ROYAL CANIN
How to help your puppy to grow up strong and healthy
Puppyhood is a time of exciting new discoveries and experiences, but it’s also a time of intense growth and development. Over the first year of their life, your puppy’s size, shape and behaviour will develop significantly.
Introducing healthy habits and behaviours from day one can help your puppy grow into a strong, healthy adult.
Your puppy’s needs change as they grow
When it comes to exercise and diet, puppies have different needs at each growth stage. For example, a newborn puppy’s nutritional needs are completely different to the nutritional needs of a five-month-old pup.
Learning about the key developmental stages from birth to adulthood can help you understand how your canine companion’s needs change as they grow.
Explore Royal Canin’s puppy growth timeline to learn more.
Make sure they get the right amount of exercise
The amount of exercise your puppy needs depends on several factors, most notably their breed and lifestyle.
Small-breed dogs tend to reach adulthood somewhere between the first 6 and 12 months of their lives, so some puppies can tolerate increased levels of exercise and activity at an earlier age. Puppies that grow into larger breeds, however, usually reach adulthood somewhere between 18 and 24 months, so their exercise needs will differ.
Until recently, the recommendation regarding exercising your puppy was to aim for five minutes per each month of their age, twice daily. So, a 4-month-old puppy, for example, could be exercised for 20 minutes twice a day, while a 7-month-old puppy could be exercised for 35 minutes twice a day. This is still a good rule of thumb if you want a rough guideline, however it has been noted that the most crucial factor when exercising puppies is not to push them beyond what is comfortable. So, for example, if they lie down on a walk, they've likely had enough. Build up the duration gradually and allow them plenty of rest in between walks. Most importantly, you should never force them into jumping or playing games involving abrupt turning, particularly in larger breeds as their joints are not fully formed and this could damage them.
For more accurate advice about how much exercise your puppy needs, it’s always best to consult a vet.
ROYAL CANIN® diets provide healthy nutrition at each growth stage
What your puppy eats plays an essential role in supporting healthy growth. A puppy’s delicate digestive system, immature immune system and cognitive function are all still developing, so they need a tailored diet that factors in their growth rate and nutritional needs.
The ROYAL CANIN® Puppy Growth Programme features a 4-stage puppy feeding plan containing the nutrients your four-legged friend needs every step of the way.
Monitor your puppy’s growth and development
Waltham Petcare Science Institute developed helpful puppy growth charts to set a standard for healthy growth in dogs.
Download your own puppy growth chart to monitor your dog’s progress and ensure they’re following the expected growth rate – your vet can help you plot the chart accurately.
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