How should I feed a puppy that was just brought home?

Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with lots of love and a little bit of chaos. Feeding your new furry friend is one of the most important aspects of puppy care. It's essential to get it right to ensure your pup grows up healthy and strong.

Puppy Nutrition Basics

Understanding the nutritional needs of a puppy is crucial. Puppies require a diet rich in proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals to support their rapid growth and development. High-quality commercial puppy food is formulated to meet these needs and should be the foundation of your puppy's diet.

Choosing the Right Food

Selecting the right food for your puppy can be overwhelming with so many options available. Look for a brand that offers a complete and balanced diet specifically designed for puppies. The food should have a statement from the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) indicating that it meets the nutritional requirements for growth. It's also beneficial to choose a food that is made with high-quality ingredients, such as real meat as the first ingredient, and avoid those with excessive fillers and artificial additives.

Portion Control

Feeding your puppy the correct amount of food is essential to prevent overeating and obesity, which can lead to health issues later in life. Follow the feeding guidelines on the puppy food packaging, which are usually based on the puppy's age, weight, and activity level. Keep in mind that these are just guidelines, and you may need to adjust the portions based on your puppy's individual needs.

Feeding Schedule

Puppies have small stomachs and need to eat more frequently than adult dogs. A typical feeding schedule might include three to four meals per day until the puppy is about six months old, then you can transition to two meals per day. Consistency is key, so try to feed your puppy at the same times each day.

Water

Always provide fresh, clean water for your puppy. It's important to keep the water bowl filled and to ensure your puppy has access to water at all times, especially during the teething period when they may drool more or during hot weather when they can dehydrate quickly.

Treats and Chews