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| Photo by: cynoclub |
To maintain your puppy’s good health, food is the essential ingredient. Like all living things, a dog should not be fed just any old food. You’ll need to follow a few rules and monitor his diet so that his growth takes place in the best possible conditions and he avoids some unpleasantness. He’s not immune to malnutrition or obesity problems.
The puppy’s dietary needs
Before becoming an adult, your puppy will need a diet that takes into consideration his nutritional needs.
- The need for calcium and phosphorus must offset the loss of immunity transmitted by his mother. His natural defenses must not be weakened. His energy requirements are twice as high as an adult dog. Therefore, he will need to ingest a certain level of high-quality protein, as well as high levels of essential minerals.
- It’s up to you to help your puppy make the transition from his mother to you. A smooth transition to avoid digestive problems and adapt his intestinal flora to his new food. If you wish or need to change his food, you will have to mix the old and the new for about ten days in this way: ¾ of the old and ¼ of the new for 3-4 days, then half – half for 3-4 days and finally ¼ of the old for ¾ of the new for 3-4 days.
- You have to control his rations. Up to 6 months, it is recommended to split your daily rations into 3 meals. Do not change his habits. Try to feed him at regular times, in the same bowl in the same place. If, after 20 minutes or so, your puppy hasn’t finished his ration, don’t force him to finish and add the rest to the next ration.
- Avoid carbohydrates that the dog does not digest (potatoes, legumes, cereals, sugars, etc.). Carbohydrates are also responsible for overweight dogs and many health problems such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and diabetes among others. Carbohydrates have an excessive effect on the dog’s blood sugar level and therefore produce too much insulin. Their composition in the kibble packs should not exceed 25 or 30%. Ideally, less than 20 or 15% should be used in premium foods. Many brands have developed cereal-free foods for adult dogs, but also for growing puppies.
Food preparation according to age and breed
It is important to know that the dog is ready for weaning at the age of 6 or 8 weeks. Solid foods will come to him out of curiosity from 3 or 4 weeks of age when he will go to eat either kibble that is lying around or another dog’s kibble. As for dry food, it is preferable that you wet it a little beforehand in order to crush it. You can gradually reduce the amount of water until 8 to 10 weeks of age.
The growth of a puppy is totally different from one breed to another. The length of time it takes for a puppy to grow to adulthood can range from 8-10 months for a small dog, 12 months for a medium dog, or 18-24 months for large dogs. Your puppy’s evolution can therefore be meteoric and you can’t afford to make any mistakes in providing him with all the necessary elements for his proper growth.
How much food should you feed your puppy?
For small puppy stomachs, force-feeding is dangerous. Even if they have a big appetite, take care to give your puppy small, regular amounts according to his age. The frequency will decrease as he gets older. For example, up to 4 meals a day for puppies aged 2-3 months, 2-3 meals for 4-6 months and 2 meals for puppies over 6 months.
Make a habit of following the advice on the food packaging in terms of quantity. This will avoid obesity and health problems for your dog, as well as wastefulness.
For your dog’s well being, you should also take the following precautions:
- Never feed your dog at the table or while you are cooking.
- Avoid feeding him before or after exercise with a one-hour beat.
- Firm, crunchy food is preferable as it strengthens your dog’s teeth and keeps them healthy.
- Avoid changing your dog’s food brand just because you feel like it. Only change his food if your dog has digestive problems or if he stops eating. Always choose premium food.
Controlling your puppy’s weight
By respecting the quantities prescribed on the packaging, you will allow your dog to develop at a normal pace. With the help of your veterinarian, you’ll be able to control your puppy’s weight throughout his young life. This will help you trace his growth curve so that you can check that he doesn’t gain weight too quickly, otherwise he may become overweight.
Simply put, your puppy’s weight should be no more than 50% of his estimated adult weight. Too much weight can have a negative impact on your puppy’s future health and development.
Under what conditions should you feed your puppy?
In order to ensure that your little fur ball takes his meal with serenity, it is advisable to feed him in a quiet place and at a distance from your dining room. Even if your dog is well-trained, take care that children don’t disturb them during his meal. Dogs can react aggressively to the elements when they eat. Children can be seen as predators, as can the presence of other dogs.
For the meal itself, food should be served at room temperature to preserve all the flavors and odors. Finally, always provide him with fresh water.
Adapting the food to your puppy’s growth
As the months go by, your puppy will need more energy to respond to the rapid growth spurts and muscle building he’ll experience. Caloric requirements increase continuously and significantly between 2 and 6 months. By 6 to 8 months of age, small dogs have generally completed their growth. However, their digestive system is still that of a puppy. It will therefore still be necessary to wait before switching to food for “adult” dogs. For dogs of large or giant breeds, growth can go on for up to 24 months! It is therefore important to follow the recommendations on the food bag or ask your veterinarian for advice.
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| Photo by: nelsonart |
Always water for your puppy
Try to always leave a bowl of water for your puppy. Clean, fairly cool water is best. Your puppy, like children, should not skimp on hydration. What’s more, his kidneys are not as efficient as those of humans. Some puppies may play with the water supply and gulp down the bowl as soon as it’s on the ground, so be careful. If this is the case, offer your puppy water in small quantities frequently.
What not to do?
The temptation to “please” your puppy is great. Would a few treats harm your puppy? Yes, it doesn’t help his food balance and could affect his digestive system. In addition, his weight may vary significantly and his development may not go as planned. Treats designed for dogs should be reserved for reward during his training.
In addition, avoid raw meat, which is full of bacteria, and forget about foods such as chocolate, salt, milk or avocado, which are toxic to him.