Specialty Dog Formulations Tailoring Diets to Suit Your Pet s Requirements
Pregnancy, lactation, and growth are the most nutritionally demanding times in an animals life. Nutrient concentrations that may be adequate for adult animals at maintenance could cause serious harm to a pregnant or growing animal. In fact, most cases of severe health problems due to nutritionally inadequate diets are seen in growing puppies and kittens fed home-prepared diets. In addition to concerns over nutritional adequacy, logistically, properly balanced home-cooked diets tend to be difficult to feed due to constantly changing energy and nutrient requirements during both pregnancy and growth. Unlike with commercial diets, the amounts fed of home-cooked diets cannot be as easily adjusted without altering the nutrient profile due to the multiple ingredients and supplements required. Because of logistical concerns, the narrower margin of error and the potential risk of lifelong repercussions, we strongly discourage feeding home-prepared diets to dogs or cats for reproduction or growth. We formulate home-cooked diets for growth (< 12 months of age), pregnancy, and lactation only when strictly medically necessary. However, once your dog or cat is at least one year of age or has completed lactation, we are happy to formulate a nutritionally-balanced home-cooked diet.
We recommend feeding all pregnant and lactating animals commercial diets that have ideally passed AAFCO feeding trials for reproduction or all life stages, or that have been formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth or all life stages. Growing kittens should be fed a kitten diet or an all life stages formula until one year of age. Growing small and medium breed puppies should be fed a puppy or all life stages formula until one year of age. Large and giant breed puppies (adult size >50 lbs) should be fed a diet specifically designed for large breed puppies until 12-18 months of age. Throughout growth, its important to keep your puppy or kitten lean to reduce risks for health problems and to optimize his or her lifespan. Be aware that spaying or neutering your pet reduces his or her calorie requirements so its important to reduce calories at the time of surgery to reduce the risks for obesity. We are happy to help you select appropriate diets for your breeding animals or growing puppies and kittens.
Types of dog food and how to choose the right one
Just like with humans, there are specialty diets or dietary choices designed with considerations for a dogs age, health, or breed. Lets explore the six types:
1. Lifestage food
This term refers to a diet in which different food is given to your dog at each stage of their life. Sometimes these stages can be as simple as puppy, adult, and senior while other brands utilize more specific stages like weaning, juniors, nursing, etc. Many kibbles on the market are all stages foods meaning they can be fed to your dog no matter their age.
Theres currently debate on whether specific lifestage or all stages food is a better option, but there is no definitive answer one way or the other. If youre curious about this style of feeding, consult with your vet.
2. Prescription food
If your dog has been diagnosed with a health issue or is recovering from surgery, your vet may prescribe a special prescription dog food diet. These dog foods are only available with a prescription from your dogs veterinarian.
There is a wide variety of prescription dog foods for illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, kidney issues, and weight management, to name a few. These diets include extra nutritional support or exclude ingredients that can further exacerbate your dogs health issue.
3. Breed-specific food
These foods are formulated with the idea that certain breeds have specific dietary needs. While many breeds can thrive on general diets, breed-specific diets may be helpful in specific contexts.
Larger dogs are prone to joint pain while dogs like Dachshunds may be prone to back problems. Certain diets can promote bone density and ligament support.
On the other hand, you may have a dog with small teeth who finds it tough to chew larger chunks of food in which case small bites may be easier. If you have a large breed puppy, like a Great Dane, youll want to get them a kibble that supports their growth.
All in all, breed-specific food may not be the answer so much as what is specific to your dog and their needs.
4. Grain-free food
A few years back, grain-free dog foods were trending. Then the FDA got reports that dogs who ate grain-free diets were being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathyTrusted SourceVCA HospitalsCommunity of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information.Go to source (DCM), a disease of the dogs heart muscle that results in an enlarged heart.
The FDA has since continued to investigate any connection between heart disease and grain-free foods. Veterinarians now recommend avoiding grain-free dog food unless your dog has a serious grain allergy (which is quite rare!).
5. High-protein food
Like with any food option, this one will be determined by your dogs specific needs. Protein is an essential building block in both the human and canine body, but sometimes certain dogs may need more than others.
Puppies, for example, need more protein than dogs that have already finished growing and those that hunt, play sport, or are highly active may also need more protein.
6. Sensitive stomach or limited ingredient food
Chronic stomach sensitivity in dogs is usually caused by allergies and intolerances and food made specifically for these situations can help ensure your dog gets the nutrients they need.
Many sensitive stomach foods contain probiotics and prebiotics that help promote healthy digestion. In that same vein, these foods may stray away from protein sources that have a history of causing tummy upset like beef or chicken, and opt for fish, venison, or lamb.
Limited ingredient food follows a similar path and has a shortened ingredient list that is free of common allergens like soy, beef, and chicken. If you suspect your dog has stomach issues or allergies, chat with your veterinarian about which option is best.
