For new puppy owners when a puppy is coming home, there are lots of excitement, fun clubbed with confusion and stress. We have noticed there is a long list of questions about the feeding guideline of your puppy so that you can greet your homecoming puppy wholeheartedly.
When a puppy comes home he is just a few weeks old. So, the first question that worries every puppy owner is what should. Do they feed to the puppy? Shall they start the new food or carry on with the old one? Here is the answer. As the puppy has a delicate digestive system hence, it is advised not to disturb the same and go on with the same food given to him. Ask your breeder about your puppy’s diet. Slowing starts introducing the complete diet which is explained below.
Basic Essentials for your new puppy:
- Puppy is going to need a room or at least a place to call its own. Nowadays we go with crate training, as it simplifies most of the puppy handling problems. Though I won’t recommend Crate training but considering both of pups’ parents are working fulltime I can be a little liberal on my stand. If you still one of the people who are against the Crate handling.
- Food and water bowls – There are plenty of options other than Stainless steel bowls. For the breeds susceptible to bloat (some medium to large breeds), Puzzle bowls may help to slow down the rate of feeding, and therefore the amount of air swallowed when eating.
- Toys to chew on and play with
- A collar and leash
- Plenty of newspapers or training pads – for potty training.
- Most important in puppy diet
Feeding your puppy
On the first day, the biggest question is what, when and how to feed puppies arises. Many pet owners are not so confused about this part, as they will be guided by puppy’s breeder or where you acquired. Most of the instructions would be given at the time of pick up, Just blindly follow the same type and brand of food for at least a few days. Puppies grow to learn to eat and grow faster, so this task is not major to worry.
Never ever bring puppy before 7 weeks minimum. A puppy should not be separated from its mother and siblings before 6/8 weeks of birth. Mother’s milk is essential for the puppy’s growth. It supplies vital nutrition and antibodies. The playtime with littermates constitutes a solid framework for its future social behavior. An early separation can cause behavior issues.
An Ideal puppy feeding schedule :
6:30 a.m. wake up, quick exercise
7:00 a.m. morning meal, outdoor walking, playtime then back to crate
10:00 a.m. outdoor walking, bonding time with the owner then back to crate
12:00 (noon) midday meal
1:00 p.m. outdoor walking, playtime then back to crate
5:00 p.m. evening meal, outdoor walking, playtime
7:00 p.m. short outdoor walk, playtime, then back to crate
9:00 p.m. bedtime (in his crate or in your bedroom)
What to feed puppies
When choosing your puppy’s food, you should initially check the ingredients, ensuring that proteins are present and that grains, such as rice, are of good quality. You should also check the energy provided by the food and the number of minerals present in it. Most commercially available puppy and dog foods contain all the nutrients your canine friend needs for a complete and balanced diet.
When preparing food, always ensure you follow the recommended feeding guide on the package (unless otherwise recommended by your vet), as amounts can vary from breed to breed and also change with age.
Remember that the recommended daily allowance should be divided into three meals.
When it comes to what to feed a puppy, feeding them dry food is advised. This will let them get used to chewing before swallowing. Additionally, your puppy should always have access to a water bowl, so they can drink from it throughout the day.
Puppy feeding tips
- It is better to stick to one variety of good quality puppy food and do not add any supplements (unless instructed by your vet), as over supplementing can be harmful to your puppy.
- If your puppy does not eat all of its meal in one go, you may be offering it too much. Not all dogs eat the amount recommended by the food manufacturers. The right amount should produce firm, dark brown, crinkly stools. If the stools are firm but get softer towards the end, this is a classic sign of overfeeding.
- Never change your puppy’s diet abruptly (unless under the direction of your vet). If you want to change its diet, do it gradually over a period of a few days to a week.
- Do not feed your puppy before traveling in the car as this can encourage car-sickness, or an hour before or after exercise as this could contribute to a stomach dilation and torsion (also known as bloat) which is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate veterinary intervention.
