Puppy Food
You have just brought your new puppy home!
However, in the excitement a very important aspect is neglected. What, how and when are you going to feed your puppy…
Some of the biggest mistakes most new puppy owners make is related to food and feeding. Food is always the last thing they think of. So let's just give him any dog food, or worse still, human food. And let's leave his food in his bowl so that he can eat whenever he wants to.
Well, do the above and puppy problems will crop up - digestive problems, an irritable or lazy puppy, a fat puppy!
Below is a guide with some tips to help you in the all-important puppy feeding process:
- Puppies should always be fed proper puppy food. There is no replacement for it, especially in a growing puppy. Choose a recognised brand with a decent nutritional value and stick with it. Your puppy's digestive system will have problems handling changes in food and it might cause digestive problems.
- Puppies younger than 10 weeks should be fed 3 times a day.
- Puppies between 10 weeks and 9 months should be fed twice a day.
- You can either continue to feed them twice a day into adulthood or reduce their meals to once a day. This will depend on your situation and your puppy. Either way, follow the established routine.
- Puppies should always be fed at the same time every day.
- Feed your puppy for 15 minutes and then take away his food bowl. Never leave him food throughout the day. He will overeat.
- Do not change your puppy food too often. If you do need to change it, introduce him to the new food gradually.
- Always follow the guidelines on the package of your puppy food for the recommended feeding amount.
- Make sure your puppy always has water in his bowl and keep his food and water bowl clean.
- Don't worry if your puppy loses his appetite. This will happen occasionally (especially when he is teething) and should sort itself out.
- Don't worry if your puppy has diarrhoea. This can happen with a change of diet or if he has eaten something he should not have! However, if it lasts for more than a couple of days, take him to the vet.
- Remember, always follow a strict feeding routine and always give your puppy proper puppy food. If you want to spoil him, spoil him with specialised puppy treats.