Is your new furry friend a puppy? Congratulations! Like with any new addition to the family, there are some things you need to do to make sure your puppy has a smooth transition into his or her new home. One of the most important is creating and following a feeding schedule and being mindful of their requirements. This may seem like a daunting task, but we are here to help. In this blog post, we will provide you with a basic outline for feeding your new puppy. Happy parenting!
The best food and feeding methods for puppies
Food and feeding methods are one of the most important factors when raising a puppy. It’s essential for puppies to eat the right food at the right time, and it’s also important to avoid overfeeding them.
Puppy owners should feed a complete, balanced diet for growth from a reputable company that has undergone feeding trials. This will ensure a proper rate of growth and help maintain a lean body condition score. You can determine if the food you are feeding has undergone feeding trials by evaluating the AAFCO statement on the bag.
Additionally, puppies should be fed meals, as opposed to free-feeding and leaving food out all the time. This will allow you to remain in control over how much your puppy is eating and when i.e. portion control. This helps to build a routine for your puppy and will make it easier to potty train them as well.
When feeding your puppy, always use a clean, shallow bowl that is easily accessible to your puppy. Bowls should be made of metal, ceramic, or glass. Plastic bowls can hold onto odours and become harder to clean over time, which can lead to bacterial growth. Stainless steel is the best type of bowl to use as it is easy to clean and doesn’t hold onto odours. Cleaning the bowls daily or every other day will help prevent contamination of both the food and bowl.
How much and how often to feed puppies
The amount of food puppies need depends on their age, breed, and activity level. Generally speaking, puppies should be fed three to four times a day until they are four months old. After four months, you can reduce the feeding frequency to two times a day.
When trying to calculate how much your puppy should be eating, it is important to calculate their Resting Energy Requirement (RER) in the form of calories. A simple formula to calculate the RER is 30 x body weight in kg + 70. For puppies less than four months of age, you multiply this number by 3, and for puppies greater than four months of age, multiply the RER by 2.
This number will be their daily caloric needs, which you can then divide by the number of meals you are feeding per day to calculate how many calories per meal. For example, if your puppy requires 400 calories per day and you are feeding them three times a day, they will need approximately 133 calories per meal. The bag of food will reveal the number of calories per cup of food (i.e. kcal/cup).
How to feed small breed puppies
Smaller breeds like Yorkshire Terriers and Maltese have a higher metabolic rate and therefore need to eat more frequently than larger breeds. They should be fed four to six times a day until they are around four months old, and then the feeding frequency can be reduced to two or three times a day. Toy or small breed puppies have low glycogen stores and the limited ability of the liver to make glucose (gluconeogenesis). To prevent juvenile hypoglycemia in small breed puppies, we recommend feeding at-risk puppies 4-6 times per day for the first 3-4 months of life.
When selecting food for small-breed puppies, try to choose one that is specifically designed for small-breed puppies. The carbohydrate content will be higher and the kibble size will be smaller, making it safer and easier for your puppy to eat.
How to feed large breed puppies
Large breed puppies grow quickly and if they are not controlled, they can have problems with their bones. Large-breed puppies that are overnourished develop greater body weight and faster growth of bones, with aberrant bone remodeling. This leads to a less dense skeletal structure that cannot support the load as well as it should. Developing a healthy growth rate and providing the body with nutrients in amounts adjusted for energy intake can help prevent these problems.
The easiest way to feed large breed puppies is to feed a diet that is specifically designed for large breed puppies. This type of food will have a lower calorie density, which will help your puppy to grow at a healthy rate. Large breed puppies should be fed three times a day until they are around four months old, and then the feeding frequency can be reduced to two times a day. It is incredibly important to feed proper amounts that allow for healthy growth so that your puppy does not become overweight. Combining a large-breed puppy diet with having an ideal weight throughout puppyhood will reduce the risk of developing orthopedic problems later in life.
Can I feed adult food to my large breed puppy?
Large-breed puppies should not be fed diets designed for adult dogs until they are at least a year of age and this is for several reasons.
Puppy foods are designed to meet the nutritional requirements of growing puppies, while some adult foods may not. Additionally, some "all life stage" diets marketed as adult food are actually puppy diets - so you might accidentally overfeed your pup if you switch. Finally, energy (calories) intake affects a puppy's growth rate; by feeding them growth-appropriate diets in the recommended amounts, you can avoid any problems with overfeeding.
When to start feeding solid foods to puppies?
Puppies should start eating solid food around 4-6 weeks of age. At this time, they will begin to wean off their mother's milk and transition to eating solid food. It is important to start with soft food that is easy to digest and then slowly transition to a harder kibble. Puppies should be completely transitioned to solid kibble by the time they are 8-10 weeks old.
Frequently asked questions about creating a feeding schedule for puppies
When can I feed my puppy twice a day?
Puppies can be fed twice a day starting at around 4-6 months of age.
What is a good feeding schedule for an 8-week-old puppy?
An 8-week-old puppy should be fed three times a day. If you have a toy or small-breed dog, feeding 4 times a day at 8 weeks of age is recommended to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
How many cups of food should I feed my puppy per day?
The amount of food you should feed your puppy will depend on the specific food you are feeding as well as your puppy's weight, breed, and activity level. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about how much food your puppy needs and follow the feeding recommendations on the food packaging.
When can I stop feeding puppy food?
A good guideline to follow, regardless of breed, is to transition your puppy to adult food around a year of age.
Feeding schedules for puppies can be confusing, but with a little knowledge, it's easy to create a plan that works for both you and your new furry friend. We've broken down the best food options and feeding methods for puppies of all shapes and sizes, so now you can feel confident about what and how much to feed your pup. Remember, always consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your puppy's health. Have fun creating memories while raising your newest addition!