Linseed, providing natural sources of omega fatty acids to support healthy skin and coat condition and reducing inflammation As an overall guide feeding a palatable, balanced adult maintenance diet during this period is ideal in a normal healthy pregnancy, and there should be no need to supplement. All of our adult diets are suitable for the requirements of pregnancy, however, Gilpa Trinkets, Dr. John Titanium are ideal for particularly small females or those likely to have a large litter as these diets have higher energy and protein content which will help with the additional requirements of pregnancy and enhance milk yield. If you keep an entire (un-neutered) male dog at home as well, then you may find it necessary to make arrangements for them to have a holiday away from home during the season. This should be for at least 28 days from the date the bleeding was first noticed. Feeding during a season Carb-rich ingredients: includes all ingredients derived from grains, pseudo-grains, potatoes and other starchy root vegetables, sweet potato and legumes (except whole peas which are categorised under fruit and veg) except for isolated protein and extracted oils. Also includes fibre supplements.

There are of-course some objections to this, but these tend to be from owners that use this food irregularly. Any responsible owner knows that dogs need routine, the same goes for their food too. There are reports of a couple of owners that have had issues, but in comparison to some of the other brands we have reviewed, these are very few and far between. We understand that all dogs are different, and we know that not Dr John might not work for every dog out there.Our Dr John dog food review is totally non-biased, so please do take a read over our clear sections in your own time. If you are thinking of making the switch to Dr John dog food, then you have come to the right place. We can help you to make your decision!

Ideal for dogs with sensitive digestion or allergies, providing an easy to digest recipe they’ll love It’s worth getting your vet to advise you on the birth process with puppies and what might go wrong if this is the first litter you have overseen. Reference books can also provide additional information and reassurance on the day. Finally, research whelping kits (ID collar bands, UV lamps, heat pads and bitch milk replacer for instance) early on to ensure you have everything to hand when needed. WHAT TO FEED DURING PREGNANCY Suitable for all dogs over 8 weeks of age with an active lifestyle, Dr John Grain Free is highly palatable, perfect for feeding dry or moistened with water to create a delicious, enticing gravy and softer texture some dogs prefer. It contains no artificial nasties, or added sugars or salts, helping to keep your dog in the very best condition every day. Large & giant breed puppies will need to be fed a growth diet for much longer than a toy or small breeds, whilst a terrier pup will finish its growth by 6 months of age, a giant breed like a Newfoundland will still be growing at 18 months. It’s particularly important that growth in these larger dogs is evenly spread over this period and the nutrient levels are appropriate. Our growth diets, as with all our diets, require no supplementation as they are complete foods with all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals needed for growth in the right proportions. In fact supplementing with additional minerals or vitamins can create a nutrient imbalance which can affect coat, appetite and even bones. There is some evidence to suggest mineral imbalance can cause bones to become enlarged yet with lower bone density which could have detrimental consequences in later life (osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis). WHY CAN’T I FEED MY PUPPY ADULT FOOD? Dr John knows exactly what they are doing and they always have nutrition in mind when creating their foods. There are a vast amount of health benefits which include:Dr John has a wide range of dog food available which includes: Dr John Puppy Food, Dr John Hypoallergenic, Dr John Titanium, Dr John Silver, Dr John Gold and Dr John Grain-Free Dog Food.

Used and loved by us, vets, trainers, professionals and pet owners for years, with our trusted Paw of Approval! The female heat cycle or season occurs twice per year and starts at between 5-8 months of age. The first time can be quite stressful, as apart from the mess, you will also have to contend with the risk of an unwanted pregnancy if you are not vigilant in keeping male dogs away from her. It is particularly important to avoid the risk of pregnancy in the first season as she will not be fully grown or developed which can run the risk of dystocia (difficulty during whelping, that often necessitates a caesarean) and she is not likely to be an attentive mother.

