Uncategorised

Are age-specific diets really necessary?

6 October 2023

What’s the go with age-specific diets?

Is ‘puppy’ or ‘senior’ food just marketing hype?

Puppy and kitten diets. Adult dog and cat diets. Senior 7+ and 12+ diets. So many diets are recommended for different stages of your pet’s life. But do different ages truly need different diets? Or is it a load of fluff made up by pet food companies to sell more food?

It’s indeed a fact. Pets do benefit from age-specific diets.

Different age, different nutritional needs.

Puppies and kittens should be on a special diet until they’re at least 12 months old (or 18-24 months for larger dog breeds). Not only do growing animals need more energy than adults, they also have different requirements for protein and nutrients like calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper, amino acids, and fatty acids. All play a big part in healthy development and growth.

On the other hand, senior animals need less energy and absorb nutrients differently to youngsters. Senior diets take this into account with a special balance of protein and electrolytes to help mature pets get the best out of their old age. It’s generally recommended to switch from an adult to a mature or senior diet at around 7 or 8 years of age, depending on breed.

Diets that aren’t tailored to age can impact health.

For example, feeding growing puppies the wrong diet can lead to abnormalities in cartilage and bone development, which can mean deformities for life.

In fact, nutritional imbalances in dietary calcium, vitamin D and phosphorous have been linked to developmental orthopaedic diseases in puppies, including hip dysplasia and osteochondrosis dissecans1,2.

Nosh’s puppy and kitten diets have what’s best for growing pets.

Nosh’s puppy and kitten diets have been independently tested by Massey University’s Nutrition Laboratory to ensure the best nutrition possible. Balanced with the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and essential nutrients, they’re perfect for giving your little friend the best start to life.

Shop Nosh today

 

Want to learn more?

  1. Effects of limited food consumption on the incidence of hip dysplasia in growing dogs by RD Kealy, et al. Journal of the American Veterinary Association.1992;201(6):857-863.
  2. Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism occurring in a strain of German Shepherd puppies by K. Kawaguchi, et al. Japanese Journal of Veterinary Research.1993;41(2-4):89-96.

Keep reading

2 mins read

Is fish one of the secrets to shiny coats?

Is fish one of the secrets to shiny coats? A shiny coat on a dog isn’t just about looks—it’s a sign of good health. When a dog’s fur gleams in the sunlight, it reflects inner well-being. But can feeding Fido more fish help their fur look fantastic? Or is it just social media pseudo-science? Pass […]
2 mins read

Are human supplements good for dogs too?

Ever wondered if sharing your multivitamins or supplements with your pet could give them an added health boost? After all, what’s good for us is usually good for them. Right? Wrong. That’s not a fact. It’s fluff. In fact, human supplements can be harmful to our pets for a few different reasons. Some human supplements […]
2 mins read

Does a dry nose mean my dog is dehydrated?

Ever been surprised by a cold, wet, dog nose boop on your leg? We all know that dogs’ noses should be shiny and damp. But what if they’re dry? Google says it could be dehydration. What do you think? Fact or fluff? It’s a fact. Dehydration can dry out a dog’s nose, but that’s just […]
2 mins read

Can bland food work wonders for an upset tummy?

Tearing into a pillow or cardboard box. Switching diets. Parasites. Infectious diseases. All can upset dogs’ stomachs and cause vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite and abdominal discomfort. When it does, many swear by the age-old remedy of bland chicken and rice. But does this work, or is it just another dog park myth? Let’s find the […]
2 mins read

Are table scraps a suitable diet for dogs?

Are table scraps a suitable diet for dogs? Do you ever wonder why you buy dog-specific food when your dog is convinced that your human meals are much more appealing? They’ll stare at you with those big puppy eyes as you try to eat, begging for a taste of human food. You may even be […]