Today, there are hundreds of brands and types of puppy food available, making it difficult for pet owners to choose the best one. While it's difficult to evaluate every puppy food brand on the market, there are a few key factors to consider.
What is puppy food?
Puppies and developing dogs require twice the daily nutritional needs of adult dogs. Their bones, muscles, joints, internal organs, and immune systems are developing rapidly. A balanced puppy diet provides nutrients that adult dog meals lack, as they are no longer needed after the puppy reaches adulthood. It contains all the vitamins, approximately 30% protein, and minerals needed to develop into a healthy adult puppy. Adult dogs should not eat puppy food due to its high fat content.
How long should you feed your puppy puppy food?
Puppies remain on this diet until they reach adulthood. For most dogs, this means a year of puppy food until they reach 80% adulthood. If the puppy is growing too quickly and your vet is concerned, you may need to discontinue feeding puppy food (lung bone disease and panosteitis are two worrisome growth disorders, for example). In such cases, you should consult your veterinarian.
Which puppy food is best?
You can buy moist, semi-moist, or dry kibble for your dog. The dry version of puppy food contains the most meat protein. It's also more practical, cheaper, easier to digest, and cleaner. However, moist puppy food is more expensive and degrades faster if not stored properly. Moist food contains fewer nutrients because it's usually 75% water. Tooth decay is another problem with moist puppy food.
The ideal approach is to feed your puppy a mix of dry kibble and moist dog food. You can mix and match them from meal to meal.
Semi-moist puppy food is also a good option (i.e., it comes in pre-measured packaging and doesn't need to be refrigerated). It can be expensive and offers no dental benefits. Semi-moist food is high in salt, preservatives, and sugar and can cause obesity and hyperactivity in some dogs.
What is the best puppy food?
The best puppy food should be chosen based on ingredients and the requirements of AAFCO and the National Research Council. Pet food standards must meet or exceed the fundamental requirements of these groups.
Many generic brands meet minimal criteria and may lack the nutrients your puppy needs, resulting in stunted growth or even starvation. That doesn't mean the most expensive brand is always the best.
In most cases, talking to someone experienced in raising (and feeding) dogs, such as breeders and trainers, can be very helpful. Your veterinarian can also help, but some may be biased toward a particular brand. Store employees are in the same boat, there to sell products that will increase the store's profit margin. Talking to someone who isn't affiliated with a company can help you find great dog food.
How often should your puppy eat puppy food?
Puppies should be fed at least three times a day until they are six months old, after which they should switch to twice-daily feeding. Because the growth rate of many breeds slows at this age, it's recommended to limit their meals to morning and evening. Your dog's eating habits will never change.
Another set of nutritional rules
Meals should be provided at the same time each day, preferably in a quiet environment. Mix dry kibble with warm water and canned food to provide moisture. Instead of canned food, use boiled eggs or cottage cheese.
Let your puppy go hungry if she wants to. Skipping a meal is fine as long as your puppy has a consistent energy level and doesn't skip more than one meal. Offer her leftovers after a few hours.
So if your dog doesn't want to eat, don't force or tempt him by offering meat, meals from your table, or other non-dog food. Inadequate nutrition will teach your puppy to expect "human food" at the table. The "fun stuff" will be offered if you hold it out long enough. Offer the food you plan to feed your puppy/dog in the future.
It's unusual for dogs to not eat unless there's a health issue (e.g., malnutrition, hunger). Their hunger will drive them to eat whatever you give them. A veterinarian should be consulted as soon as possible.
Feeding human food
However, it would be helpful if you didn't feed your puppy (or dog) from your table during dinner. This might not bother you if you're eating alone, but it can be a concern if you have company and the dog is sitting at their feet waiting for food. Dogs don't understand the difference between an informal and a formal dinner. Train your dog initially not to expect food from the table—or even the countertop—and to expect food from other sources.
In the kitchen, place any dog-safe leftovers in a dog bowl, away from the dining and meal preparation areas. Just because you've given him nutritious meals is enough for him to be grateful.
Instead of waiting for leftovers, you should plan his meals in advance so he's not hungry when you eat.
What is the ideal meal for a puppy?
Her breed and nutritional needs determine how much food your puppy needs. A serving size is listed on most puppy food packaging, although this may vary depending on your dog's preferences and dietary needs. Larger, more active dogs need more calories than smaller, more relaxed dogs. Keep in mind that overfeeding your puppy can lead to obesity. Obesity is common in Labrador Retrievers. A common reason for overfeeding dogs is their seemingly insatiable appetite.
The health of puppies improves with age. Ribs that extend past the waist indicate you're not feeding your dog enough. If so, take her to a vet for a parasite check. In fact, some breeds have lean genetics and prominent ribs. A Greyhound is one example.
Do puppies need constant access to water?
Constantly providing a bowl of water is not recommended for puppies. It encourages excessive drinking, which can make potty training difficult. Continue giving them water and taking them outside to pee. As they grow older and learn to control their bladder, you can give them water on demand so they can drink (wait until you get home to go outside).
