How to Feed a Puppy

How to Feed a Puppy

How to Feed a Puppy

From the very first time you bring your puppy home, you wil be faced with the question “how to feed a puppy?” Throughout his life he will need regular food, grooming and health care. It is as if you will be bringing a baby into your home… another mouth to feed, another life to look after. From the outset, he should be fed on the same food and in the same manner as the breeder did since the puppy was weaned. This is important, as any sudden dietary change at this early stage in the life of the puppy can cause upsets to the digestive system. Do not feed a young puppy any cow’s milk, since it can cause an upset tummy.

As the puppy grows older, changes to diet should be introduced gradually so that the animal gets accustomed to the new diet without digestive upsets. It is important that from the outset, dogs should be given their own feeding dish together with a freh water bowl which must be kept topped up at all times.

How to feed a puppy

– Types of Food

Dogs will thrive on a variety of diets, and there is a huge range of products available from any local Store. Complete commercially produced diets are readily available, packed in pouches, tins, or as dry food. Supplementary diets are also widely available which require the addition of biscuit meal. Well known dog food brands will usually contain the correct level and balance of dog nutrients, and are to be recommended because of their safety, consistency of quality and of course convenience of use. They also taste nice, are easily digested and provides the dog with enough energy without overfilling its stomach.

In addition, homemade diets are welcomed, such as vegetables, cereals, meat or other leftovers from the human dinner table. Rather than throwing away leftover human food, items such as fish, scrambled eggs or remains of soup should be offered in small amounts as a supplement to the diet. Small amounts only, however, so that the balance of the daily intake of vitamins is not disturbed.

It is considered by some experts that the dog will thrive best on complete dry foods, which is convenient to store and use, and can be easily measured into a dog bowl. If the dog has to be left on its own for a time, dry food is best as it does not go off, or attract flies, and is also convenient to use when taking the dog away for trips or on holiday. The problem with food in tins or pouches is that once opened, the food will need to be refrigerated, and this is not always convenient.

In many ways, trial and error is the best route to finding something your dog goes for while also providing the essential balance and nutrients. New products are constantly appraring on the Market and most Manufacturers provide an information service about their Product Brand. If in doubt, talk to your vet. In any event, feed your dog good quality food, in accordance with the directions on the Label.

How to Feed a Puppy

-Frequency of Feeding.

How often should you feed your dog? A recommended regime would be 4 meals a day for puppies aged 8-12 weeks… 3 per day for ages 3-6 months… 2 per day for ages 6-9 months and 1 -2 per day for ages over 9 months. Adult dogs should be fed at fixed times, usually after exercise, and separate from the family meal. Typically, you should give the dog a small breakfast, exercise him in the afternoon, groom the dog and then give him his main meal. Your dog will be tired and full and be contented. Make sure that any uneaten food (other than dry food) is removed after 15-20 minutes. Do not leave it out any longer.

Wash the eating bowl thoroughly after each meal and clean the drinking bowl at least once per day. Do not give your dog bones to chew, especially not chicken bones or any cooked bones. These can splinter and cause damage to the mouth or digestive tract and can lead to trouble. To satisfy the need of the dog to chew, and to clean his teeth and prevent any gum problems developing, give your dog a rubber bone or one of the many dog chews available on the Market.

I hope you have found this Article useful, and that it will give you some ideas on how to feed a puppy.

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