What, When, How Much, and for How Long
There’s a new baby in the house and his name is “Fido.” Like human babies, puppies need special care. Feeding, sleeping, nutritional, recreational, and training needs are quite different from those of an adult dog.
When it comes to mealtime, puppy owners should understand a few basic principles about what a puppy needs in order to maintain health. Understanding these basics will help in making responsible food choices.
Meeting a Puppy’s Nutritional Requirements
Because “puppyhood” is a time of fast growth and intensive development, puppies require about double the amount of nutrients per pound of body weight than their fully grown counterparts. Needs for specific nutrients also differ. For these reasons, adult dog food will not suffice.
There are a variety of specially formulated puppy foods available commercially that meet a puppy’s nutritional needs. Puppies require foods that are between 28 and 30 percent protein, with adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals for proper bone development.
Puppies grow rapidly. As a rule, puppy food should be fed for a full year. Some puppies grow too quickly, however, and should be switched to adult food earlier in order to avoid the risk of panosteosis (long-bone disease). A veterinarian is the best person to consult as to when a puppy should graduate to adult food.
Forms of Commercially Prepared Dog Food
There are basically three forms of commercially produced dog food: canned, semi-most, and dry. Canned food is moist, semi-moist foods are seal packed, and dry kibbles come in boxes, bags, or other similar packaging.
Many people prefer using a premium dry puppy food that has meat protein as one of its first two ingredients. The benefits of dry food are that it is economical, convenient, helps to keep the puppy’s teeth cleaned, and is relatively digestible and palatable. It also stays fresher longer when exposed to the air.
Canned dog food is highly digestible and palatable, but is expensive. It usually contains about 75 percent water. For that reason more food is required for the same amount of nutritional value. Many puppy owners mix small amounts of canned food with dry kibble, to enhance the dry food’s palatability.
Some companies sell very high quality, well-balanced raw-meat foods in frozen packets for puppy owners to use with dry food, instead of canned.
A Word about Semi-Moist Foods
Like dry puppy food, semi-moist foods are palatable, and convenient. Like canned food it is highly digestible, but lacks dental benefits and is expensive. One additional benefit of semi-moist puppy food is that it comes in pre-measured portions.
Unlike moist food, semi-moist does not require refrigeration. The drawbacks are that it contains large amounts of sugar, salt, and preservatives. This can lead to hyperactivity and obesity problems. Semi-moist puppy food, then, should be reserved for travel or other convenience times, and not used on a regular basis.
Dog Food Brand Selection
When selecting a particular brand of puppy food, look for one with a serious background in research and testing; one whose label meets or exceeds standards established by the National Research Council (NRC) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Avoid generic or store-brand pet foods. Though inexpensive they do not contain proper nutrition, are inconsistent in quality, and have low digestibility or food value. They can also lead to medical problems associated with poor diet. A veterinarian, or feed or pet supply store will offer higher quality foods; good canned foods can be found in supermarkets.
Another Food Alternative; Raw, Fresh Meet
Some people elect to feed their puppy fresh, raw meat; lean ground beef is fine, supplemented by milk, and brown bread or puppy meal. Vitamin supplements in pill or liquid form should be added to the diet to ensure the puppy does not develop rickets. Cod-liver oil or vitamins A, D, and B are important for health and growth.
According to internationally known dog breeder and trainer, Barbara Woodhouse, when puppies are fed a diet of fresh, raw meat, they require two meat meals and two milk meals each day.
Puppy Mealtimes; How Often?
Puppies require at least three meals a day for the first four to six months of life. Some breeders prefer four to five smaller meals. Larger quantities of food divided into two meals a day can be offered thereafter, through adulthood. It is healthier and easier for dogs to digest two smaller meals per day than one large one.
It is a good idea to feed a puppy in a quiet, undistracted area, at the same time every day. Dry kibbles should be moistened with warm water. In place of canned or frozen meat for dogs, small quantities of cottage cheese or a cooked egg can be mixed with the dry food. Twice a week a tablespoon of yogurt (which helps to restore intestinal flora) can also be given.
Give a puppy about fifteen minutes to finish his food; cover and place leftovers in the refrigerator. Later, warm the leftovers and use with the next meal; cold food can cause diarrhea in puppies.
Feeding Tips
Keep the feeding routine fairly uncomplicated. If the puppy refuses to eat a meal, wait him out. Do not cave in and try to entice the puppy to eat by offering other foods. Not only would that disrupt the nutritional balance of the meal, but it produces puppies that are spoiled, finicky eaters. Therefore, keep feeding consistent. If the pup skips more than just a couple of meals or won’t eat for a few days, take him to a veterinarian for an examination.
Never, but never, feed a puppy from the table, or table scraps. Aside from becoming a nuisance, the puppy will lose interest in his own food. You might consider feeding the puppy before beginning your own dinner. Train the puppy to stay away from the dinner table while you eat. When the puppy is grown, you will be glad you did.
Recommendations for meal size will vary, according to puppy age, size, and breed. Portion sizes will be labeled on the container of food, but are only general averages. Adjust recommended portion size to fit the individual puppy, but be aware of overfeeding. It is always better to keep the puppy on the lean side rather than obese. Excessive weight in puppies can lead to serious health issues as they get older. If in doubt about meal portion size, consult a veterinarian.
Other Considerations
Besides solid nutrition, water is an important part of the puppy’s diet. Puppies require lots of water. Many puppy owners prefer making water available during mealtime and at certain intervals in between, rather than allowing unlimited access. Puppies tend to gulp large amounts of water at once, causing house-training problems. Later, when the puppy has grown and is house-trained-reliable, they should have unlimited access to water.
If after adjusting meal size portions to fit your puppy’s individual needs, ribs begin to show, the puppy may or may not require larger portions of food for more body fat. Be on the safe side and have the puppy checked for possible parasites.
Follow these guidelines for feeding, combined with common sense – such as no confections, and no bones for puppies. Many breeders say bones are not good even for adult dogs, because they cause constipation and can easily splinter and lead to internal injury.
Both common sense on your part, and proper diet nutrition will help insure that your puppy grows into a healthy dog with healthy bones and teeth, and as lovely and shiny a coat as possible.