Abstract: A gender specific food for puppies is disclosed where the food includes at least about 0.25% methionine by weight and at least about 0.45% total sulfur amino acids. The food further includes a total dietary lipid level based on gender, and for maximizing body weight and length gains, lipid levels and the amounts of methionine are adjusted based upon the gender of the puppy.

Abstract: A gender specific food for puppies is disclosed where the food includes at least about 0.25% methionine by weight and at least about 0.45% total sulfur amino acids. The food further includes a total dietary lipid level based on gender, and for maximizing body weight and length gains, lipid levels and the amounts of methionine are adjusted based upon the gender of the puppy.

Abstract: Nutritionally balanced dog food compositions containing a dietary source of pyrophosphate, for reducing the incidence and extent of hip joint subluxation in dogs, and method of use. One embodiment of the dog food composition includes about 2.0% by weight sodium acid pyrophosphate. In use and in one embodiment of the method a puppy is fed the dog food composition as substantially the sole diet from weaning at about 6-8 weeks of age to about 2 years of age, to improve hip joint stability and reduce the incidence and severity of canine hip dysplasia.

Abstract: A method for reducing the severity of hip dysplasia in animals is provided wherein the animals are fed a nutritionally balanced composition during the formative stage of growth when the animal is particularly vulnerable to hip dysplasia, in which the dietary electrolyte balance in the composition is controlled to a level that is not greater than about 20 milliequivalents/100 g. Electrolyte balance is determined according to a formula wherein:Dietary Electrolyte Balance (Meq/100 g)=Sodium (Meq/100 g)+Potassium (Meq/100 g)-Chloride (Meq/100 g).