My Puppy Is Not Growing Anymore - Why And What To Do

Proper diet and nutrition are essential for any dog to remain healthy. However, during growth and development, they are particularly important. This is because good nutrition when a puppy will help influence their health status as an adult. An improper diet when young can slow down their growth significantly.

If a puppy does not receive the correct nutrients, they can suffer a retardation of their growth and development. Similarly, they can suffer from diseases if they have either too much or too little of a given nutrient. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy has been linked to having too much calcium in the dog's diet (especially with giant-sized dogs) and rickets in dogs is caused by a lack of vitamin D.

Nutritional deficiencies can stem from various mismanagement of the puppy's diet. Puppies will require feed designed specifically for young dogs, so feeding them the wrong kind can be problematic. Similarly, some guardians wish to provide a puppy a homemade diet, but may provide incorrect ingredients for their needs. For example, providing vegetarian diets for dogs can result in protein insufficiency.

Similarly, not every puppy has the same dietary requirements. If our dog has a food allergy or vitamin deficiency, they will need a tailored diet. The same will be the case if they have a medical condition such as kidney disease. This is why it is essential we take the puppy to a veterinarian for assessment as soon as possible. If we don't, the care we provide might not only stunt their growth, it could make them very ill.

Moreover, the quality of water provided to the puppy should also not be overlooked, as contaminated or poor-quality water can lead to health issues that may indirectly affect growth.

How to avoid nutritional deficiencies in puppies

If we want to offer our puppy homemade recipes, we will need to take them to the veterinarian for information on their specific dietary needs. In general, we would advise against preparing homemade meals for dogs until they are fully matured, at least. You can purchase commercial feed which is specifically designed to meet all of the dog's nutritional needs.

We also need to avoid providing nutritional supplements, especially home remedies we think might be good for them. In many cases, we might be causing them more harm than good. If the puppy needs any dietary supplements, the veterinarian will determine what they are.

Another important aspect is maintaining a regular feeding schedule. Consistent meal times help in regulating metabolism and ensuring that the puppy gets the right amount of nutrition needed at different stages of their growth.