Many dog owners believe that a chubby puppy is a sign of good health. However, feeding too much food, especially high-energy, highly palatable diets that contain high levels of carbohydrates, can lead to overeating and too rapid growth. This is particularly concerning for large-breed puppies, as excessive growth and weight gain can negatively impact their skeletal development and increase the risk of developmental orthopedic diseases (DOD), such as osteochondrosis. As a dog parent, you must understand that faster growth is not better, and encouraging slower, controlled growth through proper feeding practices will not result in a smaller adult dog but will help ensure healthier development.

Monitoring your puppy's growth should include measuring height/length and body weight, but growth is most often tracked by body weight. The concern with rapid growth is that the increase in body weight can be mistaken for proper growth in height or length when, in reality, it may simply reflect overeating and excess body fat. This distinction is essential, especially when considering the risk of developmental skeletal conditions that may be caused by overfeeding.

Research often links overnutrition to rapid growth, but this is usually based on body weight rather than height or length measurements. Since conditions like osteochondrosis may be related to height or length growth disturbances, it's essential to look beyond just weight. Some breed standards, such as those for Labrador Retrievers, may even encourage a heavier body type, further complicating growth tracking. When calculating your puppy’s energy needs during growth, it's crucial to account for their adult body weight in a way that prevents overfeeding and ensures healthy development.

The Definition of Large and Giant Breed Puppies

A large-breed puppy is typically defined as one that will grow to weigh between 50 and 100 pounds as an adult. Common examples of large-breed dogs include Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Boxers. These puppies experience a slower, more gradual growth rate than smaller breeds, which is essential to supporting proper bone and joint development and preventing health issues like hip dysplasia.

A giant breed puppy will grow to exceed 100 pounds as an adult. Examples of giant breed dogs include Great Danes, Mastiffs, Saint Bernards, and Newfoundlands. Giant breeds require even more careful management of their growth rate, as their size puts more strain on their developing bones and joints, making them more prone to orthopedic problems if they grow too quickly.

Large and giant breed puppies require diets that support their slower growth patterns and promote healthy skeletal development. Proper nutrition ensures they grow into healthy adults without putting undue stress on their bones and joints. Like adult dogs, puppies should be lean, with a body condition score of 4 out of 9. Rations should be given to achieve and maintain this optimal body shape.

The average growth period for large and giant breed puppies is 12 to 18 months, and they reach maturity between 18 to 24 months, much later than smaller-breed dogs. The period of most rapid growth occurs between 3 and 6 months of age.

Fresh Feeding Differences Between Adult Dogs and Puppies

While both puppies and adults can be fed raw diets, the key difference is that puppies, especially large and giant breeds, require a more precise nutritional balance to support growth and avoid developmental issues. In contrast, adult dogs focus more on maintaining health and preventing weight gain. Puppies, particularly during their growth phase, have higher calorie, protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus requirements than adult dogs. They need a carefully balanced diet to support their rapid development, especially skeletal growth, a key concern in large breeds.

For puppies, it is essential to ensure that their raw diet provides the appropriate ratios of calcium to phosphorus (typically between 1.1:1 and 2:1) to prevent developmental issues such as osteochondrosis and hip dysplasia. Calcium absorption is much higher in puppies, and excessive or insufficient calcium intake can lead to bone growth problems, including joint disorders and fractures. Puppy diets also need to contain sufficient levels of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D, for proper skeletal development. Feeding a raw diet that is not correctly balanced in these nutrients can result in nutritional deficiencies or excesses, which may affect bone growth and overall health.

In contrast, adult dogs have lower caloric and nutrient requirements than puppies. Since they are no longer growing, they focus on maintaining their muscle mass and joint health while preventing obesity. Raw food diets for adults should prioritize lean meats. They may include a wider variety of organ meats and vegetables without the heightened concern for calcium and phosphorus ratios that puppies require.&nbsp;

The differences in the <a href="https://www.feedreal.com/articles/introduction-to-real-ancestral-6x-diet">Real Ancestral 6X DietTM</a> for puppies include:

Using the Feed Real calculator encourages balance over time. However, with puppies, you must balance their diet daily. Puppies lack the mineral and vitamin stores that adults have in their bodies. Ensure you provide the correct levels of all components to provide all necessary nutrients daily.

