Is your puppy’s bowl balanced?
How to support your puppy’s bone development through the crucial growth phase
Puppyhood is over before you know it, but development in that time goes in leaps and bounds. Bones, muscles, teeth and joints form side by side, and in large-breed puppies especially this crucial growth phase makes tough demands of the meals you serve in their bowl.
It’s not about serving as much as possible, but about serving the right nutrients. Dietary minerals must be present in just the right amounts and correctly balanced to support your puppy’s natural development.
Two of the most crucial minerals in this context are calcium and phosphorus, often referred to as the Ca:P ratio.
At ESSENTIAL FOODS, we formulate our puppy meals with uncompromising attention to puppy size, growth rate and special nutritional requirements. After all, an exceptional beginning calls for more than great ingredients. It calls for precision, consideration and care, and a meal formulated to follow your puppy’s development from the very first bowl.
What is the Ca:P ratio?
Ca stands for calcium and P for phosphorus.
Calcium is generally associated with strong bones and teeth, but this mineral also plays a role in normal muscle function and a healthy nervous system. Phosphorus is also crucial for bone health, but additionally plays a role in energy metabolism and a large number of biological processes.
The two minerals work together in close combination. That’s why it’s not enough to consider how much calcium or phosphorus a meal contains.
The proportion (ratio) of one to the other is at least as important.
A CA:P ratio of 1.1:1 means that the meal contains slightly more calcium than phosphorus.
In “The Importance of Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio”, Dr Timurhan Tastutar, VMD, shares his veterinary science insights into the interaction of calcium and phosphorus, explaining why the precise balance between the two minerals is so critical in the puppy growth phase, especially in large breeds.
Why is the balance especially important for puppies?
An adult dog is better able to regulate its uptake of dietary calcium. However, in a growing puppy this natural regulation is not yet fully developed, which is why the specific mineral composition in a puppy meal is so important.
In other words, more is not necessarily better.
Both inadequate and excessive calcium and phosphorus can impair normal development. This is particularly the case in fast-growing, large-breed puppies, whose bones and joints develop simultaneously with a dramatic increase in body weight.
The aim is not to accelerate growth, but to support it. Providing the physical building blocks for healthy puppyhood in precisely balanced amounts creates the best possible nutritional basis for balanced development at a natural pace.
Large breeds do not grow like small breeds
Small-breed and large-breed puppies do not follow the same growth curve.
In large breeds, the growth phase is typically longer. Their bones, joints and muscles have to develop while their body weight increases significantly. This places special demands on both the energy content of meals and their nutritional balance.
Meals for large-breed puppies should be formulated for their specific growth curve, and not merely be an energy-dense version of a standard puppy meal.
In our veterinary science white paper on the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, Dr Timurhan Tastutar, VMD, explains why large-breed puppies need carefully controlled dietary calcium, especially in the first few months of intensive growth. The white paper also indicates how mineral imbalance can impair bone development and other physiological processes.
Discover our outstanding puppy meals
If you’re already serving ESSENTIALS, you’ll know the peace of mind of choosing the very best for your puppy in a meal bursting with fresh, premium ingredients for optimised nutrition through every growth phase. Our exceptional puppy meals contain all the ingredients for the best start in life.
BEGINNING LARGE BREED, 10KG
free-range British chicken, free-run British duck, Scottish salmon, trout
BEGINNING SMALL BREED, 10KG
free-range British chicken, British country duck, Scottish salmon, trout
BEGINNING LARGE BREED, 2.5KG
free-range British chicken, free-run British duck, Scottish salmon, trout
BEGINNING SMALL BREED, 2.5KG
free-range British chicken, British country duck, Scottish salmon, trout
BEGINNING SMALL BREED WORKING, 10KG
free-range British chicken, British country duck, Scottish salmon, trout
BEGINNING LARGE BREED WORKING, 10KG
free-range British chicken, free-run British duck, Scottish salmon, trout
BEGINNING LARGE BREED NAUTICAL EDITION, 10KG
fresh Scottish salmon, fresh trout, the season’s fish & whole eggs
BEGINNING LARGE BREED WORKING NAUTICAL EDITION, 10KG
fresh Scottish salmon, fresh trout, the season’s fish & whole eggs
BEGINNING LARGE BREED WORKING & SPORTING, 12KG
free-range British chicken, free-run British duck, Scottish salmon, trout
BEGINNING LARGE BREED WORKING & SPORTING NAUTICAL EDITION, 12KG
fresh Scottish salmon, fresh trout, the season’s fish & whole eggs
FACTS AT A GLANCE
The veterinary science behind our meals
In our veterinary white paper on the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, Dr Timurhan Tastutar explains the evidence supporting our meals for large-breed puppies.
The white paper explains why a precise balance of minerals is vital throughout the puppy growth phase, and how our LARGE BREED meals are formulated to cater to the special nutritional requirements of puppies expected to attain an adult weight of more than 15 kg.
3 puppy meals – tailored to differing needs
NO. 01
BEGINNING LARGE BREED Nautical Edition
BEGINNING LARGE BREED NAUTICAL EDITION is developed for puppies expected to weigh more than 15 kg as adults. This meal is made with fresh and dried salmon, trout, seasonal fish and egg.
Meal nutritional profile:
Calcium: 1.3%
Phosphorus: 1.2%
Ca:P ratio: approx. 1.08:1
Protein: 28%
Fat: 15%
Omega-3 fatty acids: 3%
Energy: 3,550 kcal/kg
The generous proportion of fish provides valuable proteins and omega-3 fatty acids, while the levels of calcium and phosphorus are carefully balanced for the large-breed puppy growth phase.
BEGINNING LARGE BREED NAUTICAL EDITION is an ideal choice when the aim is to serve a fish-based puppy meal with uncompromising quality ingredients and controlled nutritional composition.
