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Not all medium adult dogs have the same nutritional needs. Has your dog been neutered? Is he getting proper exercise? Or is she about to have puppies? Special conditions can dramatically affect your medium dog’s nutritional demands. Giving him a food specially formulated for his size and activity level is the easiest way to make sure he’s getting the nutrients he needs.
Guarding Against Weight Gain
Dogs with lower activity levels or dogs that have been neutered or spayed are all prone to weight gain. Controlling your dog’s weight is an important step toward protecting against the health effects of excess weight, such as diabetes or joint health problems. If you do use a weight-management food, look for these characteristics:
- A reduced fat level that still offers essential nutrients for skin and coat health
- L-carnitine, a key nutrient that helps burn fat and maintain muscle mass during weight loss
- Special carbohydrate blends that help maintain energy while managing weight
- Vitamin-rich fish oils for overall health
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Pregnancy
Pregnant dogs have substantial nutrition requirements. Starting in the seventh week of her pregnancy, a mother dog will need to increase her energy intake up to 50% by the time she gives birth and increase even more when she starts nursing her puppies. Because she may lose her appetite at times, it’s important that she eats a nutrient-dense food. Complete and balanced puppy food can give pregnant and lactating dogs the extra nutrients they need.
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Selecting a Food
Your medium adult dog’s food should offer these ingredients for health and vitality:
- Vitamin-rich fish oils for a healthy skin, shine and overall health
- Essential vitamins and minerals to help support the immune system and help maintain good health
- High-quality animal-based protein sources to help maintain muscles
- A fiber source to promote intestinal health, enhance nutrient absorption and reduce backyard cleanup
- Special carbohydrate blends of select healthy grains to help maintain normal blood sugar levels for sustained energy
- These ingredients are the keys to mature nutrition whether you feed dry or canned dog food or give him treats
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Switching to a Mature Diet
Unlike larger dogs that are considered mature at age 5 or 6, your medium dog can remain on an adult diet until age 7. In fact, medium-breed dogs tend to live slightly longer and may not experience the age-related changes as early as bigger dogs do. But it is critical to make a proactive transition to a specially formulated mature diet so you can help keep your dog healthy and active as he ages.
For more information about dog nutrition:
Is Your Dog Carrying Extra Weight?
Technical Bulletin: Nutrition for Pregnant and Nursing Dogs and Cats
Glow of Good Health
Supplementing Your Dog’s Diet
Feeding Tips from IAMS
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