Premade versus DIY Homemade Raw for Puppies

A premade commercial raw diet can be an excellent option for dog parents concerned about ensuring their large-breed puppy gets the proper nutrients. These diets are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), ensuring that your puppy receives all the essential nutrients, particularly during critical growth phases. Large breed puppies need precise balances of calcium and phosphorus to prevent developmental orthopedic diseases and commercial raw diets are designed to maintain these levels.

On the other hand, homemade raw diets offer flexibility, allowing you to control the quality and source of ingredients. You can adjust portions as your puppy grows, ensuring a more personalized feeding approach. Additionally, including raw meaty bones in a homemade diet can provide natural teething benefits and promote better oral health throughout your dog's life.

Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D Interactions

Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are essential nutrients for large-breed puppies, as they play crucial roles in healthy bone development. The recommended dietary calcium range for large-breed puppies is 0.8% to 1.2% on a dry matter basis. Until around six months of age, puppies absorb about 70% of the calcium in their diet through the small intestine. Because of this high absorption rate, adding extra calcium through supplements, dairy products, or bone meal is not advised during this period. Excess calcium can negatively affect bone growth and lead to orthopedic problems like osteochondrosis, panosteitis, wobbler syndrome, and radius curvus syndrome, all of which can cause pain and mobility issues.

When preparing homemade fresh food or raw diets, it is imperative that you provide the correct calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 1.1:1 to 2:1. An imbalance, particularly too much calcium, can interfere with bone growth and lead to issues like hypophosphatemic rickets, which is associated with widened growth plates and improper bone development.

Vitamin D also plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in a puppy's body. Dogs rely on their diet to obtain vitamin D, which is stored in the liver and converted to its active form to help with calcium and phosphorus absorption. Adequate vitamin D intake ensures proper bone formation, preventing conditions like osteomalacia during development. However, too much vitamin D can lead to health problems like radius curvus syndrome, though the exact cause of this condition remains unclear.

Bone growth and development in puppies are complex processes that begin with specialized cells called chondrocytes, which form a cartilage matrix known as hyaline cartilage. As your puppy grows, the bone gradually replaces this cartilage at specific points in the long bones through endochondral ossification.&nbsp;

Large and giant breed puppies' bones typically continue to grow until they reach skeletal maturity, which usually occurs between 18 and 24 months of age. However, the most rapid bone growth occurs during the first 6 to 12 months. For large breeds like Labrador Retrievers or Golden Retrievers, growth plates usually close around 12 to 18 months. Giant breeds, such as Great Danes or Mastiffs, may take longer, with growth plates often not closing until 18 to 24 months.

During this growth period, puppies are susceptible to physical, nutritional, and metabolic factors. Avoiding strenuous physical activity during this time is essential to ensure healthy bone development, as it can strain the growing bones and joints.

Beyond supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons, the skeletal system protects vital organs and stores essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. These minerals are used in critical bodily functions, such as blood clotting, nerve function, and maintaining the body's acid-base balance. Additionally, red marrow within the long bones is the source of hematopoietic stem cells, which develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, essential for your dog's overall health and immune system.

<a href="https://www.feedreal.com/articles/balancing-omega3-and-omega6">Omega-3 fatty acids</a> are crucial for the healthy development of large and giant breed puppies, playing a significant role in their growth and overall health. These essential fatty acids, primarily found in small fatty fish like sardines, herring, or salmon, contribute to brain development, joint health, and inflammation control during a puppy’s critical growth stages.

For large and giant breed puppies, omega-3s, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), help promote proper brain and eye development. This is especially important for growing puppies as their nervous system and cognitive abilities develop rapidly. Adequate intake of omega-3s supports mental sharpness, learning abilities, and overall neurological health.

In addition to supporting brain development, omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, essential for large and giant breeds prone to joint issues as they grow. These puppies experience rapid growth, which can stress their joints and bones, potentially leading to conditions like hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis later in life. Omega-3s help reduce joint inflammation, supporting healthier cartilage and promoting better long-term joint function. This is especially beneficial in large-breed puppies, which are more susceptible to these orthopedic issues.

Omega-3s also help maintain a robust immune system and support healthy skin and coat. For large and giant breed puppies, who may be prone to skin sensitivities, omega-3s can help reduce skin inflammation and promote a healthy, shiny coat.

