Puppy food that suits my dog

Today, there are hundreds of brands and types of puppy food available, making it difficult for pet owners to choose the best one. While it’s difficult to evaluate every puppy food brand on the market, there are a few key factors to consider.

What is puppy food?

Puppies and developing dogs require twice the daily nutritional needs of adult dogs. Puppies’ bones, muscles, joints, internal organs and immune systems are developing rapidly. A balanced puppy diet provides nutrients that adult dog meals do not contain, as they are not needed after the puppy reaches adulthood. It contains all the vitamins, about 30% protein and minerals to grow into a healthy adult puppy. Adult dogs should not eat puppy food because of its high fat content.

How long should you feed your puppy puppy food?

Puppies will remain this way until they reach adulthood. For most dogs, this means one year of puppy food until they are 80% adult. If the puppy is growing too fast and your vet is concerned, you may need to stop feeding puppy food (two growth disorders of concern are lung disease and panosteitis). In these cases, you should listen to your vet.

Which puppy food is best?

You can buy moist, semi-moist or dry kibble for your dog. The dry version of puppy food contains the most meat proteins. It is also more practical, cheaper, easier to digest and cleaner. However, moist puppy food is more expensive and degrades faster if not stored properly. Moist food contains less nutrients because it is usually 75% water. Tooth decay is another problem with moist puppy food.

The ideal approach is to feed your puppy a mix of dry kibble and moist dog food. You can mix and match them from meal to meal.

Semi-moist puppy food is also a good option (i.e., it comes in a pre-measured package and doesn’t need to be refrigerated). This can be expensive and doesn’t have any dental benefits. Semi-moist food is high in salt, preservatives, and sugar, and can cause obesity and hyperactivity in some dogs.

What is the best puppy food?

The best puppy food should be chosen based on ingredients and the requirements of AAFCO and the National Research Council. Pet food standards should meet or exceed the basic requirements of these groups.

Many generic brands meet minimal criteria and may lack the nutrients your puppy needs, resulting in stunted growth or even starvation. That doesn't mean the most expensive brand is always the best.

In most cases, it can be very helpful to talk to someone who has experience raising (and feeding) dogs, such as breeders and trainers. Your vet can also help, but some may be biased towards a particular brand. Store employees are in the same boat. There to sell products that will increase the store’s profit margin. If you talk to someone who is not affiliated with a company, you can find great dog food.

How often should your puppy eat puppy food?

Puppies should be fed at least three times a day until they are six months old, after which they should switch to twice daily feeding. Since the growth rate of many breeds slows at this age, it is recommended that you limit her meals to morning and evening every day. Your dog's eating habits will never change.

Another set of nutritional rules

Meals should be provided at the same time each day, preferably in a quiet environment. Mix dry kibble with warm water and canned food to provide moisture. Instead of canned food, use boiled egg or cottage cheese.

Let your puppy go hungry if she wants to. Skipping a meal is fine if the puppy has a consistent energy level and does not skip more than one meal. Offer her leftovers after a few hours.

So if your dog doesn’t want to eat, don’t force or tempt him by offering him meat, meals from your table, or other non-dog food. Insufficient nutrition will teach your puppy to expect “human food” at the table. The “nice stuff” will be offered if you hold it out long enough. Present the food that you will feed your puppy/dog in the future.

Unusually, unless there is a health problem, dogs will not eat (e.g. malnutrition, hunger). Her hunger will drive her to eat what you give her. A veterinarian should be seen as soon as possible.

Feeding human food

However, it would help if you didn’t feed your puppy (or dog) from your table while they were eating. This might not bother you if you’re eating alone, but it can be a concern if you have company and the dog is sitting at their feet waiting for food. Dogs don’t understand the difference between a casual and a formal dinner. Train your dog early on not to expect food from the table – or even the counter – and to expect food from other sources.

In the kitchen, place any dog-safe leftovers in a dog bowl away from the eating and meal preparation areas. Just because you’ve given him nutritious meals is enough for him to be grateful.

Instead of waiting for leftovers, plan his meals in advance so he's not hungry when you eat.

What is the ideal meal for a puppy?

Her breed and dietary needs will determine how much food your puppy will need. A serving size is listed on most puppy food packages, although this may vary depending on your dog's preferences and dietary needs. Larger, more active dogs need more calories than smaller, more laid-back dogs. Keep in mind that overfeeding your puppy can lead to obesity. Obesity is common in Labrador Retrievers. A common reason for overfeeding dogs is their seemingly insatiable appetite.

Puppy health improves with age. Ribs that extend past the waist indicate that you are not feeding your dog enough. If this is the case, take her to a vet for a parasite check. In fact, some breeds have lean genetics and prominent ribs. A Greyhound is one example.

Do puppies need constant access to water?

Constantly having a bowl of water is not recommended for puppies. It encourages excessive drinking, which can make potty training difficult. Continue to give him water and take him outside to pee. As he gets older and learns to control his bladder, you can give him water on demand so he can drink (wait until you get home to go outside).