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When selecting pet food, it’s essential to prioritize brands that uphold rigorous standards in nutrition research, formulation, and manufacturing. Having experienced the emotional—and financial—toll of copper-associated hepatopathy with my beloved Old English Sheepdog, Riggs, I can say the disease consumed me. It profoundly shaped my approach to pet care.
Now, with a clear understanding of copper storage disease, I feel confident that Baby Gentry is set up for a healthy future. The past guides me, but it doesn’t dictate my outlook. Instead, the lessons from Sheepdog Riggs shape how I move forward—prioritizing evidence-based care and thoughtful decision-making.
Copper storage disease is a devastating yet complex condition, arising from a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Diet acts as a modulating—not deterministic—influence. While mutations in genes such as ATP7A and ATP7B impact copper metabolism, nutritional intake can either exacerbate or help mitigate copper accumulation. With this in mind, my focus for Baby Gentry is on providing a balanced, evidence-based diet that supports his development and lifelong health—not just reducing copper.
As the administrator of Canine Copper-Associated Hepatopathy – An Evidence-Based Approach, I lead a growing community of dedicated pet owners committed to long-term, successful management, guided by the memory and honour of Riggs.
The rise of genetic testing for genes like ATP7A and ATP7B has added complexity to the conversation. While these tests offer valuable insights, they can also result in confusion and misinterpretation. Without proper context, results often cause unnecessary panic or misdirected dietary decisions.
When Sheepdog Riggs was diagnosed, copper storage disease was virtually unheard of. Navigating his diagnosis felt like uncharted territory, with limited resources and few answers. Over time, increased awareness, research, and advocacy have brought this condition into the spotlight. This growing publicity has led to earlier and more accurate diagnoses, but it has also sparked concern among pet owners, many of whom worry about their dogs’ risk even without genetic or clinical evidence.
As a result, many pet owners are scrutinizing copper levels in commercial diets. While their concerns are valid, the best path to safeguarding dogs like my new puppy, Gentry, lies in evidence-based nutrition. A multifaceted strategy is essential.
Looking at a single nutrient is a flawed way of evaluating the diet.
Beyond the Numbers: The Complexity of Nutritional Science
Nutrients don’t act in isolation; they interact, compete, and influence each other’s absorption, storage, and excretion. A diet can’t be judged by copper content alone or isolated ingredients. The only reliable approach is one that evaluates the entire nutritional profile and considers how the formulation functions in the body. Responsible feeding demands evidence-based nutrition that embraces this complexity.
These interactions mean that simply knowing the copper content of a diet cannot accurately predict how much copper your dog is actually absorbing or storing.
Ensuring Gentry’s Nutritional Needs Are Met
Complete and Balanced Nutrition
When selecting food for Baby Gentry, it’s essential to ensure the diet is both complete and balanced. These terms are used to define formulations that meet the specific dietary needs of pets.
- A complete diet contains all essential nutrients—proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals—in the right amounts to support daily bodily functions and meet the needs of the dog’s life stage.
- However, completeness alone is not enough. A balanced diet ensures these nutrients are provided in the correct proportions relative to one another and the energy content, allowing for optimal absorption and utilization.
Imbalances in nutrient ratios can negatively impact Gentry’s health. Therefore, both completeness and balance are crucial for his growth, health, and longevity.
Labels: What Does “Complete and Balanced” Mean?
Pet foods labeled as “complete and balanced” meet both criteria. This designation is typically verified by adherence to nutrient profiles established by organizations like the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) or by passing feeding trials demonstrating that the food supports overall health.
If a product has successfully completed an AAFCO feeding trial and meets the required nutrient profiles, other products with similar ingredients and formulations may be presumed to meet these standards without needing additional trials.
Choosing a Brand
Selecting the right brand is the critical first step in meeting your dog’s nutritional needs. The overwhelming number of options can feel daunting—especially after the limited choices I had during Riggs’ strict copper-associated hepatopathy diet.
A sound approach starts with choosing brands that adhere to globally recognized standards, such as those recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). These guidelines help ensure nutritional adequacy, safety, and quality control in pet food formulations.
What Brands Follow WSAVA Guidelines?
Not all pet food brands meet the rigorous standards set by the WSAVA, but several reputable companies consistently and voluntarily adhere to these guidelines. They’re recognized for their commitment to nutritional science, transparency, and rigorous quality control. Brands that currently align with WSAVA guidelines include:
- Hill’s
- Royal Canin
- Purina
- Science Diet
- Eukanuba
- Iams
For therapeutic or prescription diets, these brands stand out due to their proven ability to clinically address specific health concerns:
- Hill’s
- Purina ProPlan
- Royal Canin
WSAVA Does Not Endorse, Approve, Recommend, or Support Specific Companies or Products. Claims of “WSAVA compliance” should be independently verified.
