In your dog family, is it the first time you have brought home a puppy and now wonder about their feeding? No worries- this blog is here to discuss all the essential details regarding the foundational importance of their food, how to choose the right puppy food, establishing a healthy feeding schedule and routine, and much more. We ensure no room is left for stressing whether the small fellow is getting the necessary vitamins and minerals during this stage of development.
However, you need to keep in mind not to overfeed them. According to All About Dog Food, maintaining your dog’s weight isn’t only about their appearance, but it keeps them safe from fatal illnesses in the shape of joint issues, heart diseases, and diabetes, boosting their overall health and happiness. According to the recent UK Pet Food Obesity Report, it is estimated that around 50% of dogs in the United Kingdom are overweight or obese.
Puppy Nutrition: Its Foundational Importance
The first year of this adorable fellow's life is a period of quick growth and development that you won’t observe in any other stage. During this time, their delicate internal systems are establishing the foundations so they remain fit and healthy in the future too. Investing in proper nutrition isn’t limited to just providing energy, but it is also about supplying the necessary minerals and vitamins for stronger bones, muscles, a strong immune system, and organs. For instance, while constructing a building, you obviously need the right materials and a blueprint to make sure that the structure is strong and lasting.
Providing food that is both wrong and unbalanced during this tender phase can result in long-lasting aftereffects such as skeletal issues, weak immunity, delays in development, and higher chances of being prone to serious diseases later on. Therefore, heavy emphasis is placed on optimal and healthy food, as that opens the ground for active adulthood, extending your furry pal’s lifespan while enhancing its quality as well.
Understand the Unique Nutritional Requirements of Puppies
You can’t expect to give the same food to your puppy as you do to your adult dog. Why? The reason is that their bodies require a higher percentage of protein plus fat to elevate their growth and development. Apart from that, they require specific levels of basic minerals like phosphorus and calcium to develop and strengthen their bones, as well as docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid crucial for brain and vision development.
For your better understanding, we have broken down the primary nutritional components and why they matter for your puppy:
Protein
Like humans, even puppies need protein because they are building block of muscles, organs, hormones, and enzymes. The small furry individuals need it more, and that too, which can be easily digested to support their growth. Therefore, once you go grocery shopping for your new family member, get animal-based protein sources such as lamb, chicken, or fish listed as the core ingredients in their food.
Fat
Next in line is fat. It is a concentrated source of energy, necessary for the functioning of the cell, and helps in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. There are particular fatty acids in the form of omega-3 and omega-6, which are also important for your puppy’s brain development, shiny coat, and to keep their skin healthy.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates play a vital role in providing your puppy energy for daily activities. Yes, it's not as crucial as fat and protein, but easily digestible carbs in the shape of rice or corn stand out as beneficial. Therefore, you need to skip food with lots of fillers or low-quality carbohydrates, as that will hinder their development.
Vitamins
Vitamins are beneficial for a variety of body functions, including supporting the immune system, nerve function, and energy metabolism. In the case of puppies, they demand particular levels of vitamins like A, D, E, K, B, and C.
Minerals
Besides vitamins, minerals are critical for bone growth, the functioning of the muscles and nerves, and maintaining balance between different body fluids. If you ask what the key minerals are, they include phosphorus, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, sodium, zinc, and copper. The ratio of phosphorus to calcium is specifically important for proper skeletal development.
Docosahexaenoic Acid
This is another kind of omega-3 fatty acid that plays a huge role in the development of vision and the brain, especially during the initial stages of life. You will be glad to know that, nowadays, many premium-quality puppy foods are fortified with DHA.
How To Choose The Right Puppy Food?
Choosing the right puppy food is foremost for your puppy’s health. You might feel overwhelmed with so many options available in the market, so before you fill your cart with random puppy food cans or packets, we have provided a detailed guide on how to shop for your little wagging tail:
Look for the "Puppy" Label
While making your way through the dog food aisle, look for cans or packaging with a “puppy” label. Their food is formulated with a higher calorie density and the right balance of nutrients necessary to support their growth. Even if you have dog food at home, don’t serve your puppy, as that might not meet their specific needs.
