Are you a new pet owner? Or maybe you’re new to having a puppy? If you’ve ever walked down the dog food aisle of a grocery store, you’ve probably noticed the overwhelming array of options. Puppy food has come a long way since the days of dry kibble. The quality of ingredients, the specific nutrients and flavors that are added to foods, and the packaging itself have all become much more sophisticated in recent years. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you make this intimidating decision!
Feed your puppy high-quality food.
Your puppy’s diet is one of the most important aspects of raising a healthy, happy dog. High-quality food will help your puppy grow strong and healthy, with a shiny coat and strong teeth. It can also help to promote energy levels that will make them less likely to get sick or injured as they play around outside or in the yard.
When choosing a food for your new friend, consider these factors:
- The first ingredient should be meat protein (chicken, lamb, or fish). This tells you what type of meat was used as its main ingredient – and whether it was processed into something else like poultry by-product meal or other mystery ingredients. Meat should be the first ingredient because dogs are carnivores; they need animal protein, not plant-based sources like grains or vegetables.
- The second ingredient should be grain, not corn! Corn is cheaper than other ingredients, but it doesn’t provide much nutritional value for your pet.
- Avoid foods with artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives (BHA/BHT). These chemicals have been linked with cancerous tumors in animals that consume them regularly over time.
Puppies still need to be fed carefully, but you can relax a little knowing that most major brands have taken great pains to ensure your puppy is getting everything it needs from its diet by providing healthy ingredients and balanced nutrition. If you have questions or concerns regarding ingredients when choosing food for your new companion, always consult your breeder or veterinarian.
Feed your puppy dry food.
Dry food is more digestible than wet, which means it’s easier for your puppy to process. This can help prevent digestive problems, such as diarrhea and constipation. Dry dog food also has a longer shelf life than wet food, so you won’t have to worry about replacing it every few days or weeks. And if you travel with your pup often (or just want an easy way to feed them when they’re at home), dry kibble is much easier to transport than cans of wet food!
If you are considering supplementing with canned food, make sure you choose high-quality products. Avoid brands with fillers like corn or wheat gluten that may cause digestive issues in some dogs.
Give your puppy fresh water at all times.
Your puppy needs fresh water at all times. Water is an important part of a healthy diet, and it’s needed to help flush out toxins. It also helps digestion and hydration, as well as providing energy for your pup’s body.
No, your leftovers are not a good option.
Do not feed human food or table scraps to your puppy, as this can lead to diarrhea, overeating, nutritional imbalance, and/or other digestive problems. It’s also important to avoid giving your puppy any type of food that is too rich or fatty (this is often the case with human food), as it could cause pancreatitis (a serious disease in dogs).
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It’s crucial that you take the time to make sure your puppy is eating a good diet. Feeding your puppy well will help them grow strong and healthy, both physically and mentally!
What brand of food are you considering for or currently feeding your puppy? Share with us in the comments!
With our go-home package, we give you all the information on what your puppy is eating. Often we start them off at the weaning stage with a very gentle food like the white fish blend from PawTree and gradually get them on the All Life Stages Chicken blend with Lifes Abundance. We feel very strongly that each breed of puppy is growing at a different rate and have experience with what works best for either the small breed or the large breed. Just as dog food is not all the same, neither is your puppy’s growth.
All our adults are on the NuVet supplement and we feel very confident with using this supplement for over 12 years in our breeding program. It makes all the difference how our mothers manage stress and bounce back after giving birth and the weaning of puppies stages.