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Puppy food feeding guidelines

Puppy Food – Feeding Guidelines

For the first 6 weeks of your new puppy’s life, her mother sustained her with the essential nutrients she needs to survive this critical growth period in her life. As always, breast milk is still best for newborn puppies.

Before you can feed your new puppy, there is so much information you have to consider. Begin by asking the following questions of your vet or of the shelter volunteers that process your puppy’s adoption:

  • Does the shelter issue an individual animal chart to track the puppy’s progress?
  • Does the puppy have any medical conditions that may cause food allergies?
  • What brand or type of dog food was the mother eating while nursing (if known)?
  • How long ago was the weaning process started (if known)?
  • What brand or type of dog food was the puppy weaned with (if known)?
  • Was a complete physical exam done and are results recorded on the chart?
  • Were there any nutrition-specific concerns that you need to be aware of?

With this information in hand, you’re better placed to make the right decisions about which puppy food is going to be best for her. Feeding puppies the right amount of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, proteins, and carbohydrates – while managing their calorie intake and ensuring there is always clean water – is critical to their overall health, well-being, and growth.

Feeding needs will vary, and should be based on a number of factors, such as age, weight, developmental stage, breed size, and physical condition.

Nutrients needed for puppies

A nursing or pregnant dog needs many more nutrients than others, especially as her pregnancy progresses and just after she’s given birth. Those nutrient requirements double when she has a larger litter.

Her breast milk is full of antibodies to diseases or vaccinations she’s already had, but in order for her milk to contain the essential nutrients your puppy will need, it’s been suggested that puppy food is best. Here’s why:

  1. Its softer and more digestible
  2. It already contains the added nutrients her puppies will need to survive and thrive
  3. Puppy food provides more energy than adult dog food.

If you’ve chosen to adopt an abandoned, sick, or formally abused puppy, you face a number of nutritional challenges. The animal card issued by the shelter should provide you with information about her diet, so you can gradually begin phasing her over to your preferred brand, or the brand that the vet or shelter volunteers recommend is best for her.

Feeding your puppy

 Use our free “How to feed your puppy ” guide to structure meal times, transition her to new food, or calculate how much food she should be eating daily.

Contact Us Now to get your Free Guide!

How much to feed your puppy

Nutritional needs differ per breed sizes. You will also need to take the puppy’s overall health condition into account, as well as any allergies or food sensitivities she may or may not have.

For instance, if your pup is sensitive to grain-based food, she will need to draw her fiber from grain-free sources, such as chickpeas and sweet potatoes for lasting energy.

Shop some popular grain-free food specially made for your puppy:

How often you should feed your puppy

  • It’s important to feed puppies small meals regularly because they have a much higher nutritional demand than adult dogs. As a result, puppies can’t go without food for long at all.

Your puppy may fall behind the growth curve of her litter and you can give her extra nursing time alone with her mother. If you still have concerns about her weight gain, you should speak to your vet or shelter volunteers about a supplemental formula that may boost her growth to be on par with the rest of the litter. Try PetAg Esbilac Puppy Milk Replacer Powder for a great formula for your puppy.

Your puppy may be placed on a specialized diet or their nutritious needs can be supplemented with hypoallergenic products that boost her immune system, too. As treats can also be used for training purposes, we suggest following packaging instructions, or give your pup a treat as and when needed.

Read here – 5 mistakes to avoid when cooking for your dog

Homemade dog food

While homemade puppy food could be beneficial for some puppies with special needs, it’s not generally recommended as most puppy food available caters to each pup’s breed needs. In the first few weeks of her life, her mother’s milk will sustain her with what she needs initially, until she is old enough to chew her own food.

Did you know?

Feeding your puppy from the table or from your plate encourages begging, a habit that never goes away if left unchecked. Ensure the whole family follows this rule.

Still, if you would rather give your puppy the best of both meal options, then consider mixing your homemade puppy food with kibbles that are fortified with all the essential nutrients she could possibly need – and kibbles are great for good, strong teeth and gums, too.

What food you should avoid

Watch: Dangerous Foods and Plants to Feed Your Dogs

We’ve all heard that chocolate is toxic for dogs, and that the darker it is, the more unhealthy it will be. White chocolate, caramel chocolate, cereal bars, nutty slabs, chocolate toffees and sweets; they’re all toxic to her.

Some other foods you should avoid include:

MEATS:

  • Fatty meats
  • Cured meat (sausage, bacon)
  • Fried chicken
  • Raw pork

BREADS:

  • Bread, rolls, burger buns
  • Pastries, cookies, cakes
  • Pancakes, waffles

FRUITS:

  • Grapes, raisins
  • Avocado
  • Coconut, coconut oil
  • Citrus (orange, lemon)
  • Apples

VEGETABLES:

  • French fries
  • Onions, chives
  • Garlic, ginger
  • Chili-based products

DAIRY:

  • Milk, cream, ice cream

NUTS/SEEDS:

  • Almonds, macadamia, pecans

When to move on from puppy food

Because breed sizes matter, and one dog is not just another dog, each puppy’s needs are unique. Follow the instructions given by your vet or shelter volunteer, and make sure the contents of the puppy food bag conform to regulations for your state.

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