New Breathroughs in the Understanding of Growth in Large and Giant Breed Puppies
By Royal Canin Scientific Communications

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Energy Requirements:
A new approach to energy requirements during growth

Young puppies have an extremely high energy requirement. A low fat food necessitates a very large ration volume. This can create a higher workload on the digestive system and make it difficult to attain an ideal weight in the puppy.

With Maxi Baby Dog and Giant Baby Dog Royal Canin is now able to offer puppies from 2 to 5 months a high-energy food in a smaller ration.

Intestinal Permeability and Colonic Fermentative Activity

A new interpretation of the digestive sensitivity of large-breed puppies based on an ongoing unpublished study launched in 1998 together with National Veterinarian's College (École Nationale Vétérinaire) in Nantes (France) The results of this study have shown the highest intestinal permeability of large-breed dogs and the fact that a rise in fermentative activity in the colon is directly correlated to the size of the dog. This is part of the new knowledge that now allows Royal Canin to take the next step in the digestive safety of food for large-breed puppies.

Natural Defenses

A new approach to immunity

A puppy's immune defenses are initially determined by antibodies transmitted by the mother and by vaccinations. Recent studies by the Waltham Research Centre have shifted the focus to a fact that has not been fully realized until now: that nutrition can accelerate and improve the production of antibodies by the puppy. This effect is particularly interesting during the critical period known as the "immunity gap" which a weaning puppy passes through.

These new advances are expressions of our philosophy: 'Knowledge and Respect'. A philosophy founded not on a fascination for scientific dogma, but on humility before this fledgling but maturing science that is Nutrition.