Calcium

20 9:32:41

Question
What is the recommended percentage of calcium in food for a Chocolate Labrador puppy? My puppy is a female, 15 weeks old. She has not been spayed yet.

Answer
It needs to be around 1 %, and below 1.5%. Most puppy chows are near the high end. It is also important to keep the puppy lean. You should be feeding a puppy chow now. Switching to an adult chow for the larger breeds at 4 months, slows growth and helps develop sturdier joints.

Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them. Each dog is different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx