How to Feed Your Puppy

Your puppy is dependent upon you for all his nutritional needs.

Congratulations on your new puppy, you are in for a treat. Puppies are a lot of work but are also a lot of fun to raise and watch grow into a healthy and happy, well-adjusted adult dog. To keep your puppy healthy, you need to feed him a balanced, high-quality, brand-name pet food. Do not buy the cheapest dog food you can find thinking you will save money. It will cost you money in the long run when your puppy fails to thrive because he is eating substandard food.

Instructions

1. 

   A dog who will grow up to be a large dog will have nutritional needs that cater to his joints.

   Feed your puppy three to four times a day for the first few weeks after you have acquired him. Choose a puppy food that provides the appropriate balance of nutrients your puppy needs. Be sure they are getting the right amount of protein and calcium, and the proper amount of calories. Check the label to determine if you are feeding your puppy a balanced diet. The protein source, be it meat, poultry or fish, should be the first ingredient on the label. Feed your puppy the same kind of food every day. Unlike humans, a dog's digestive system cannot handle changes in food. It can cause upset stomach and diarrhea. Also feed your puppy at the same time every day. If your puppy is a large-breed dog, the nutritional requirements will differ from those of a small-breed dog. Educate yourself on the needs of your specific breed of dog. If your dog is a mixed-breed, determine the dominant breed and use that as your guide.

2. Reduce the feeding to twice a day when your puppy is about four months of age. Do not add cottage cheese or other additives to your puppy's kibble as it could interfere with the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. Resist the urge to overfeed your dog because you do not think he is putting on enough weight. Your puppy will eat when he is hungry and gain weight as he needs to do so.

3. Give your puppy plenty of things on which to chew as he will be teething for the first few months. He may become a finicky eater or loose his appetite. Keep feeding him nutritious food twice a day. If he has an upset stomach for more then one or two days, take him to the veterinarian. Do not give your dog table scraps, especially from the table, or you will have a begging problem to deal with later on.

4. 

   Always keep plenty of fresh, clean water available for your puppy to drink.

   Feed puppy food for the first year of his life. After he is about eight to ten months old, your puppy may look all grown up but he is still a puppy. He should still be fed puppy food for the added nutrition up until he is a year old. Ask your veterinarian when you should switch to adult food. Make sure the adult food you switch to is still a balanced diet with the first ingredient being the protein source.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep food and water bowls clean.

• All dogs need separate food and water dishes. The bowls should be cleaned daily, and cool, fresh water should be available at all times.

• Don't overfeed your puppy.

• Follow the guidelines on the puppy food package for recommended feeding amounts.

• Monitor your puppy's weight and activity level, and make feeding adjustments as necessary.

• Don't worry if your puppy's appetite changes.

• It is normal for your puppy to lose his appetite or experience a digestive upset occasionally. If your puppy's upset stomach becomes severe or last longer than a day or two, contact your veterinarian.

• When switching to a new food, gradually transition him to the new food by mixing portions of both foods until you slowly phase the old food out. Your puppy may experience diarrhea if his food is suddenly changed.

• Never leave your puppy alone with a rawhide chew toy. It could become lodged in his throat or he could choke on it.

References

• Eukanuba: Puppy Feeding Guide

Resources

• Pet Education: Feeding Puppies
• ASPCA: Feeding Your Puppy