We recommend:
Serving BEGINNING LARGE BREED NAUTICAL EDITION until 13–18 months, depending on puppy breed, expected adult weight and individual development.
NO. 02
BEGINNING LARGE BREED
Similarly, BEGINNING LARGE BREED is formulated for puppies expected to weigh more than 15 kg as adults. This meal is made with fresh and dried chicken and duck plus salmon, trout and egg.
Meal nutritional profile:
Calcium: 1.4%
Phosphorus: 1.3%
Ca:P ratio: approx. 1.08:1
Protein: 28%
Fat: 14%
Omega-3 fatty acids: 1.6%
Glucosamine: 0.09%
Chondroitin: 0.07%
Energy: 3,620 kcal/kg
This formulation is made with the special growth curve of large-breed puppies in mind. The calcium content is carefully balanced with the phosphorus content, while glucosamine and chondroitin are included as natural elements of the formulation.
We recommend:
Serving BEGINNING LARGE BREED until 13–18 months, depending on puppy breed, expected adult weight and individual development.
NO. 03
BEGINNING SMALL BREED
Small-breed puppies follow a different growth curve to large-breed puppies. They typically have a shorter, more intense growth phase and a higher energy requirement per kilo of body weight. This is why they need a meal with a nutritional profile carefully tailored to their specific size and development.
BEGINNING SMALL BREED is made with fresh and dried chicken and duck plus salmon, trout and egg.
Meal nutritional profile:
Calcium: 1.6%
Phosphorus: 1.3%
Ca:P ratio: approx. 1.23:1
Protein: 35%
Fat: 21%
Omega-3 fatty acids: 1.7%
Glucosamine: 0.09%
Chondroitin: 0.07%
Energy: 3,920 kcal/kg
The higher energy density reflects the small-breed puppy’s special requirements, while the mineral profile is tailored to their growth curve. This is why the composition of this meal differs very intentionally from our meals for large-breed puppies.
The right puppy meal is not only age-dependent. Size in adulthood is just as important a factor in tailoring the energy density, mineral balance and overall nutritional profile to puppy dietary requirements.
5 good reasons to choose meals from ESSENTIALS
01 Tailored to puppy growth phases
02 Crafted from pure, premium quality ingredients
03 Filler-free (grain-free)
04 Help stabilize blood sugar all day long
05 Combine with our delicious pâté for puppies
A good Ca:P ratio cannot stand alone
The Ca:P ratio is key to a well-composed puppy meal, but is not the only factor.
The overall nutritional profile of the meal should be considered as a whole in which each component is carefully tailored to puppy growth, size and individual requirements.
This includes:
The total content of calcium and phosphorus
The grade and origin of the protein
The energy content of the meal
The breed of the puppy and expected adult weight
The daily serving size
The bioavailability of the minerals
What appears to be a good ratio may actually be detrimental if the total content of minerals is too high or too low.
The quality of the ingredients is also important. At ESSENTIAL FOODS, we select ingredients with uncompromising attention to their quality, origin and nutritional value. Calcium and phosphorus are integral to this whole, and act in combination with the other nutrients in the meal.
In our veterinary white paper on calcium and phosphorus, you can read more about the origin and bioavailability of these minerals and complex physiological interactions.
Avoid calcium supplementation without expert advice
When a puppy is served a complete, balanced meal, there is generally no reason to provide a calcium supplement as standard.
Calcium supplementation could actually alter the carefully tailored mineral balance in the meal. This applies especially to large-breed puppies who are not yet fully able to regulate their calcium uptake.
If you are in doubt about your puppy’s growth, body weight or nutritional requirements, you should consult a vet or other expert on canine nutritional requirements.
A balanced beginning to last a lifetime
Puppyhood is short, but the foundation laid in this phase sets up a dog for life.
An exceptional beginning puts puppies on track for lifelong health
Puppyhood is over before you know it, but the foundation laid in early life follows your dog well into adulthood. In this crucial phase, meals must be more than ‘fill-belly’. They have to follow puppy development with precision, support the special needs of a growing dog, and provide the right building blocks for canine health in every single bowl.
At ESSENTIAL FOODS, we don’t believe that one particular meal is the best choice for all puppies. Large and small breeds have differing growth rates, which is why they deserve nutritious meals formulated with respect for their particular growth curve. BEGINNING SMALL BREED, BEGINNING LARGE BREED and BEGINNING LARGE BREED NAUTICAL EDITION each have a carefully balanced nutritional profile – formulated to cater to the unique requirements of a given individual.
The right CA: P ratio is a crucial factor in the overall nutritional balance. Combined with an uncompromising selection of ingredients, high-grade proteins and an energy profile tailored to puppy size, the mineral profile supports the best possible nutritional basis for natural, stable and balanced development.
After all, what you serve in the bowl today shapes the dog your puppy will grow up to become.
Get all the facts by exploring our veterinary white paper on calcium and phosphorus, and learn about the science and expert insight behind the right mineral balance throughout your puppy’s main growth phase.
Ask us anything
We’re here for you. Our passionate nutrition advisers are ready to provide personalised recommendations to get you and your puppy off to the best start. Try our online chat facility for quick answers to everything from serving sizes to the best treats for puppies. Call us for help to understand the feeding chart, or email us, if you prefer.
We can help you:
- Choose the right puppy meal and the right serving size
- Pick treats your puppy will love
- By answering any queries, major or minor, whether you prefer to reach out to us by phone, online chat facility or email – we look forward to advising you.
+44 (0) 1904211600
Monday-Thursday: 8am - 4pm
Friday: 8am - 2pm
1-3 weekdays delivery
Delivery to your door or parcelshop
Never run out of kibble with our subscription service. Feel free to pause or cancel your subscription at any time with no penalty charge