Dog breeds vary significantly in size, which means that their nutritional needs also differ. When it comes to small breeds, their higher surface area to volume ratio causes them to lose more heat compared to larger dog breeds. As a result, small breed dogs require more calories per kilogram of body weight to maintain their body heat. This means that they need to be fed more per kilogram of body weight or be provided with diets that are more energy-dense. It is also crucial to ensure that small dog breeds chew their food properly to maintain their dental health. To facilitate this, smaller kibble sizes are necessary so that they can easily pick up and chew their food.
Conversely, the nutritional requirements of large and giant breeds differ greatly from those of small breeds. These dogs are at a higher risk of developing arthritis as they age, especially if they are overweight or obese. Therefore, it is often advised to restrict calorie intake for adult large breed dogs to maintain an ideal body condition and prevent excessive stress on their joints. However, care must be taken to ensure that they are still receiving all of the vitamins and minerals they require to carry out their normal internal functions, and this is where a large breed specific diet is ideal. Additionally, supplementing their diet with glucosamine and chondroitin can help maintain healthy cartilage. Since larger dogs have bigger mouths, the biscuit size should also be larger to encourage chewing instead of swallowing whole. This chewing action helps reduce tartar build up by increasing saliva production, which has antibacterial properties.
Apart from size, the activity level of the dog during the day also affects their nutritional requirements. Working dogs, such as Australian Cattle Dogs, Kelpies, and German Shepherd Dogs, as well as dogs involved in agility training, have higher energy needs compared to primarily domestic pets. These dogs require meals with a higher calorie content, increased protein and fat, to support their physical activity and exercise endurance. Additionally, like endurance athletes, carbohydrates are essential to meet their high energy demands, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can help support their active joints by acting as natural anti-inflammatories.
Cobber has developed diets that prioritize canine health and well-being. Our aim is to provide optimum nutrition specific to the needs of adult dogs of all breed sizes.