Irish Wolfhound Diet and Nutrition

A giant breed dog like an Irish Wolfhound also comes with a giant appetite (and food bill!).  They are rapidly growing and late maturing, not reaching their full adult size until 2 years of age.  As a result of this, it is very important to get your puppy's nutrition right. They need a premium quality large and giant breed puppies food with tightly regulated energy and calcium contents to control the rate of growth and prevent joint problems.  Additions like omega fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin are also recommended for joint support.  We recommend feeding a premium diet from a reputable pet food company that has undergone AAFCO feeding trials until 18-24 months of age.  The diet should be fed in controlled amounts to promote slow rate of growth and a lean body condition score of 4/9.  Check out Body Condition Assessment for more information on assessing body condition scores.

It is also important to prevent Irish Wolfhound puppies from engaging in prolonged or strenuous exercise.  Like many giant breed dogs, they are prone to orth

opaedic developmental problems that can result from additional strain on their rapidly growing joints.  Avoid forced exercise, instead let them explore at their own pace and use mental stimulation instead to prevent excess strain on their still developing joints.