When in doubt, consulting a veterinarian is the best way to ensure your dog’s diet is safe and nutritionally appropriate.
Customizing Diets: Beyond Standard Labeling
When choosing a food for Baby Gentry—or any dog—it’s essential to go beyond marketing claims and consider the core factors that influence a dog’s nutritional needs. These include what’s known as the dog’s signalment: age, breed, size, activity level, and overall health status.
Life Stage: As an Old English Sheepdog puppy, Gentry needed a diet specifically formulated for growth. Proper nutrient balance during this stage is critical for development.
Size: Large-breed puppies like Gentry benefit from diets designed to support steady, controlled growth. These diets help reduce the risk of joint problems and skeletal issues later in life.
Activity Level: While active, Gentry isn’t a working or sporting dog, so his diet needed to reflect moderate energy requirements—enough to fuel play and training without promoting excess weight gain.
Nutritional Adequacy Statement: I look for diets backed by a nutritional adequacy statement. In the U.S., this comes from AAFCO, confirming the food meets the minimum nutrient requirements for the stated life stage. In Canada, the CFIA ensures safety and proper labeling. Although AAFCO standards aren’t legally binding here, many manufacturers voluntarily use them as a benchmark.
WSAVA Guidelines: Lastly, I evaluated whether the diet aligned with the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines—widely regarded as the gold standard for evidence-based feeding practices.
Current Diet and Ongoing Care
Gentry’s diet has been carefully selected with input from our veterinarian and breeder, reflecting our shared commitment to his well-being and future potential. We regularly monitor his growth, weight, body condition, and overall health to ensure the diet continues to support his development. As he grows, his nutritional needs will evolve, and we’ll adjust his diet accordingly with ongoing veterinary guidance and keep his breeder informed every step of the way.
Purina Pro Plan prioritize formulations that maintain consistent nutrient profiles. This stands in stark contrast to the recent shift in consumer preferences toward boutique and raw diets and novel ingredients. As highlighted in this paper, many pet owners are drawn to these trendy ingredients. While these options may seem appealing, they often result in unbalanced nutrient profiles, particularly when it comes to the rise in copper.
While we started Gentry on Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy—known for its rigorous nutrition standards and research-based diet—puppyhood brought its own challenges. Despite Purina’s strong reputation, Gentry experienced some digestive upset. Rather than turning to trendy boutique diets at a pet store or unproven remedies, I consulted our veterinarian and informed his breeder. Together, we decided to transition Gentry to a prescription diet better suited to his sensitive gastrointestinal needs. The change made a clear and positive difference in his health and comfort.
Feeding is never static. What works for Gentry today may change as he matures—but the careful, evidence-guided approach behind each decision will remain the same.
I don’t have a brand preference when it comes to clinical nutrition—whether it’s Hill’s, Royal Canin, or Purina. Clinical nutrition, a field dedicated to using diet as a therapeutic tool in managing and preventing disease, matters more to me than the label on the bag. I let Gentry’s body be the guide. Whatever supports his health best is the direction we take.
Water: The Most Vital Nutrient
Water is the most important nutrient by volume, yet it’s often the most overlooked. It performs countless essential functions in the body. In managing copper-associated hepatopathy, water quality is one of the few environmental factors we can directly control. With Riggs, we used distilled water—a common recommendation. For Gentry, we’ve continued that practice and upgraded to reverse osmosis (RO) water with the Express Water RO5DX system, which offers more advanced filtration. It’s a simple yet consistent habit that meaningfully supports Gentry’s ongoing wellness.
Gentry’s story highlights the complexities of canine nutrition and the importance of tailoring diet to the individual needs of each dog. While trusted brands and guidelines provide an excellent foundation, no single diet is one-size-fits-all. Successful feeding is an ongoing journey—one that requires close collaboration with your veterinarian, careful observation, and a willingness to adapt as your dog grows and changes.
By embracing evidence-based nutrition, prioritizing your dog’s unique needs, and staying attentive to their health, you create the best possible foundation for a long, happy, and healthy life. Like Gentry, every dog deserves a thoughtful, flexible approach that honours who they are today and supports who they will become tomorrow.
Good boy, Gentry!
Synergistically Yours
Danielle & Bugaboo Baby Gentry
Dedicated to Sheepdog Riggs | forever in our hearts
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