The puppy needs a diet adapted to his age to develop harmoniously and remain in good health. Feeding your puppy well is essential to increase his life expectancy. You must therefore make sure to give him excellent quality growth food that provides all the nutrients he needs as he grows.
What does a puppy need?
As long as he is fed by his mother, she transmits the immunity that protects him. Once weaned, i.e. as soon as he reaches the age of 6 to 8 weeks, the young dog must continue to be protected by his immune system.
The owner should therefore choose a diet adapted to the age of his little companion, of course, but also to his weight, his activity and his breed. It is out of the question to overfeed your puppy because it exposes him to the risk of obesity. On the other hand, it is essential that the food meet his nutritional needs.
Since the puppy's body is still fragile and his digestive system is immature, the animal must be given a personalized diet. This must allow for the mineralization of its bones and teeth while providing the puppy with the energy it needs on a daily basis, i.e. twice as much as an adult dog.
The intake of vitamin D, iron, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, calcium and proteins must be sufficient, while it is recommended to avoid carbohydrates in puppies because they increase the risk of
- Of cardiovascular problems,
- Overweight,
- Diabetes,
- Kidney failure.
We choose a perfectly dosed and balanced industrial food, designed for young dogs, and in relation to the animal's growth rate. In a large breed puppy, the adult size is reached only at the age of 2 years while in a small breed puppy, the growth is completed around 10 months.
Finally, it is preferable not to vary the puppy's diet. If you don't respect this dietary rule, you risk damaging his intestinal microbiota and causing diarrhea, abdominal pain and, in some cases, skin problems.
Feeding your puppy well: forbidden foods
The puppy is a greedy and voracious animal. He is therefore capable of eating just about anything. That's why his owner must be very vigilant, especially when the family includes young children, who are ready to share their snacks with their little companion. However, many food products intended for humans can represent a real danger for animals, some of them being even toxic for canines.
Here are some examples of foods that are not allowed for puppies:
- Avocado,
- Milk,
- Sweets,
- Salty products,
- Chocolate.
More generally, you should avoid giving your puppy the leftovers of family meals.
As for meat, it should always be cooked. This limits the risks of contamination by bacteria.
Puppy's daily diet
Feeding your puppy well doesn't mean stuffing him so he doesn't miss anything! On the contrary, you should give him a little at a time, but more often than if he were an adult dog. It is important to respect the number of meals recommended by the veterinarians on a daily basis:
- From 2 to 3 months: 4 rations,
- Between 4 and 6 months: 2 to 3 rations,
- From the age of 2 months: 2 rations only.
As for the ideal quantity for each ration, it is clearly indicated on the packaging of the food and must be respected. It's best to moisten dry kibble and then partially crush it, at least until the puppy is 10 weeks old. Kibble helps the animal keep its teeth healthy because it is a crunchy food.
It is recommended to always be aware of the ingredients in the kibble you are giving your puppy and to only choose high quality products. If in doubt, ask your veterinarian for advice.
Fresh, clean water
Water is part of a puppy's diet. The animal should never lack water. A bowl of fresh water should be provided, and renewed during the day so that it is always clean. The puppy should be able to come and drink at any time. However, it's best to leave only a moderate amount of water in the bowl because the puppy may be tempted to drink a lot too quickly, which is not desirable. Ideally, he should drink frequently, but not much at a time.
Regularly check your puppy's weight
In order to verify that the puppy's growth is harmonious and that he is not getting fat too fast, it is essential to check his weight by weighing him regularly. This will allow you to compare your puppy's growth curve with the one that corresponds to the breed's standards based on the puppy's sex and age.
Making sure your dog doesn't become obese means taking care of his health for his entire life. Let's not forget that, as in humans, excess weight in dogs considerably increases health problems. Weight control should be done regularly in puppies but also in adult dogs.