Check the AAFCO Statement
The Association of American Feed Control Officials is an organisation that is responsible for setting nutritional standards for pet foods. Therefore, when you go out to buy puppy food, read the packaging carefully and opt for the one which says” Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [product name] provides complete and balanced nutrition for growth" or "[Product name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth." This statement assures you that the food meets the minimum nutritional requirements for puppies.
Read The List Of Ingredients
If a can is in your hands, then read the list of ingredients; they are listed in descending order based on their weight. The first few ingredients combine to make up the majority of the food. So, search for top-notch animal protein sources such as lamb, chicken, fish, and turkey in the list of core ingredients. During your hunt, please be careful not to pick foods that contain too much grain or plant-based proteins as the main ones.
Understand "Meal" vs "By-Products"
You might get confused between “meal” and “byproducts”, so let us tell you that a meat meal is a chicken meal. It is a concentrated source of protein because the majority of the water is removed during its making. The chicken meal stands out as a good ingredient. After that, “by-products” contain organs and non-muscle meat that can be packed with nutrition, but nothing can be said about the quality, as that can vary. Hence, make sure that the source is of a named animal, such as “chicken by-products” rather than “meat by-products”.
Consider the Content of The Fat
As discussed above, puppies do need fat for their development. Therefore, you must buy puppy food with healthy fat sources in the form of fish oil, flaxseed, and chicken fat.
Evaluate Carbohydrate Sources
Carbohydrate sources are not the primary focus; again, they should be easily digested. In this case, you need to look for brown rice, oatmeal, and barley, as they are overall good options. What you have to avoid are foods with extra amounts of wheat, soy, or corn, especially if your puppy is allergic to any of them.
Check for Added Vitamins and Minerals
High-quality puppy foods will always have essential vitamins and minerals. Therefore, you won’t need to analyze its ingredients as compared to other puppy foods.
What Is Your Puppy’s Breed Size?
You need to consider your puppy’s breed size and shop for puppy food accordingly. Why is there so much emphasis on breed size? The reason is that some manufacturers offer puppy formula strictly based on their breed size: small, medium, and large breeds. For instance, large-breed puppy food is formulated with controlled levels of calcium and phosphorus to support slower and more even bone growth, assisting in preventing skeletal issues.
Wet vs. Dry Food
It is not that wet and dry food are in any way better than each other. Both canned and kibble prove to be nutritionally balanced and complete:
Dry Food
Dry food or kibble is more cost-effective, aids in promoting dental health as they have to chew it, and you can even leave it outside for longer hours, instead of fearing that it will spoil.
Wet Food
Puppies tend to like wet food, as some find that easier to consume and digest. Furthermore, it also has a higher water content, which can support hydration as well. However, you have a choice to feed a mixture of both dry and wet food. Hence, divide the feeding style, meaning that at one time, you can serve them with dry food, and at another, you can proceed with wet food.
Avoid Artificial Additives
Pick foods that are free from any kind of artificial additives, colors, and flavors.
Consult Your Vet
If you have doubts regarding the puppy food you just brought home, then feel free to consult your vet. They are the best resource for tailored dietary recommendations and can tell what food might suit your puppy’s needs based on size, energy level, and other health issues. So, they can relax you by recommending a good puppy food brand as well.
How To Establish A Healthy Feeding Schedule and Routine?
When it comes to feeding your puppy, you have to be really consistent, and for this, you must establish a healthy feeding schedule and follow it regularly to assist their digestive training and be equally helpful in housetraining. Let’s spill the beans:
Frequency
If your puppy is younger, around 8 to 12 weeks old, it typically needs to eat three to four times a day. As they grow and reach three to six months, the meal frequency can be reduced to three times daily. When they are a year old, feeding should be limited to twice a day.