Incorporating omega-3s into your puppy’s fresh food diet can provide numerous health benefits, supporting your growing puppy's cognitive, joint, and overall health.&nbsp;

Feeding large-breed puppies on a free-choice basis, or even providing too much food at scheduled meal times, can lead to overeating. Meal-restricted feeding has been shown to reduce the frequency of developmental orthopedic disease and early osteoarthritis in large and giant-breed dogs compared to ad-lib feeding by preventing the maximal growth rate and, therefore, reducing mechanical stress to developing joint cartilage.

It is essential to monitor a puppy's body condition using a body condition score (BCS) and track their weight regularly to ensure they maintain a healthy, lean physique. Genetics determine the puppy’s adult size, but nutrition plays a critical role in controlling the rate at which they reach that size. Puppies will go through their fastest growth spurt between 12 - 16 weeks of age. You may feed your puppy three to four times a day to meet her energy requirements during this time.

Puppies require roughly three times their resting energy requirement (RER) until they are four months old, after which they need about two times the RER for the remainder of their growth period. However, these calculations are just a starting point, and the amount of food should be adjusted based on the puppy’s breed, activity level, and environment. The goal is to keep puppies lean with a BCS of 4 on a 9-point scale, adjusting food portions to maintain this healthy condition throughout their growth and into adulthood, promoting overall health and longevity.

A general rule is to feed 5% to 8% of your puppy’s body weight daily, split between three to four meals. Then, as they reach their target weight and full size, taper down to 2% to 2.5% per day, fed in two or three&nbsp;meals daily.&nbsp;

Puppies can be started on raw or fresh food as they are being weaned at 3-4 weeks of age. Feeding them a ground mix of meat, bones, and organs mimics the regurgitated food that a wolf would feed her young. Providing large, meaty bones for the pups to gnaw on as their teeth erupt will aid in teething pain.&nbsp;

If you adopt a puppy that was weaned onto kibble, transitioning to a raw diet immediately and completely is recommended. It is not recommended to feed a puppy both kibble and raw since the variation in digestive enzymes and pH might make it difficult for a puppy's digestive system. Switching a puppy to raw cold turkey lessens the likelihood that it will experience side effects such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Transitioning is easier for a puppy than an adult dog.&nbsp; Adult dogs have become accustomed to their kibble diets, whereas puppies are still exploring and learning new things. Providing a variety of nutrients is critical to ensure they receive all required nutrients. Introduce a variety of foods early to take advantage of your puppy’s explorative and curious behavior.

Rapid growth in large and giant breed puppies can lead to bone deformities and orthopedic issues due to the strain on their developing bones, joints, and growth plates. The most common bone deformities and conditions caused by rapid growth include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), panosteitis, hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD), cervical spondylomyelopathy (CSM), radius curvus syndrome, and angular limb deformities.

Hip Dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joint develops abnormally, causing the ball and socket of the hip to not fit properly. Rapid growth can exacerbate improper development, leading to joint instability, pain, and eventually osteoarthritis. Hip dysplasia is common in large and giant breeds, especially if they grow too quickly.

Elbow Dysplasia is similar to hip dysplasia. It involves abnormal development of the elbow joint. It occurs when the elbow bones grow unevenly, leading to joint instability, pain, and the early onset of arthritis. Elbow dysplasia is prevalent in breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Rottweilers.

OCD is a condition where the cartilage in a joint, often the shoulder, elbow, or knee, grows too quickly and becomes thick and weak. This can lead to cracks in the cartilage or the formation of loose flaps, causing pain, inflammation, and limited mobility. OCD is more common in rapidly growing puppies whose cartilage struggles to keep pace with bone growth.

Panosteitis, also known as "growing pains," is an inflammation of the long bones of the legs that often causes limping and pain in young, rapidly growing large-breed puppies. While it typically resolves independently, it can be painful and cause intermittent lameness in affected puppies.

HOD is an inflammatory condition affecting the growth plates in large and giant breed puppies. It can cause painful leg swelling, fever, and lameness. It may lead to permanent bone deformities or growth abnormalities in severe cases.

