Puppies are a source of boundless joy and, as pet owners, it’s our responsibility to take care of them and ensure that they have healthy, happy lives. One critical aspect of a puppy’s health is his skeletal system, which is fundamentally different from that of an adult dog. By understanding how a puppy’s skeletal system works, how to feed him the right diet and how to exercise him correctly, you can ensure that your furbaby grows up healthy and strong.
Growth plates
Puppies have areas in their long bones called physis or growth plates. These are made of cartilage, which turns into bone as the puppy grows, leading to an increase in bone length. Once the bone reaches adult size, the growth plate closes, and any damage to the growth plate can cause premature closure, which can be a problem if the puppy has not yet reached his adult size.
The rate at which a puppy’s growth plates close depends on whether he is a small breed or a large breed dog. The growth plates of bones in small breeds begin to close from about three months of age and usually all close by 12 months of age. In contrast, the growth plates of bones in large breeds only start to close at about five months of age and may take up to 18 months to close entirely. These closed growth plates (or physeal lines) can be seen on an x-ray. So, the next time your dog needs to have an x-ray taken, ask your vet to show you the physeal lines.
Dr Christine Steyn, from the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science, says: “Large breed dogs are generally still seen as puppies (or skeletally immature) until they are about one and a half years old. It is therefore interesting to note that dogs can be sexually mature – in other words, they are ready to breed – before they reach their adult size.”
Nutrition
Because large breed puppies take longer to reach skeletal maturity, it’s crucial to feed them the correct diet until at least 18 months of age, after which they can switch to an adult diet.
Feeding your puppy a diet formulated for their age and breed is vital, as puppies require a higher level of minerals and nutrients, since their bodies are still growing. Calcium and phosphorus are two of the most important minerals for bone health, and their ratio is critical. If a large breed dog’s diet has an incorrect ratio, it can lead to long bones growing too quickly, weakening both the bones and the joints.
To keep your puppy’s bones healthy and strong throughout his life, you should feed him the correct diet according to his age and breed. Feeding him the correct quantities and ratios of high-quality nutrients (proteins, minerals and carbohydrates) that his breed requires, is essential. Your veterinarian can prescribe a diet specifically developed for large or small breed puppies.
“If you feed your puppy the correct veterinary diet according to his needs, any food supplements not prescribed by your vet will be wasteful, costly and can have a detrimental effect on your pet’s health,” says Dr Steyn.
The amount of food your puppy receives should be in line with his physical activity levels, age, breed and expected adult weight. Overfeeding your puppy can lead to excessive weight gain, which will put stress on his skeletal structure and prevent normal development.
Activity levels
Starting agility exercises too soon can lead to trauma in the growth plates. It’s crucial not to expose your puppy to too much strenuous exercise before he reaches skeletal maturity. Veterinarians recommend training small breed dogs from a young age to use steps to climb onto and off furniture to avoid fractures.
Exercise is essential for puppies, but it should be done in moderation and using the right techniques. By understanding how to exercise your puppy correctly, you can help him build strong, healthy bones.
The best exercises for bone development in puppies are swimming and controlled leash walking.
When assessing your puppy’s bone health, your vet will consider his overall health, discomfort during physical examination, abnormal formation or early signs of abnormal skeletal development. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian can help ensure that any issues are addressed promptly.
Background
If you are buying a puppy from a breeder, Dr Letitia Swartz from Sasolburg Veearts gives the following advice: “Always ensure that you purchase your puppy from a reputable breeder who can supply you with all the correct documentation from the sire and the dam to make sure they do not breed dogs with developmental or congenital defects.”
Hip dysplasia and inflammation of long bones in young, fast-growing dogs are common causes of limping or discomfort in the development phase. Taking care of your puppy’s bone health is critical to his overall wellbeing. By providing the best care for your puppy, you can ensure that he lives a long, healthy and happy life.
