Feeding the little love puppy
When did choosing the correct food item for your pet become so difficult? Back in the day, it was easier because food choices were limited. Now, the dog owners get into confusion when they walk down the variety of food items while shopping for their pets.
It’s important to take care of what your pup eats as it has long term effects and majorly decided the health of your pet when it grows to become a dog.
All puppies are different, so if you have any concerns or questions about your puppy’s food, feeding schedule, or nutritional health, always consult your breeder or veterinarian—that’s what they’re there for.
Timeline for feeding your puppy:
6–12 Weeks: Diet should be primarily taken care of in case of new born pups. It should meet their nutritional requirements. Feeding adult food will rob your puppy of important nutrients. Four time feedings a day are well enough to fulfill nutritional requirements. Large breeds should be fed unmoistened dry food by age 9 or 10 weeks; small dogs by age 12 or 13 weeks, before that they should be fed canned food.
3–6 Months: Sometimes during this period, decrease the feedings from four to three a day, that is, breakfast, lunch and dinner, at fixed time every day. A pup should be losing its potbelly and pudginess by 12 weeks. If it is still roly-poly at this age, continue to feed puppy-size portions until body type matures. So basically keep in the mind the effects of food on your pup’s health and feed accordingly.
6–12 Months: Begin feeding twice daily. Spaying or neutering lowers energy requirements slightly. Requirement of nutrition changes when the puppy grows to an adult dog, so change the puppy food with adult dog food. Small breeds can make the switch at 7 to 9 months; bigger breeds at 12, 13, even 14 months.
After age 1: Most owners feed adult dogs two half-portions a day.
You need to monitor your puppy’s growth. Record your pup’s weight regularly and compar.e it with the average weight of that breed. Adjust its diet accordingly to reach the goal weight. If you find anything abnormal in the growth of your puppy then consult a veterinarian.
A good and healthy puppy will grow a fit and faithful dog and indeed your best friend!