Feeding Dogs: Feeding Puppies

Growing puppies not only do have growing appetites, puppies also have a high need to get the best quality food and nutritional intake in this formative or developing stage. Most dog breeds only require quality food to get healthy. But some, especially giant breeds need a large breed puppy kibble. This kind of feed is needed to allow a steady and slow rate of growth which eliminates the risks of puppies to illness, skeletal malfunctions and defects because large breed puppy kibbles are in fact made of lower percent of protein and fat.

Dog breeders and owners might encounter problems with the appetite of these young ones. If they are not interested in food, moistening the kibble with water or a small amount of milk encourages them to eat and at the same time increasing their fluid intake.

Dog breeders and owners should pay attention to the amount of milk they add to the feed as it can serve as a laxative and cause abdominal upset to dogs, puppies and adults alike. If possible, goat milk is easier for them to digest as it is lactose-free.

It is best to feed puppies four or three times a day. This gives them a constant supply of nutrients, keeps blood sugar levels, and help them from being overly famished. Also, feeding them at the same times each day and taking them outside for a bathroom break as soon as they finish eating aids in housetraining.

“A fat puppy is healthy” is a misconception. Instead, skinny puppies are healthy puppies. Excess fat on their body can lead to serious bone abnormalities. It is important to understand that the amount of food needed and how long a puppy is fed depends on the size, environment, growth rate, breed and energy levels of puppies. That is why some trial and error is necessary to know how much food is required to keep them healthy. The puppies reach their full height in a span of one year. Small dogs take around six to seven months to do so and twelve to fourteen months for giant breeds.

This dog article containing info on dog breeding, dog fitness and health and dog food is brought to you by DogsUnlimited.