Interest in canine longevity has grown significantly in recent years, with increasing attention on the modifiable factors that may influence both lifespan and healthspan.

A dog’s early life — from pregnancy through puppyhood and adolescence — is a period of rapid development that may influence long-term health. Increasingly, research suggests that nutrition during these early stages may influence immune development and may be associated with certain chronic inflammatory conditions later in life.

Nutrition during pregnancy and early development may influence long-term health outcomes in dogs. Increasingly, researchers are examining whether the types of foods dogs eat during these early life stages — and how processed those foods are — may influence health later in life.