CSM is a neurological condition affecting the neck's spinal cord (cervical spine). It is characterized by spinal cord and nerve compression due to malformations or instability of the vertebrae in the neck, leading to a wobbly or unsteady gait, hence the name "Wobbler Syndrome."

Radius curvus syndrome in dogs is a condition that results from the abnormal growth of the radius and ulna bones in the forelimb. Specifically, it occurs when one of these bones (usually the ulna) stops growing prematurely while the other (the radius) continues to grow. This causes a bowing or curvature of the forelimb, hence the term "curvus," which refers to curvature.

Rapid growth can cause uneven development of the bones in the legs, leading to angular limb deformities. These deformities occur when one bone in a growing limb develops faster than the other, causing the limb to curve or bend abnormally. This can lead to lameness and difficulty walking.

The Impact of Spaying and Neutering on Bone Development

<a href="https://www.feedreal.com/articles/desexing-vs-sterilization-essential-insights-for-dog-parents-on-spay-and-neuter-procedures">Spaying or neutering</a> large or giant breed puppies can significantly impact their bone growth and development. When a dog is spayed or neutered, the production of sex hormones, particularly estrogen and testosterone, decreases. These hormones play a crucial role in regulating the closure of bone growth plates. In large and giant breed puppies, delaying the closure of these growth plates due to an early spay or neuter can lead to prolonged bone growth, resulting in taller dogs with potentially altered bone structure.

This extended period of growth may increase the risk of developmental orthopedic diseases such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cruciate ligament injuries, as the joints and ligaments may not grow proportionately to the longer bones. Additionally, studies have suggested that early spay or neutering before full skeletal maturity can increase the likelihood of bone-related conditions like osteosarcoma (bone cancer), especially in large-breed dogs.

A study on Golden Retrievers found that early neutering (before 12 months) doubled the risk of hip dysplasia and significantly increased the likelihood of cranial cruciate ligament tears compared to intact dogs. Another study showed that early neutering delayed growth plate closure, resulting in increased bone length and height, which may compromise joint health and increase the risk of orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament injuries.

These findings underscore the importance of consulting with a veterinarian to determine the best timing for spaying or neutering large or giant breed puppies, balancing the procedure's benefits with the potential risks of orthopedic issues.

When feeding large and giant breed puppies, managing their growth rate carefully is crucial to prevent developmental orthopedic diseases (DOD) and other health issues. Overfeeding, particularly with high-energy, ultra-processed diets with elevated carbohydrate levels, can lead to excessive weight gain and rapid growth, putting undue strain on their developing bones and joints. Owners should encourage slow, controlled growth through proper portion control and balanced nutrition of a species-appropriate diet, resulting in a healthier adult dog, not a smaller one. Monitoring their body condition and adjusting food portions as they grow helps maintain a healthy weight, promoting long-term joint and bone health.

To ensure your puppy grows into a strong, healthy adult, it is essential to provide a balanced diet tailored to its unique growth needs. By carefully controlling her food intake and maintaining a lean body condition, you can support your puppy's development and help prevent the long-term health issues of rapid growth and obesity. Your focus should be on sustainable growth and overall well-being rather than rapid weight gain.

<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29302100/">Dietary imbalances in a large breed puppy, leading to compression fractures, vitamin D deficiency, and suspected nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism</a>&nbsp;

<a href="http://assets.prod.vetlearn.com.s3.amazonaws.com/mmah/e6/72e6a0e04344e1a1036fa4f52e03ee/filePV0510_Nutrition.pdf">Feeding Large-Breed Puppies</a>&nbsp;

<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0055937">Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers | PLOS ONE</a>&nbsp;

<a href="https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/198/7/javma.1991.198.07.1193.xml">Gonadectomy in immature dogs: Effects on skeletal, physical, and behavioral development in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Volume 198 Issue 7 (1991)</a>&nbsp;

<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17085239/">Nutritional risks to large-breed dogs: from weaning to the geriatric years</a>

<a href="https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/249/11/javma.249.11.1267.xml">The essential nature of dietary omega-3 fatty acids in dogs</a>

<a href="https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/nutrition/nutrition-for-the-large-breed-puppy/">Giant Expectations: Nutrition for the Large-Breed Puppy</a>&nbsp;

Healthy Growth for Large and Giant Breed Puppies: Balancing Nutrition and Growth Rate

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