How to Feed Newborn Puppies Solid Foods

Feed newborn puppies solid foods after 6 weeks of age.

Caring for a puppy is not an easy task. You need to make sure you're fully prepared for this challenge before you decide to adopt a puppy. Talk with your veterinarian and an animal behaviorist at your local animal shelter to make sure you have the time and resources to properly care for a puppy. Puppies should not be introduced to solid foods until they are at least 6 weeks old. At this point, most puppies are ready to be introduced to solid foods; however, in some cases, your puppy may try to eat solid food when he's as young as 4 weeks or 5 weeks.

Things You'll Need

• Puppy food
• Water

Instructions

1. Purchase food specifically developed for puppies. If you're unsure about what type of food to purchase, consult with your veterinarian.

2. Develop a strict eating schedule for your puppy. When introducing him to solid food, feed him three times a day at the same time every day. Also, make sure you feed your puppy out of the same bowl and in the same place in your home to help establish the routine.

3. Add a small amount of water to the food before feeding your puppy. This will help make the transition to solid food easier. Avoid using milk to moisten the food. It can act as a laxative, and it can also cause your puppy to suffer from other digestive problems.

4. Feed your puppy the appropriate amount of food for his weight. You can often find suggestions on the package of puppy food, and you can also consult with your veterinarian.

5. Give your puppy at least one hour to finish his food. After an hour, any food left in the bowl should be taken away. If you have other animals in your household that might disturb him while eating, put them in a separate room during your puppy's feeding time.

6. Reduce the feeding times from three meals a day to two meals a day when your puppy reaches about 4 months or 5 months old. If your schedule permits, you can continue feeding your puppy three times a day, but understand that this should then be his feeding schedule for life.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your puppy has access to fresh water at all times.

• Don't attempt to feed your puppy solid food until he is at least 6 weeks old. If he starts to show an interest in solid food at 4 weeks to 5 weeks old, you can start introducing it to him. When in doubt, always consult with your veterinarian.

• Don't feed your puppy from the table. This could cause him to become a picky eater and may cause behavioral issues later on. If you're feeding him quality puppy food, no other food is needed in his diet.

References

• Purina: Feeding Dogs for Life Stages