Portion Control
We discussed portion control in the introduction of this blog as well, mentioning the need to offer your puppy food within the recommended range. Exceeding this limit may lead to obesity, which can open the door to more serious health issues. Therefore, once you purchase your puppy’s food, remember to follow the feeding instructions on the packaging. Additionally, your puppy’s needs may vary based on their level of activity and metabolic rate. Have doubts? Feel free to contact your vet, as they can assist and guide you regarding appropriate portion sizes.
Measure Food
To measure food, you need to use a standard measuring cup, particularly designed for pet food, for your convenience so that the measuring doesn’t go out of order. Whenever your puppy is done eating their meal of the day, kindly keep it back instead of leaving the bowl out all the time. Why? This will make it challenging for you to monitor your puppy’s consumption and disturb their weight management as well.
Assign Feeding Area
If possible, assign a quiet feeding area and place your puppy’s food at the spot so the next time you call them for food, they know where to wait. Furthermore, they can complete eating with minimal distractions, or else with children or adults around, their attention will be diverted, hindering their meal routine.
Set Time Limits
Set a timeframe of 15-20 minutes, and allow your puppy to eat in that time window. Even if they fail to finish their food or become too full, you can give them the same at the next scheduled time. In this way, your puppy will get used to eating the same food instead of being picky.
Give Fresh Water
Ensure your puppy’s bowl always contains fresh water. The water must be clean, and if you notice it turning green, replace it immediately.
How To Transition Your Puppy To New Food?
Sooner or later, you will need to transition your puppy to new food. This might involve either changing brands or upgrading from puppy to adult formulated food. Therefore, it is important to make this change gradually over 7-10 days to avoid upsetting their developing digestive system.
Day 1-2
Take 75% of the old food and mix it with 25% of the new food.
Day 3-4
Combine 50% of the old food with 50% of the new food.
Day 5-6
On the first day, you mixed 75% of the old food, but now you need to do the opposite, that is, to mix 25% of the old food with 75% of the new food.
Day 7-10
Now, feed 100% of the new food. During these ten days, you need to monitor their stool transition, and if you identify that the food is upsetting their digestive system, causing vomiting, then you might need to stop the transition or better is to seek guidance from your vet.
Treats: Their Role In Your Puppy’s Diet
Like adult dogs, even puppies are fond of treats. You usually give them for behaving well or performing well in particular dog-related activities. However, treats should make up a small percentage of the caloric intake of puppies. This is ideally no more than 10% and should be given in the following ways:
Choose Healthy Treats
When buying treats for your puppy, choose healthy treats. It must be small, have low calories, and be made with natural ingredients. Please avoid giving them leftovers or scraps. Often, dog parents do this and regret it later on. These are dangerous for their health as they are usually high in fat, salt, or other ingredients that can cause harm to your dog.
Maintain A Balance Between Treats And Meals
If you have a habit of giving your puppy treats throughout the day, then you need to cut down the amount of food you give them at mealtimes to prevent overfeeding.
Use Treats Wisely
Use treats wisely. Rather than treating them casually, categorize them into high and low value. For example, provide high-value treats during training for challenging behaviors and lower-value treats for simpler instructions or general rewards.
List Of Foods You Can’t Give To Your Puppy
Certain human foods are classified as toxic or harmful to dogs, and you need to avoid giving them to dogs. What are those? Let’s discuss:
Chocolate
Yes, it may sound funny, but you can't give chocolate, specifically dark chocolate, to your puppy as it contains theobromine, which can be toxic.
Onions and Garlic
Never offer them your food, especially if it has onion or garlic, as that can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
Grapes and Raisins
Feeding dogs raisins and grapes can result in kidney failure.
Conclusion
We hope this blog was quite helpful for you, and now you won’t experience any sort of issues while planning their routine, serving them dry or wet food, and the edible items you need to avoid with them. If you notice anything unusual, contact your vet.