Feeding a puppy is the most important step in his life, and it is important to learn a few important things to know that you are doing the right thing.
Your puppy is now in the most important stage of his life: he needs balanced nutrition to be able to grow big and strong. Give him a diet that suits his needs and help him grow harmoniously!
CONTENT:
- What to feed a puppy in the first months (0-6 months)
- Recommended and not recommended food for puppies
- How much food you can give to a puppy
- The place where feeding the puppy is beneficial
- How to feed a puppy
- Alternating food and switching to adult food
What to feed a puppy in the first months (0-6 months)
In the first weeks of life, breast milk is the most recommended source of nutrition for the puppy. The caloric content and composition, which includes protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins, are ideal for developing the body and the nervous system.
However, there are situations in which the baby cannot feed on breast milk (e.g., in orphaned puppies; the mother cannot breastfeed). In these situations, following a mandatory veterinary consultation, we can start feeding the puppy with the bottle.
Usually, the weaning period starts around the age of 4-5 weeks, and the little one can start eating solid food. Most puppies cannot switch to dry food suddenly. Wet food created especially for the weaning period is recommended for this period.
Recommended and not recommended food for puppies
Feeding the baby with a breast milk substitute in the first four weeks of life is a process that requires special attention. Using a milk substitute, such as milk powder designed especially for puppies, is the most recommended option.
This type of milk has a composition similar to that of breast milk and a lactose level suitable for its sensitive digestive system. The formula of the milk substitute is adapted to protect the intestinal flora and provide easy digestion. Powdered milk is prepared with bottled, heated water, following the dosing instructions of the product.
Using cow’s or goat’s milk is not recommended, as these types of milk do not meet the puppy’s nutritional needs and their composition is not suitable for canine consumption.
For a light weaning, pate or foam, wet food will be a perfect transition food. It has a high degree of palatability and does not create digestive problems, encouraging the transition to solid foods.
Once accustomed to the texture of pate or foam, the puppy can also eat moist food with larger pieces. It must be chosen according to the size of the dog.
It is difficult for freshly weaned puppies to chew dry food, but it can be moistened with warm water to make it easy to swallow. Dry cereal-free food is suitable for the sensitive digestive system of freshly weaned chicken and can be used until it becomes an adult.
Cooked food for humans is completely forbidden: we know it’s hard to resist your baby when he craves your food, but food for humans can hurt puppies.
Raw meat can only be offered to older chickens if it comes from safe sources and there is no risk of bacteria being harmful to their digestive system.
How much food you can give to a puppy
Infant puppies will eat most often: they need 6-8 meals a day. The amount of milk you need to give your puppy varies depending on his size. Your veterinarian is best able to tell you the weight you need. Powdered milk will also come with instructions on quantity and preparation. Infants should not be fed more than recommended, as they may suffer from digestive disorders.
As the chick grows, the number of meals decreases, and the piece size increases. Wet and dry food will also contain feeding instructions written on the package. Excessive feeding of the puppy can lead to overweight, so it is important to provide him with an optimal amount of food.
The place where feeding the puppy is beneficial
It is preferable for the chick to have a quiet, sheltered, noiseless place where it can feed without being stressed by too many external stimuli. It is recommended that the place where the feeding takes place by the same every time.
How to feed a puppy
Bottle feeding of 1 to 4-week-old puppies requires special equipment and strict hygiene. It is important to disinfect both the hands and the syringe or bottle with which we give the baby milk. Instruments can be disinfected by boiling.
Milk should be prepared fresh every day, stored in the refrigerator until use, and heated before feeding. The chick should not be fed sitting on its back, but sitting on its belly, with its head slightly raised! For weaned puppies, wet or dry food will be placed in a special bowl for puppies, with a size suitable for the size of the dog.
Alternating food and switching to adult food
The puppy can usually start eating adult food from the age of 12 months. Puppy food can be replaced with Junior food created, especially for large chicks, aged between 12 and 18 months.
Dry food for adults will have larger croquettes and content adapted to the needs of fully developed dogs. The wet one will also have larger pieces that can be easily chewed by an adult dog.
Proper nutrition will give your puppy a good start in life! It is very important to know his needs in different periods of life and to fulfill them: happy puppy, happy owner!
