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LIFE STAGE NUTRITION
Practical information about the nutritional needs of cats and dogs at each life stage, including growth, maintenance, reproduction and aging.
Puppy
Supporting the Puppy’s Developing Immune System
Puppies are born with functional but immature immune systems. Specific nutrients can support growing puppies' immune systems and help enhance their immune response, helping them to fight disease or infection.
70% of the immune system is located in the gut.
Key Messages
Antioxidant nutrients:
- Immune cells produce more free radicals (unstable molecules that can cause damage) than other cells and are vulnerable to injury and oxidative damage.
- Antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C, lutein, flavonoids, zinc and selenium, may help to protect the immune cells from the damage of free radicals and help the developing immune system to respond optimally to vaccination.
Bovine colostrum:
- Purina research shows that feeding the bioactives and antibodies found in colostrum can provide immune benefits at any life stage.
- Studies show that adult dogs fed a diet with colostrum demonstrated a stronger and longer immune response to canine distemper virus vaccination, with a 50% increase in antibody levels after 6 months.
Probiotics:
- Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help to maintain an optimal balance of gut bacteria. Probiotics can promote healthier immune function and have been used for many years for the maintenance and restoration of healthy gut microflora in animals showing disturbances caused by changes in diet, stress and antibiotic therapy.
Prebiotics:
- Prebiotics are soluble fibers that serve as food for the beneficial gut bacteria, promoting their growth. Prebiotics also support the health of the gut itself. Prebiotics used in pet food include purified inulin, wheat aleurone, and chicory root.
"Nutrition and specific nutrients found in pet food can help support a puppy’s developing immune system and help them to get the most out of their vaccinations."
Additional Resources
Case, L. P., Daristotle, L., Hayek, M. G., & Raasch, M. F. (2011). Canine and feline nutrition (3rd ed.). Mosby. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-06619-8.10025-8
Jean-Philippe, C. Beneficial effects of dietary colostrum supplementation in kittens, Nestlé Purina Scientific Update on Feline Nutrition, 4, 1–8.
Satyaraj, E., Reynolds, A., Pelker, R., Labuda, J., Zhang, P., & Sun, P. (2013). Supplementation of diets with bovine colostrum influences immune function in dogs. British Journal of Nutrition, 110(12), 2216–2221. doi:10.1017/S000711451300175X
Nestlé Purina Probiotic SF68 Studies:
Benyacoub, J., Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L., Cavadini, C., Sauthier, T., Anderson, R. E., Schiffrin, E. J., & von der Weid, T. (2003). Supplementation of food with Enterococcus faecium (SF68) stimulates immune functions in young dogs. Journal of Nutrition, 133(4), 1158–1162.
Bybee, S. N., Scorza, A. V., & Lappin, M. R. (2011). Effect of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 on presence of diarrhea in cats and dogs housed in an animal shelter. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 25(4), 856–60. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0738.x
Fenimore, A., Martin, L., & Lappin, M. R. (2017). Evaluation of metronidazole with and without Enterococcus faecium SF68 in shelter dogs with diarrhea. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 32(3), 100–103. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2017.11.001
Lappin, M. R., Veir, J. K., Satyaraj, E., & Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L. (2009). Pilot study to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation of Enterococcus faecium SF68 on cats with latent feline herpesvirus 1. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 11:650–654.
Simpson, K. W., Rishniw, M., Bellosa, M., Liotta, J., Lucio, A., Baumgart, M., & Bowman, D. (2009). Influence of Enterococcus faecium SF68 probiotic on giardiasis in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 23(3):476–481. doi:10.1111/j.1939–1676.2009.0283.x
Torres-Henderson, C., Summers, S., Suchodolski, J., & Lappin, M. R. (2017). Effect of Enterococcus faecium strain SF68 on gastrointestinal signs and fecal microbiome in cats administered amoxicillin-clavulanate. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 32(3), 104–108. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2017.11.002
Veir, J. K., Knorr, R., Cavadini, C., Sherrill, S. J., Benyacoub, J., Satyaraj, E., & Lappin, M. R. (2007). Effect of supplementation with Enterococcus faecium (SF68) on immune functions in cats. Veterinary Therapeutics, 8(4), 229–238.
Waldron, M., Kerr, W., Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L., & Davis, J. (2012). Supplementation with Enterococcus faecium SF68 Reduces Flatulence in Dogs. Presented at the International Scientific Congress of the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Nestlé Purina Prebiotic Studies:
Patil, A. R., Czarnecki-Maulden, G., & Dowling, K. E. (2000). Effect of advances in age on fecal microflora of cats. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, 14(4), A488.
Patil, A. R., Carrion, P. A., & Holmes, A. K. (2001). Effect of chicory supplementation on fecal microflora of cats. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, 15(4), A288.
Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L. (2001). Microflora and fiber in the GI tract: Helping the good guys. Veterinary Forum, 18(9), 43–45.
Czarnecki-Maulden, G. (2000). The use of prebiotics in prepared pet food. Veterinary International, 2(1), 19–23.
Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L., & Russell, T. J. (2000a). Effect of chicory on fecal microflora in dogs fed soy-containing or soy-free diets. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, 14(4), A488.
Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L., & Russell, T. J. (2000b). Effect of diet type on fecal microflora in dogs. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, 14(4), A488.