FIn this article:
- Is The Farmer’s Dog good for all life stages?
- Is The Farmer’s Dog good for puppies?
- Is the DHA in The Farmer’s Dog good for puppies?
- Can I keep feeding The Farmer’s Dog to my dog as they get older?
- Can The Farmer’s Dog help dogs stay in healthy body condition?
- Is The Farmer’s Dog good for senior dogs?
- What should I feed my dog with a medical condition?
This article was originally published in June of 2024, and has been updated.
The Farmer’s Dog has AAFCO complete and balanced options that are good for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. Read on for an overview of life stages on dog-food labels, what they mean, and why The Farmer’s Dog is an ideal choice for dogs of all ages once they’ve started weaning.
Is The Farmer’s Dog good for all life stages?
Yes, The Farmer’s Dog offers recipes that are complete and balanced for all life stages.
“If a diet is not complete and balanced, meaning it does not meet nutrient requirements, there are risks of nutritional deficiencies or toxicities,” said Renee Streeter, DVM, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Nutrition), senior director of animal nutrition at The Farmer’s Dog and one of our on-staff, Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists®.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), which sets standards for pet food, lists these life stages for dogs:
- Growth (for puppies)
- Maintenance (for healthy adults)
- Gestation/lactation (for pregnant and nursing dogs)
- All life stages (for dogs in any of the above stages)
You may notice that “senior” is not among the life stages listed above; although many foods are labeled as being “senior” formulas, AAFCO has no official nutrient profile for senior dogs.
Most foods from The Farmer’s Dog are labeled as suitable for “all life stages,” because they are formulated to meet the requirements for the “adult maintenance” and “growth and reproduction” nutrient profiles, providing optimal nutrition for dogs of any age. We also offer some products that are only suitable for healthy adults. If you need advice about which choice is right for your dog, ask your veterinarian.
Is The Farmer’s Dog good for puppies?
Yes—The Farmer’s Dog offers recipes that meet puppies’ nutritional needs.
Puppies have particular nutritional requirements, and not all dog foods meet them. Our Fresh recipes that are labeled as suitable for all life stages are formulated by board-certified nutritionists to be complete and balanced for growing puppies.
Growing puppies require more calories, fat, protein, and essential nutrients per pound than older dogs. But, even so, balance is key. At this important stage, when your puppy’s bones, brain, and other organs are developing, you should feed fresh, balanced food in the right portions. Puppies thrive when they get the ideal mix of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Too much or too little of certain nutrients—like calcium and phosphorus—can cause health issues.
Is the DHA in The Farmer’s Dog good for puppies?
Yes. Research shows that DHA, a component of omega-3 fatty acids, can improve puppies’ memory and learning. Our Fresh recipes contain human-grade salmon oil to provide this important nutrient to your pup.
Can I keep feeding The Farmer’s Dog to my dog as they get older?
You can keep feeding our Fresh recipes that are suitable for all life stages to your dog from puppyhood through their senior years—and it’s easy to update their plan as their needs change. Just make sure to choose a formula that’s right for their life stage.
Omega-3 fatty acids offer many benefits to dogs of all ages—including promoting skin, joint, and brain health, and boosting immune function. And because our food is gently cooked, it better retains these powerful nutrients. Because our plans are personalized according to your dog’s unique needs, we make sure that their daily calories change as they grow, or as their caloric needs shift for any reason.
Some vets may caution against puppy food for adult dogs because it’s calorically dense—but our food is pre-portioned for your dog’s precise needs, and overeating won’t be a concern as long as you stick to their recommended servings. In fact, our precise portioning makes weight management easier than it is with kibble, canned food, and other options that rely on vague “scoop” suggestions corresponding to weight ranges.
And you can start feeding your puppy our fresh food as soon as they’re weaning:
• Puppies can be offered “gruel” to stimulate food intake starting at 3–4 weeks of age. You can make this gruel by mixing fresh food with a tablespoon or two of warm water.
• Puppies should be fully weaned and eating solid food by 7–8 weeks of age.
Many pet foods that carry the “complete and balanced” claim are made with feed-grade ingredients, and are heavily processed at high heat. Our fresh, gently cooked food is clinically proven to be highly digestible—giving your pup a healthy start and helping to nourish them throughout their lives.
Can The Farmer’s Dog help dogs stay in healthy body condition?
Yes. Because The Farmer’s Dog is portioned for your dog’s individual calorie needs, it can make it easier to keep them at a healthy weight. And research has shown that dogs in a lean body condition can live up to 2.5 years longer than those who are overweight.
It’s hard to know how much to feed your dog when you’re using many commercially available dog foods, which often offer feeding guidelines corresponding to broad weight ranges and measured in scoops.
Is The Farmer’s Dog good for senior dogs?
The Farmer’s Dog is a great choice for senior dogs. Our food is made with fresh meats and vegetables that are gently cooked so they retain their vital nutrients. And our food is clinically proven to be highly digestible—meaning your dog’s body is absorbing and using its nutrients.
Our food has some other benefits that are especially relevant to seniors:
• It’s clinically shown to support healthy aging on a cellular level, reducing formation of harmful compounds linked to age-related decline.
• It contains more moisture than dried, ultra-processed pellets—helping to keep your dog’s body hydrated and aiding digestion and elimination. Research shows that dogs eating fresh, human-grade food from The Farmer’s Dog take in more water than those eating dry kibble, even when kibble-fed dogs lap up water all day long.
• It’s soft, and easy to eat for dogs who may be missing teeth.
• It’s proven by our research to be more palatable than leading kibble brands (it tastes better), which is a huge plus for older dogs who become pickier eaters.
• It contains high-quality protein sources that can help senior dogs maintain lean muscle mass.
Just as for their younger counterparts, it’s important for seniors to stay in a healthy body condition—something that’s easier to achieve and maintain with pre-portioned fresh food. As your dog’s needs change, it’s simple to make adjustments.
What should I feed my dog with a medical condition?
The Farmer’s Dog has formulas that are good for dogs of all ages—from puppies to seniors. However, there can be medical reasons that certain individual dogs require diets with more or less of a certain nutrient.
The person who’s most qualified to give you guidance about what food will be healthiest for your dog, especially if they’re dealing with a medical condition, is your veterinarian. If you’re ever in doubt about your dog’s diet, or any other aspect of their care, call your vet.
The post Why The Farmer’s Dog Is Great for All Life Stages appeared first on The Farmer’s Dog - Digest.
Comments
Post a Comment