If you’re a new puppy owner, then you’ll need to read up on puppy food; what should you feed your new furry little friend? Your dog needs a diet that’s nutritious and balanced, which will ensure that they remain healthy and grow adequately.
Interested in learning more? Read on the learn everything you need to know about puppy food.
Where to Start
The first year of a dog’s life is incredibly important when it comes to its health and development. Things that happen within the first 12 months can have lifelong effects, whether benefits or consequences. It’s up to you to ensure your pup is given the right foods.
You might have already visited a pet store and had a look at what’s on offer. At this point, you’re probably not sure, which is why you’re reading this guide right now. There are several options on offer, with varying types of food and brands available.
It’s also worth noting that the breed of your pup, as well as its size, can have an influence on what puppy food is ideal. But don’t worry, read on and all your questions will be answered.
What Should You Feed Your Dog?
First things first, what is the breed of your dog? How big is he or she? Larger breeds of dogs will have different nutritional and growth concerns. On the other hand, smaller “toy-sized” pooches reach full adult size within a year or less. The bigger the dog, the longer the growth takes.
Make sure that you get in contact with your local veterinarian; they’ll know exactly what your dog requires. Also, consider that the breed of the dog might bring about unique health concerns; for instance, bulldogs tend to have respiratory problems.
There are several different types of puppy food available. Some examples include freeze-dried, raw, dry kibble, and others. Always read the label to know exactly what is in the puppy food. Run everything by your veterinarian to be safe.
How Often Should Your Puppy Be Fed?
That first year of a puppy’s life will be dramatic. After about a month and a half, puppies will begin to transition from the milk of the mother. At this point, you need to feed the pooch puppy food that’s specifically designed and formulated.
Because puppies grow rapidly early on, they’ll need to be fed frequently, in smaller doses. This is opposed to larger, more infrequent meals. 3-4 small portions will work well; this should be good until around 3 months.
After 12 weeks, you can drop the meal frequency to 3 and maintain that until they’re half a year old. At the 6 month mark, you can drop down to 2 meals a day. You might notice that they naturally start eating less at this point as well.
At this point, you can begin slowly introducing adult dog food. The exact moment when you should do this will depend on the breed of the dog, how fast it’s growing, and its expected size. Your veterinarian should have further insight here.