Another common complication is false pregnancy. This can occur soon after the heat cycle and mimic all the signs of pregnancy. Typically symptoms will last for a month or so before subsiding naturally. Getting a vet’s diagnosis can be helpful in ruling out other possible causes. Mixed Herbs including sage, oregano, mint, rosemary, turmeric and ginger, supporting bodily functions naturally Green Lipped Mussel, supporting healthy joints and active mobility by providing natural sources of chondroitin and glucosamine Firstly more energy: working or sporting dogs are likely to need either a higher energy diet like Dr. John Titanium or a good active maintenance diet like Dr. John Gold, with enough energy for activity, protein for growth, maintenance and repair of tissues and essential fats for condition and additional energy. Start by feeding towards the upper end of the recommended feeding requirements to get the right level to maintain condition in your dog. Feeding twice a day is ideal for most dogs, however, it needs to be at appropriate times for a working dog so they rest after eating to encourage good digestion before starting a period of work.

At the other end of the spectrum, the racing Greyhound has been designed for immense speed, sprinting over short distances and extraordinary concentration on the lure but then followed by collapsing on the sofa at the end of the day. Racing Greyhounds need small biscuit based diets to suit their mouth size (like Dr John Grain Free) and the diet must be low bulk, high digestibility and high fat and with a good level of protein (24-25%) as this improves race times and prevents the development of anaemia which they are prone to. The mineral content of the diet is particularly important for greyhounds as they need up to 2-3 times the normal levels of a sedentary dog, to cope with the stress of racing. A supplement during race season may be needed to keep the Greyhound in good health.As your dog ages, there is a general decrease in energy needs, firstly due to a reduction in physiological needs but also due to reduced activity. Therefore, it makes sense to keep a close eye on any weight fluctuations and reduce the amount fed as required. On a physiological level, ageing can lead to a number of changes in your dog’s body, seniors often have lower glucose tolerance, less lean body mass, and reduced function from their kidneys (reduced kidney blood flow and glomerular filtration rate), their immune function, hormone secretion and response, brain and enzyme activity and mineral uptake/homeostasis can all be reduced too, making them more vulnerable to illness, environmental changes and digestion and absorption issues. However, this being said, you do get for what you pay for, and there are hundreds, if not thousands of happy owners that swear by Dr John’s. Conclusion All dogs will vary in their nutritional requirements, and although estimates can be made for average breed size, individuals may require more or less than these guidelines. Factors to consider are whether your dog is smaller or larger than the standard for the breed, how active they are, their energy levels, their age and appetite. Then, start with the recommended feeding amount and adjust to as many of these factors as possible – never going more than 50% over or under the starting amount (exceptions for puppies and during breeding). Always remember to subtract a small amount for treats if using these as behavioural rewards. The resulting amount is your starting point. Immediate signs of overfeeding are struggling to finish the food in one sitting and loose stools or diarrhoea; a more long term effect is weight gain. If you under feed, some obvious signs are that your dog will be ravenously hungry and constantly asking for food even after finishing the meal and in the longer term, weight loss will result. Weigh your dog regularly and keep a careful eye on their shape to maintain a good level of condition. You should see a nice covering on your dog but the ribs should be felt once you press lightly. How you measure the food is important, the best way is to weigh the food out each time as this avoids inaccuracies gradually being built up over time. Alternatively a measuring cup or marked scoop can be used, but with this method it is worth weighing out the amount you are measuring every now and again, to make sure that the amount still matches the weight you are expecting. NEW PUPPY? Recovering from operations, or long term illnesses should also be taken into account when considering diet, even in the case of standard operations like neutering or dental treatments. Assess how your dog is coping; whether there are problems with chewing after dental work (in which case soak the food for longer in warm water to soften it). If activity has to be restricted, then consider changing diet to a lighter, highly digestible food, as your dog will still want to have normal sized meals but won’t be using the same amount of energy as before. Joint supplements may be useful, for instance, an active ingredient in NZ green lipped mussel has been found to have an anti-inflammatory effect, and other ingredients are present that benefit joint health (We use a joint complex in many of our diets, ( Gilpa Kennel for instance). In some dogs, neutering can have a long term effect on metabolism slowing it so these dogs are prone to weight gain and will need to be fed a lighter or low fat diet. (try Dr. John Silver).