Prevention mainly consists of giving good food and good, responsible exercise, especially during the first year of life. If the diet contains sufficient calcium, vitamins A and D and protein (of good quality), the chance of HD is reduced. Furthermore, research has shown that dogs that are given plenty of food grow (too) fast, have a greater chance of bone abnormalities than dogs that are fed a bit poorly and grow more slowly. Overweight also plays a vital role in this.