Diet and nutrition for dogs
There are lots of types of dog food on the market, including complete dry diets, wet food with or withoutbiscuit mixers, and fresh dog food. So it could be difficult to know what is best to feed your dog!
Generally, a good complete food should provide all the essential nutrients for your dog. Dry food can also be good for your dogs teeth.
Its difficult to give your dog everything they need with a homemade or raw food diet so we recommend buying commercial dog food, rather than making your own. If you decide to give your dog this type of food, always seek veterinary advice first.
The food you need will depend on your dogs life stage
Most foods are now available to suit the different life stages: puppy, adult and senior. These have been formulated carefully to match the needs of dogs at different ages, so make sure you buy the right one for your dog. As your dog gets older, transition to the next food gradually.
Puppies can move on to adult food once theyve stopped growing when this is will vary depending on their size and breed. Check the food manufacturers guidance and speak to your vet to decide the right timing for your dog.
How to change your dogs food
Its important your dogs diet is consistent, as sudden changes could cause an upset stomach.
If you want or need to introduce a new diet, do this over the course of a few days to a week. Start by replacing a small amount of your dogs current food with their new food, and gradually increase the proportion of new food.
How much should I feed my dog?
Check the food packet for a guide to work out the right amount of food for your dog. But be aware that these are only guidelines, and you may need to adjust according to your dogs individual needs.
How much food your dog needs will depend on their activity levels and metabolism, so youll need to monitor their weight and body condition. Heres a useful guide to maintaining a healthy body condition.
Be careful not to overfeed your dog. Obesity increases your dogs risk of arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. If you think your dog may be overweight, your vet will be able to help you with a feeding and exercise plan.
If you're not sure what a healthy weight is for your dog, or how much to feed them, speak to your vet.
Exploring Custom Formulations: Tailoring Supplements to Your Brands Vision
Are you looking to promote your brand with a unique and quality product? Custom supplement formulations might be the answer youre looking for. With the supplement industry constantly growing, its important to stand out in the market and offer something different. Creating a custom formulation allows you to tailor a supplement to your brands vision and provide your customers with a product that they cant find anywhere else.
Understanding the Basics of Custom Formulations
If youre looking to create a unique supplement that aligns with your brands vision, custom formulations are the way to go. Custom formulations allow you to tailor your supplement to meet the specific needs and preferences of your target market. However, before you start formulating, its important to understand the basics of custom formulations.
Role of Ingredients in Custom Formulations
Ingredients play a critical role in custom formulations. The effectiveness of your supplement depends on the quality and standard of your ingredients. When formulating, its important to use high-quality ingredients that are safe and effective. Quality ingredients are sourced from reputable suppliers and are free from contaminants and impurities.
Raw materials come in various forms, including powder, liquid, capsule, and tablets. The formulators will choose the best form of ingredient for your custom supplement formulation based on your requirements. For instance, if youre formulating a liquid supplement, youll need to use liquid ingredients. Similarly, if youre formulating a capsule supplement, youll need to use capsule ingredients.
Exploring Various Forms of Supplements
Custom supplements come in various forms, including powders, liquids, and capsules. Each form has its advantages and disadvantages, and its important to choose the right form for your supplement. Powders, for instance, are easy to mix and can be flavored to improve taste. Liquids, on the other hand, are easily absorbed by the body and are ideal for people who have difficulty swallowing pills. Capsules are convenient and easy to take, but they may not be suitable for people who have digestive issues.
Tailoring Supplements to Your Brands Vision
Custom formulations are a crucial aspect of building a successful supplement brand. By tailoring your supplements to your brands vision, you can create innovative, high-quality products that offer unique benefits to your target market. In this section, we will explore the key steps involved in tailoring supplements to your brands vision.
Identifying the Target Market
The first step in tailoring your supplements to your brands vision is to identify your target market. This involves conducting extensive research to understand the needs and preferences of your potential buyers. By understanding your target market, you can create products that meet their specific needs and offer unique benefits that set your brand apart from the competition.
Building a Strong Brand Identity
Once you have identified your target market, the next step is to build a strong brand identity. This involves developing a unique selling proposition (USP) that sets your brand apart from the competition. Your USP should be based on the unique benefits that your products offer and should be communicated clearly through your branding, label design, and marketing materials.
Ensuring Quality and Compliance
To build a successful supplement business, you must ensure that your products meet the highest standards of quality and compliance. This involves partnering with a reputable manufacturer who has expertise in custom formulations and can help you navigate the complex regulatory landscape.
At BioThrive Sciences, we are committed to ensuring that our private-label supplements are of the highest quality and are GMP compliant. We also offer third-party testing and certifications to ensure that our products meet the highest standards of quality control.
In conclusion, tailoring supplements to your brands vision is a crucial aspect of building a successful supplement brand. By identifying your target market, building a strong brand identity, and ensuring quality and compliance, you can create innovative, high-quality products that offer unique benefits to your customers and help you stand out in the competitive supplement market.