- For owners of breeds who are thought to be susceptible to bloat (some medium to large breeds), you should seek advice from your breeder, vet and/or breed club on precautionary measures when feeding your puppy. Puzzle bowls may help to slow down the rate of feeding, and therefore the amount of air swallowed when eating (a contributing factor to the condition).
- Leave your puppy in peace while it is eating from its bowl. Taking the bowl away while it is eating causes anxiety, which can lead to food aggression. If you want to be sure that your puppy is comfortable with you approaching it during mealtimes, add a little food to the bowl while it is eating, so it sees you as an asset, rather than a threat.
- Never feed your puppy from the table or your plate, as this encourages drooling and attention-seeking behaviors such as begging and barking.
Homemade food options for puppies
1) Turkey Meal
- Ground turkey: Excellent source of protein
- Brown rice: Carb & mineral morsels to keep up energy
- Carrots: Vitamin A – and more – for keeping eyes healthy
- Spinach: Full of dietary fiber, vitamins, folate & manganese
- Egg: Exactly the protein, calcium, iron & zinc dogs need
- Fish oil: Omega Fatty Acids for a healthy coat
2) Beef Meal
- Ground beef: Protein, vitamins & minerals for strong bones
- Potatoes: Energy producing & potassium-packed
- Carrots: Vitamin A – and more – for keeping eyes healthy
- Peas: Fiber, Vitamin A, C, K & B6, and minerals galore
- Egg: Exactly the protein, calcium, iron & zinc dogs need.
3)Chicken Meal
- Chicken thighs: Protein, vitamins, and Minerals
- Sweet potatoes: Vitamins A, B6 & C along with fiber, potassium, and manganese make these tasty morsels a superfood
- Yellow squash: Fiber, vitamins B6, C & K, magnesium and potassium
- Spinach: Full of dietary fiber, vitamins, folate & manganese
4) Pork Meal
- Pork: Protein, Vitamin B6 & minerals
- Potatoes: Energy producing & potassium-packed
- Kale: A superfood for your puppy’s diet
- Green beans: Fiber, Vitamins A, C, K & minerals galore
- Zucchini: Vitamins B6, C & K, magnesium & potassium
- Mushrooms: Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper & Manganese
5)Egg Meal
- Eggs: Essential protein, calcium, iron & zinc
- Firm tofu: A laundry list of vitamins & minerals, plus Omega-3s
- Teff: A powerhouse of calcium, protein & fiber
- Carrots: Vitamin A & others keep eyes healthy
- Green beans: Fiber, Vitamins A, C, K & minerals galore
- Dried mulberries: Rich antioxidants, fiber & plant-based proteins
- Bamboo shoots: Protein, Vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin, iron & more
- Chia seeds: Energy-boosting superfood with more fiber & protein
- Coconut oil: Healthy fats for skin & coat improvement
By general rule of thumb, the puppy should go to their new home in the 8 – 12 week old age range.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Feed your puppy at the same place and same time.
- Always give fresh food, if your pet is not in a mood to take the food remove and feed it afterward
- Avoid keeping the food in the bowl continuously, this may lead to spoilage and digestive problems.
- Adjust the height of the bowl by using the adjustable feeding stand.
- The food and water bowls of the dog should be regularly washed, and if they are made of plastic than they should be replaced from time to time.
- Don’t offer food from the table while eating
- Feed your puppy after you and your family has done with the meal
- Avoid your puppy jumping about 1-2 hours of eating
- Always keep water available in a bowl for the puppy throughout the day.
- Real chocolate is poisonous to puppies and can cause liver damage and even be fatal, so never give your puppy any chocolate.
- Avoid giving your puppy any sweet biscuits or sugary treats which are bad for its teeth as well as its waistline, and can cause sugar ‘highs’ and ‘lows’.
- Be in touch with a good veterinarian to consult about the puppy’s vaccinations, ideal diet, and other health-related concerns.
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