How to Feed Puppies

Nothing is as exciting as adding a new puppy to your family. He is energetic and fun loving and can add life and excitement to your home. To maintain his energy and for proper growth, your new puppy needs special food designed with the nutritional needs of puppies in mind. These formulas contain higher levels of protein, and are enriched with vitamins, minerals and fats young puppies need to grow and develop for the first year.

Things You'll Need

• Puppy food
• Fresh water

Instructions

1. Feed a newly adopted puppy the same food he was fed at his prior home for the first few days and on the schedule he is accustomed to while he adjusts to his new home.

2. Begin introducing puppy food gradually over the next 7 to 10 days.

3. Feed a mixture of 75% of her current food and 25% the new puppy formula for several days. Increase the amount of puppy food to 50% mixed with 50% of his old food for another few days. Once he is accustomed to this, increase the amount of puppy food to 75% and feed your puppy this mixture for several days. Finally, begin feeding your puppy the new formula without adding any of the old food.

4. Use care in determining the amount of food you offer your new puppy. The amount stated on the package is a good starting point, but remember that the breed and activity level of your puppy will effect the amount of food he requires. Many puppies will require less food than stated and some may require more.

5. Offer food on a regular schedule. Not only is this a good practice for your puppy, it will also help with house training. A regular feeding schedule will soon create a regular bathroom schedule. Puppies under six months should be fed three times per day. Between six months and a year, feed two times a day. After 12 months, dogs can be fed once a day.

6. Remove any uneaten food and offer fresh food at the next feeding.

7. Provide fresh water that the puppy can access at all times. Growing puppies require fresh water to maintain health. A small animal can quickly become dehydrated causing illness and even death.

8. Use caution in feeding dog treats. Although these are fine on an occasional basis, you puppy should be gaining his nutrition from his food, not treats. Aim for no more than 10% of the puppy's caloric intake from puppy treats.

9. Avoid feeding table scraps, even if you are feeding a raw or home-cooked diet. Remember, you want to keep your puppy on scheduled feeding times. Avoiding feeding table scraps from the table will also help in teaching him not to beg.

Tips & Warnings

• Set a regular feeding schedule.

• Monitor food intake and watch for signs of unhealthy weight gain. Adjust food intake to maintain a healthy weight.

• Avoid feeding table scraps.

• Always provide fresh water.