Puppy Nutrition - What to Feed Them

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 27 December, 2022

Proper puppy nutrition is very important. Keep in mind that when you have a puppy you must take care of it just like you would a baby. However, unlike a human baby, who will grow up and become an adult and have a life of its own, the dog will need you forever.

Your puppy won’t develop as they should if you don’t provide them with a wholesome, balanced diet.

Proper puppy nutrition

First of all, before you establish a diet for your dog, you must know at what age they’re still considered a puppy. This stage, which spans between 0 and 18 months of age, is decisive for the development of your pet. Let’s look at some tips on puppy nutrition.

You must take your puppy to a vet immediately after you adopt them. The doctor should be able to check them out and schedule their shots, etc. In addition, they can give you advice in regard to the kind of nutrition a puppy needs. To do so, they’ll take a few things into consideration. The health of the animal, for example, as well as their breed, current health, and size.

A puppy shouldn’t be separated from their mother too soon, and the breeder must follow the correct procedures. If they take them away too early, then it’ll impair the puppy’s health. Not getting the proper nutrition from her could even lead to their death. A newborn dog needs to stay with their mother until the age of 10 weeks, at least.

However, the puppy will still need to breastfeed. It’s for that reason that there are many ways to make puppy formula and there are some on the market as well.

It’s important that you know that you shouldn’t feed cow milk to a young dog as it could harm their digestive system.

What should a puppy eat?

This substance is very important for their development. This is because it helps strengthen their immune system. By drinking it, they’ll have improved defenses from disease and can also avoid certain digestive problems like diarrhea. In addition, it helps prevent growth disorders.

You must be on the lookout for any bad symptoms such as rashes, and you must also check the dog’s feces to find out if there’s anything abnormal there. If so, then you should consult a vet so they can make a diagnosis.

At about 10 weeks old, a puppy can start consuming other types of food. Ideally, their food should be soaked in water till they’re 12 weeks old, as their teeth still won’t be ready to eat solid food.

Follow your vet’s instructions correctly

You should know how often you should feed your puppy and how to prepare their food. It may be necessary to add extra vitamins to their diet. Your veterinarian can prescribe some.

Some indications to consider are:

• You may have to feed your tiny furball with a bottle. The milk should be at room temperature, that is, at 98 ° F. The feedings should be every 3 hours when they’re younger than 10 weeks, and then, every 4 hours when they’re older.
• If you’re opting for dry dog food then you’d better wait until they’re at least 16 weeks old. Begin with small pieces and watch them carefully to find out if the food upsets their stomach.
• After they’re 10 weeks old, a dog should eat 4 meals a day. Then at the age of 16 to 24 weeks, they should have 3 meals a day. Finally, they should only have two meals per day after the age of 24 months. That is, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Food choices for proper puppy nutrition

You must verify that the food is of good quality. Read the labels and make sure it contains vitamins B, C, and E, and omega 3. Pay attention to the meat and fish content. Any cereal content should be minimal.

Consult your veterinarian about adding fruit, vegetables, and other food items into the dog’s diet. They’ll most likely tell you not to feed them chocolate, corn, wheat, onion, garlic, and avocado, among other things, as they could be toxic in certain quantities.

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