FEDIAF 2025 dog growth reproduction

FEDIAF 2025 Dog Growth & Reproduction recommended nutrient levels (Table III-3a, units per 100 g DM; "early growth" = <14 weeks & reproduction, "late growth" = ≥14 weeks): Crude Protein minimum 25.00 g (early growth) / 20.00 g (late growth); Crude Fat minimum 8.50 g; Calcium minimum 1.00 g early growth (0.80 g under footnote a for breeds ≤15 kg adult weight; 1.00 g footnote b for breeds >15 kg until ~6 months, after which Ca may drop to 0.8% DM) and 0.70 g late growth — with maxima of 1.60 g (N) early growth and 1.80 g (N) late growth; Phosphorus minimum 0.90 g (early) / 0.70 g (late); Ca:P ratio minimum 1/1, maximum 1.6/1 (N) for early growth & reproduction and 1.8/1a or 1.6/1b (N) for late growth; Sodium minimum 0.22 g; Potassium minimum 0.44 g. The dog growth table sets no taurine minimum (taurine minimums apply to cats only). Energy for growth and reproduction (Tables VII-8a/b): puppies 8 weeks to 1 year need [254.1 − 135 × (actual kg BW ÷ expected mature kg BW)] × actual kg BW0.75 kcal/day, following GfE/Meyer & Zentek growth curves by expected mature size; gestation requires 132 × kg BW0.75 kcal in the first 4 weeks, rising to 132 × kg BW0.75 + 26 × kg BW in the last 5 weeks; lactation requires 145 × kg BW0.75 + 24 n × kg BW × L kcal for 1-4 puppies (n = number of puppies; L = 0.75, 0.95, 1.1, 1.2 in lactation weeks 1-4), with a modified bracket for 5-8 puppies. Overfeeding puppies accelerates growth and can cause skeletal deformities, especially in large and giant breeds — puppies should never be fed ad libitum.