Australian Labradoodle Nutrition
Revitalize Your Doodle’s Diet with K-9 Supplements
Congratulations on your new Australian Labradoodle pup!
Who wouldn’t fall head over heels for those dreamy brown eyes, that glossy coat of fur, and the ceaseless antics? That new bundle of energy will become your BFF for its entire life. And as your dog grows and matures, it will depend on you for everything – especially its food.
Picking out the right food for your dog is critical for its overall health. So what should you feed your dog?
Raw food or dog kibble
If you’ve joined any of the social media groups for dog breeds, you’ve likely witnessed heated debates between feeding raw food or kibble to your Australian Labradoodle dog.
Raw food devotees favor creating customized uncooked meals for their dogs. Owners typically base the raw food diet on muscle meats, bones (ground or whole), organ meats (livers, kidneys, etc.), and raw eggs, along with vegetables, fruit, and even yogurt (for the probiotics). Called BARF (Bones and Raw Food/Biologically Appropriate Raw Food), this nutritional approach has drawbacks. Vets have expressed concern about the presence of harmful bacteria in raw foods and the possibility of creating an unbalanced diet. On the other hand, advocates rave about their dogs’ improved health, greater energy and smaller stools.
Kibble fans rave over the convenience of providing a balanced diet in every scoop, but there’s more to consider when feeding your dog prepared food. Many kibble brands contain the right balance of protein, carbs and fat, as well as the vitamins and minerals needed for growing strong bones and healthy tissue. Federally regulated, dog kibble contains a balanced diet of protein, grains and cereals, and vitamins. So does the canned food for your dog. Dry food and wet canned food are safer to handle. They are less expensive than BARF as well.
When feeding dry kibble or wet canned food, look for foods that list protein (not a protein by-product) as the first ingredient. Grains are also important for growing puppies and larger dogs like Australian Labradoodles. These dogs rely on carbs for energy. Choose the grain carefully; your dog may have an allergy to a particular grain. Discuss dietary options with your vet.
Regardless of the diet you select, feed your puppy three times a day. After its first birthday, feed your dog twice daily — in the morning and at night.
When supplements are a must
Many Labradoodle dog parents feel that the right diet is all their canine companion needs. In some cases, that’s true. However, regardless of the nutritional approach you choose for your dog, your pet may need a dietary boost, especially as it ages.
Taking supplements isn’t a new thing. Humans do it all the time, in the form of vitamins, minerals, and other plant-based treatments. The reason is simple: supplements can boost immunity, ease the aging process and improve our overall health.
It’s only natural to want the same benefits for our dogs, whether they are growing into adulthood, enjoying an active lifestyle, or aging gently and without unnecessary pain. Canine supplements can enhance overall health or ease the pain of certain hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or nutritional deficiencies.
Australian Labradoodles (like any other puppy) can be susceptible to a variety of illnesses, including:
· prcd-Progressive Retinal Atrophy (a degenerative condition that can cause blindness)
· Hip dysplasia (joint problems)
· Addison’s disease (poor stress management and digestion)
· Sebaceous Adenitis (flaky, stinky skin)
· von Willebrand’s disease (blood that doesn’t clot)
· Coat problems (dry, unruly fur)
That doesn’t mean your dog will develop these conditions; many dogs never do. If your doodle becomes ill, avoid delay. Seek medical intervention. You don’t have to pass up adding an Australian Labradoodle to your family. Instead, add supplements to your Doodle’s diet to ensure optimal health.
Supplements your dog needs now
Canine supplements help to mitigate health issues like hip dysplasia or a compromised immune system. The added nutrients ease the aging process for senior dogs that might not be able to generate cell growth and repair on their own.
In hip or elbow dysplasia, the joint grinds painfully against the socket. The condition can be hereditary, but improper nutrition also can cause dysplasia. Just like in humans, carrying too much extra weight can stress the joints and sockets, causing them to hit against each other during movement. The dog is less likely to get exercise, which results in more weight gain and even less agility.
Older dogs also can suffer from dysplasia. Supplements help them rebuild soft tissues and lubricate elbow and hip joints. Multigenerational Australian Labradoodles especially may benefit from supplements because their parents, Labrador Retrievers and Standard Poodles, are also prone to hip dysplasia as they age.
Our multi-generational labradoodles make wonderful pets!
NuJoint Plus and NuJoint DS Wafers
The solution? Feed your Australian Labradoodle a wafer-like hip and joint supplement that contains pharmaceutical-grade ingredients like NuJoint Plus® Hip and Joint Support. Look for the types of ingredients that promote optimal joint care, including:
· Glucosamine, a cartilage catalyst for good joint health.
· Chondroitin, the lubricant for joints to move easily in their sockets.
· Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a biologically active sulfur that softens soft tissue cell rigidity and increases fluidity between cells.
· Vitamin C, which stimulates growth in cartilage and repairs soft tissue.
Preset dosages each contain a consistent ratio of ingredients. All you do is feed your dog 2-3 wafers daily, depending on weight. NuJoint Plus also offers double-strength wafers (Nujoint DS K-9 Wafers) for Australian Labradoodles needing a jump start to better joint health.
NuVet Plus K-9 Powders
Improper nutrition can result in poor health. Our beloved pets are particularly at risk. Even if you feed your dog a diet of high-quality premium food (raw or dog kibble and wet canned foods), there’s a risk that it may ingest by-products, bacteria, and other toxins, thereby compromising its health. Even the treats we feed our dogs may affect overall canine health. After all, junk food isn’t a healthy nutritional choice for people or dogs.
For Australian Labradoodles with compromised immune systems, try NuVet Plus® K9 Powder. Formulated by veterinarians, industry experts, and medical specialists, this supplement
Provides an enhanced combination of nutrients your dog needs to establish a healthy immune system. The powder includes naturally sourced vitamins and minerals, amino acids and enzymes, and the antioxidants and herbs for enhanced immunity.
Even finicky pets will enjoy the taste. When mixed with a raw diet or dog kibble, your dog’s system will absorb the nutrients in NuVet Plus K-9 Powder. It works immediately to build immunity and protect your dog from free radicals that cause disease.
Your pet’s health is important. So is feeding it a nutritionally balanced diet. If you’re not absolutely certain that your Australian Labradoodle is getting the best nutrition possible in every meal, it’s time to add supplements to your Doodle’s diet. They can boost immunity, ease the aging process and improve overall canine health.
Here’s a secret: NuVet nutritional supplements aren’t just for Australian Labradoodles. All dog breeds can benefit from NuJoint Plus and NuJoint DS Wafers, as well as NuVet Plus K-9 Powders.
