of puppy food, and to our knowledge, we are the only dog food company that uses so much fresh chicken.

Fats

Fats help promote a healthy skin and coat, and are transporters of several key vitamins throughout the body. However, overfeeding can result in too-rapid growth, which studies have shown may lead to bone issues, and possibly, obesity.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates come from plant sources like grains, fruits, and vegetables, and are a good source of energy, which your puppy needs, making high quality carbohydrates a must. Bil-Jac Puppy formulas have a special blend of finely ground corn and oatmeal. All Bil-Jac Dry Foods are slow-cooked to help convert complex carbohydrates into simple carbohydrates so the little member of your family can use them for healthy digestion and energy.

Water

Water is the most important nutrient for all animals—including your puppy. Water allows the body to make good use of other nutrients. So make sure your puppy has a clean, fresh bowl of water available always. Replace the water every morning or whenever it looks cloudy (or dirty—puppies go everywhere and feet and ears go in everything!)

Bil-Jac knows your dog is a member of the family, and that is why we are committed to the health and well-being of your dog. Enjoy the early days and please keep healthy digestion and healthy food in mind when watching the newest member of your family grow up.