PROBLEMY ŻYWIENIOWE PSÓW RAS DUŻYCH I OLBRZYMICH. CZĘŚĆ II. PSY DOROSŁE

Abstract

The subject of dog nutrition is gaining popularity due to the growing awareness of the caregivers. Although there are foods dedicated to dogs of different breeds available on the market, caregivers relatively rarely wonder what they really differ from each other and what significance it has for animals. Many dogs are fed the same food for extended periods of time. The product designated as a complete/maintenance food is, according to legal regulations, balanced in such a way that it can be the only source of food for the animal, without leading to nutrient deficiencies. A dog’s digestive tract has not changed for hundreds of years, but the physiology of dog nutrition depends on the size of the breed. Dogs of small, medium, large and giant breeds, despite the fact that they belong to one species, have different nutritional needs. These differences must be taken into account in order to meet the needs as best as possible. The smaller the dog, the greater the digestive volume, and vice versa. The diet of large and giant breed dogs should be enriched with functional additives supporting the work of the joints. This need results from the fact that representatives of large and giant breeds, due to their size and large body weight, are particularly exposed to excessive strain on the elbows and hips.