The nutrient requirements of puppies are greater than those for an adult dog. Your puppy is dependent on you to provide a diet that is complete and balanced for optimum nutrition during it’s stage of rapid growth. For this reason, a food specially designed for puppies is recommended. No additional supplementation in the form of vitamins, minerals or other additives is needed. In fact it can be detrimental to proper development of growing pups. There is a wide range of dry complete foods on the market, with very varying quality.

What should I feed my puppy?

There are a number of important factors to keep in mind before settling on a dog food.
Dry food and raw food are the most popular choices in canine cuisine.

Dry dog food is the most popular choice as the dry texture guarantees easy cleanup in case of spills and small bits of kibble can conveniently be placed in a bowl for the dog to eat during the day. Also they are usually well balanced with protein and other essential ingredients. Make sure to read the labels when shopping for a dry food; like all products, some come with more high quality ingredients than others.

Here are some tips to help with reading labels:
No Preservatives, Artificial Colors or Flavors: Try to avoid buying foods that contain preservatives or other additives because they can be harmful to your dog’s health over time. Steer clear of any foods that contain the phrase: “chemical additives as a source of flavor.”
Type of Meat: The first ingredient listed on the label is the primary ingredient in the food. Foods that has a meat listed first are usually the higher quality foods. Avoid foods that list the main ingredient as “meat by-product.”

Raw dog foods are often claimed to be the healthiest selection for your dog. Most raw dog foods contain all-natural and unprocessed ingredients. Remember, these foods are not all meat, however, the primary product should be. They are balanced with other ingredients for added nutritional values.

Summary:
Determine a price you’re willing & able to pay, find a type of food your dog seems to like, and so long as the stools are solid and your dog experiences no ill effects, then perhaps you’ve found yourself a dog food. Finally, keep in mind that while a dog’s food and overall diet are certainly important, there is much more to a dog’s health and well-being than what your dog eats. Regular exercise and grooming, veterinary care, just a few.

Introducing a new food:
No matter which you choose, introduce it gradually over about a week. Mix in a small amount of the new food with the food your puppy is accustomed to eating. Mix more and more new in with the old each day until you h

ave made a complete transition.

How often should I feed my puppy?

Young puppies should be fed at least three times a day until their food requirements begin to level off as they mature. Feeding schedules can be reduced to twice a day when pups are four to five months old. Fresh water in a clean bowl should be available at all times.
* 2-4 months: 3 meals a day
* 4-6 months: 2-3 three meals a day
* Over 6 months: 2 meals a day

Dry food can be moistened with warm water to encourage food intake. One hour should be allowed for a puppy to eat, after which the uneaten portion should be discarded. Moistened dry food or canned food left at room temperature can become unpalatable and may even spoil if left out for several hours.

Where should I feed my puppy?

Your puppy should be fed in a quiet place away from interruptions and from where you eat.
Establishing routine eating habits by feeding a puppy in the same place and at the same time each day is recommended and can help in housebreaking.

How much should I feed my puppy?

Use the food manufacturer’s guidelines for how much to feed your puppy. But remember that the amount of food offered to a puppy will vary depending upon its size, activity, metabolism, and environment. Puppies should not be allowed to become overweight. If a puppy appears to be gaining too much weight, its food intake should be reduced. If a puppy appears to be too thin and there are no health problems, its food intake should be increased.