Chewing on shoes? Yipping at midnight? Accidents on the kitchen floor?

Must be a new puppy in the house! In recognition of National Puppy Day on March 23, Holistic Select® staff veterinarian Dr. Al Townshend shares the five key things new puppy parents should know to nourish their growing dogs’ brains and activate a higher level of health.

1. The first step is important and fun: selecting a name for your new addition. Dr. Townshend notes that choosing the right name is part of sound puppy development. Avoid names that sound like commands. A dog might mistake “Joe” for “no,” for instance. And make sure the name is something you will be comfortable calling out in a public place.

2. Now that the puppy is named, be sure to nourish its young, developing brain. It is critical to feed a food supplemented with DHA, an Omega-3 fatty acid, which is essential to the development of nervous tissue and visual function in dogs. “Exciting new research indicates DHA may promote brain and overall good health in animals of all ages,” says Dr. Townshend. “The benefits begin when they receive the proper diet as puppies and this functional ingredient is found in Holistic Select® Nourish Puppy Health Anchovy, Sardine and Chicken Meals Recipe.”

3. Third, consider the need of the breed. The nutritional needs can vary widely, particularly among super-sized puppies such as Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Labrador Retrievers. “Controlled growth is essential for large breed puppies,” says Dr. Townshend. “These breeds actually need fewer calories per pound than smaller breeds. With the potential to grow up to 100 times their birth weight, a large breed puppy’s energy intake must be regulated to ensure consistent, steady growth. Weight gain that comes too quickly can stress developing bones, and may lead to other disorders.”

Conversely, small and miniature breeds have their own metabolism considerations too. Dr. Townshend recommends feeding these large and small breeds specially formulated recipes from Holistic Select. The Large and Giant Breed Puppy Health Lamb Meal and Oatmeal Recipe is designed with fewer calories, optimum levels and proper ratios of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus for proper bone growth and includes natural DHA to help these puppies grow up smart and strong. The Small and Mini Breed Nourish Puppy Health Anchovy, Sardine and Chicken Meals Recipe was created specifically to support the metabolism of active and growing small & mini breed puppies. This recipe packs in enhanced levels of premium proteins, fat, calories and guaranteed levels of natural DHA to support brain development, all in easy to chew kibble size for small mouths and teeth.

All puppies will benefit from added ingredients that have the power to positively impact a dog’s health not just today but for the long term too. Select Actives™ found in all Holistic Select recipes, including the puppy foods, are a combination of enzymes, direct fed microbials, botanicals and phytonutrients that work together to activate a higher level of health.

4. Exercise is another essential element to incorporate into a puppy’s holistic lifestyle. The activity doesn’t have to be overly strenuous in order to be beneficial to their well-being, but regular exercise is key. Set aside a brief period of time daily dedicated to physical activity for your dog. Doing this on a regular basis gives your pup something to look forward to, exercises their developing brain and strengthens their bond with you too.

5. Finally, new puppy parents need to be disciplined too, and watch out for feeding too many snacks. “Typically ‘people snacks’ don’t meet a pet’s nutritional needs,” Dr. Townshend warns. “Feeding people snacks can unbalance a previously balanced diet and may have detrimental side effects, not to mention surface food intolerances.”

Holistic Select Nourish Puppy Health is available nationwide in independent pet specialty stores. To find an authorized Holistic Select retailer, please visit our store locator.

Tags: Pet Health, Pet Nutrition, Photo Galleries, Vet