A friend of mine wrote this for school a couple years ago. It’s a bit technical, but there is some great info as well. I suggest a cup of coffee first…
Life Long Nutrition
by Jon Dunkerley
This article discusses two foods in particular. For the puppy stage, Eagle Pack Puppy food and for the adult stage, Royal Canine Labrador Retriever.
Puppy Nutrition
When deciding on the nutritional components that will determine the diet of my pups it is important to recognize and keep the following key factors at the forefront:
- The pups will mature quickly, meaning that they will need the best diet possible to allow them to safely grow with the aid of the necessary amounts of the 6 major nutrients present.
- Starting at birth and lasting for the first 5-6 weeks of life, my pups will need a high quality Colostrum based formula due to their not being able to ween at birth. Afer researching various formulas, I have selected the following: Artho Formula. This is a blend of New Life Colostrum (vital for the pups when first born to stimulate body functions) , blucosamine sulfate, MSM, acetyl myristoleate, lipase enzyme, coated with beta-lipid.
Attributes:
Helps increase bioavailability and absorption of nutrients in the body and helps decrease the bioavailability of iron to pathogens.
MSM, a natural form of sulfur helps in the prevention of free readical damage and helps support joint and cartilage function.
Glucosamine sulfate contains sulfur, an element important to the biochemical synthesis of connective tissue.
Cetyl myristoleate helps support joint and cartilage function. It is paired with a lipase enzyme in order to help increase its absorption and assimilation in the body.
Due to the importance of Colostrum, below you will find a detailed breakdown of hte nutritional make up of this Pure Colostrum Guaranteed Analysis and Nutitional Breakdown.
Ingredient Amount
Moisture 7%
Ash 4.80%
Protein 60%
Calcium 0.26%
Lactose Monohydrate 15%
Phosphorus 0.24%
Magnesium 0.4%
Sodium 0.07%
Potassium 0.14%
Holine 0.12%
Cobalt 0.06%
Iron 0.06%
Lysine 7.65%
Methionine 1.88%
Cistein Trace
Arginine 4.82%
Triptophan 1.66%
Histidine 2.76%
Isoleucine 8.57%
Leucine 8.57%
Phenylalanin 4.61%
Threonine 7.45%
Valine 8.17%
Half life: 16 hours
Feeding Directions
(1×480 mg tablet mixed with 3-5 oz of warm water three times daily – daily total of 1440mg)
Feeding Chart
Weekly Amount Daily Fed/Mg
- 3x480mg = 1440mg
- 3x480mg = 1440mg
- 3x480mg = 1440mg
- 3x480mg = 1440mg
- 3x480mg = 1440mg
Some believe that proper Colostrum supplementation should consist of more than what is stated above, however, this is just an opinion and there is no evidence that proves this theory.
The Structural Growth period (0 to 18 months) is the most important stage of the development of my pups meaning that during this phase of their lives, it is crutial for them to consume high quality premium or home prepared food.
Along with my formula, I will be eventually feeding my pups a premium puppy food up until they are 15 to 16 months of age (Eagle Pack Large/Giant Formula) which upon my research, appeared to be the best suited to the needs of my Labrador pups.
When considering a puppy food, one must take into account the qulity of ingredients, and what these ingredients mean to the growth of my pup.s. For my pups to thrive, they need and will receive the best possible ingredients which when combined will produce an optimum food to enable them to grow safely, and consistently, in regards to their breed specifications.
Eagle Pack Analysis
The Eagle Pack puppy food I chose has in my opinion, the best combination of ingredients for consumption by my pups. Some of the key ingredients include:
7 skin and coat conditioners consisting of: chicken fat, flax seed, avocado oil, herring meal, lecithin, vitamin E, and biotin. This is a rare combination and is only found in top quality puppy formula. The main purpose of these conditioners is to allow for a nice, shiny, healthy coat with healthy skin underneath.
Premium chicken meal, rice, and herring meal provide great taste as well as extra protein and fat which allows for a great foundation for growth.
In order to show the extensive process of creating a high calorie-quality puppy food, below is the entire ingredient list with the above key ingredients included:
Chicken meal, brown rice, ground rice, rice bran, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and ascorbic acid), flax seed, dehydtrated alfalfa meal, avocado oil, herring meal, lecithin, brewers dried yeast, natural flavoring, monosodium phosphate, choline chloride, rosemary extract, sage extract, ferrous sulfate, dl-alpha tocopherol acetate (source of vitamin E), zinc oxide, sodium selenite, manganous oxide, riboflavin supplement (source of vitamin B complex), copper sulfate, zinc methionine, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, cobalt proteinate, niacin, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin A supplement, calcium pantothenate, d-biotin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), calcium iodate, thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, bromelain, papain, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation product, dried aspergillus oryzae fermentation product.
Advantages
Like most specific puppy formulated food, Eagle Pack’s Puppy Formula is designed for optimum growth. With high protein, nutrient and fat content, the building blocks for continued growth are present and I would expect my pups to do very well while consuming this product.
Low stool volume is a big advantage and is strictly due to the chicken meal and rice formula allowing for better digestibility, which, in turn, allows for more nutrients and vitamins to be absorbed by the puppies.
Palatability is maintained by the presence of vitamin E and C, meaning that no preservatives are used.
Eagle Pack Puppy Formula is pressure cooked to ensure that the highest nutrient and vitamin level is present.
Guaranteed Analysis
Ingredient Percentage
Crude Protein 26%
Crude Fat 16%
Crude Fibre 4%
Moisture 10%
Phosphorus 1%
Calcium 1.25%
At approximately 5 weeks of age, I will start reducing the “Artho” and introducing my puppies to the “Eagle Pack” kibble mushed in warm water.
Feeding Chart
Week/Month Daily Amount Daily Caloric Intake
5-6 wks of life 2x cup 188
7 wks of life 2x cup 372
8 wks of life = 2 months 2x cup 564
10 wks of life 2x 1/1 cup 744
12 wks of life = 3 months 2×1 cup 838
16 wks of life = 4 months 2×1 cup 838
