Feeding your Puppy

Puppies have a lot of growing up to do in a short space of time: in just 12 months (up to 24 months for larger breeds) they'll become fully-fledged adults. Their bodies have to develop incredibly quickly, so it's hardly surprising that they need the highest quality nutrition to get there - and plenty of it too. A healthy, energetic puppy can burn through between two and three times more calories than an adult dog! Calculate your puppy's nutritional needs here Nutritional Calculator
 Puppy nutrition
Puppies are full of curiosity about the world around them, but they need lots of energy to explore it. Manufactured puppy foods are designed to provide complete nutrition, without the bulk. Puppy formulas contain good levels of high quality protein to support healthy tissue and organ development, and higher levels of essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc and iron, as well as vitamin D to help build strong bones and teeth.  Puppies also have smaller mouths than adult dogs, so the smaller bite-sized kibbles in most manufactured puppy foods make it easier to chew and release all the essential nutrients.

Puppies have small stomachs but large appetites, so feed them small amounts on a frequent basis depending on their age. A responsible breeder should supply you with a diet sheet and feeding guide. As an indication they should be feed as follows:
  • 2-3 months: four meals a day
  • 4-6 months: two to three meals a day
  • Over 6 months: two meals a day
Don't be tempted to overfeed your puppy to speed up the growth process. Most of the food will be wasted. And as the volume will be too much for a developing digestion, it could lead to painful bone problems in the future. Also, be aware that overweight puppies turn into overweight dogs with all the problems that may cause. Ask friends and family not to share scraps, however sorry your puppy looks for itself!
Try not to feed your puppy immediately before or after exercise and allow an hour to pass between feeding and activity. This helps to prevent the risk of swelling or twisting of the stomach. Larger breeds can be prone to bloat and torsion. Puppies naturally enjoy crunching their food, which also helps keep their teeth strong and healthy. Consistency in the diet is also important, so unless there is an obvious problem, it's best to stick with the same brand of food. At Puppyluvsme our puppies are weaned and fed in to adulthood and their senior years on Purina Pro Plan.
Where to feed your puppy

Your puppy should be fed in a quiet place away from interruptions and from where you eat. Don't allow children to interrupt the meal or they may be mistaken as a 'predator' trying to steal food, which could lead to an aggressive reaction. If you have other dogs in the household, feed them separately to avoid bullying and fighting.
How to feed

Serve food at room temperature to ensure your puppy can taste and smell it properly. If you are feeding canned food, this can take up to two hours from being taken out of the fridge. If you (or your puppy) can't wait, just pop the food into a microwave-safe container and heat it up for a short time, being careful not to let the food re-cook, and mashing to avoid hot spots. It's also good idea to put your puppy's bowl on a surface that can be easily cleaned, like a tiled floor or a mat, and always provide fresh clean water.
As your pup grows bigger…

As puppies grow bigger, so does their appetite. They need more energy to support fast bursts of growth and build up muscle mass. Depending on breed, a six-month old puppy can require up to twice the daily calorie intake of a two-month old. After six months, however, the rate of growth will decline.
What not to feed

Despite those pleading, puppy dog eyes, try to avoid feeding table scraps and titbits. To do so will upset your puppy's nutritional balance, and can often be dangerous. Raw meat, in particular, can be infected with bacteria, and despite tasting so good, chocolate is a toxic to their system and should always be avoided.
Making the change to adult food

Even though most breeds look fully-grown at between six and eight months, they're still puppies on the inside. Their bones are becoming stronger and their bodies are continuing to fill out. Only after 12 months (up to 24 months for larger breeds) are they ready to make the transition to an adult food formula, when they no longer need the extra calories and nutrients. To avoid upsetting a sensitive digestion, start by mixing the new adult food with the puppy food you usually feed and gradually increase the proportion over 7 to 10 days.
The Purina Proplan brand offers formulas specifically developed to meet the needs of specific puppies and junior dogs, each the result of the very latest scientific advances in quality, taste and nutrition. Read more about feeding and weaning with Pro Plan here PP%20Puppy%20Feeding%20guide

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