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Giving the Best Nutrition for your Puppy

Written by Colleen Sedgwick. Posted in Health and Safety.

Have a puppy, but not sure what to feed them? Or do you have a puppy and feed them well, but want to mix it up a bit? Well, look no further and continue to read, because we have several great suggestions, as well as input. Many pet owners feed their puppies the wrong food, or do not give them proper or enough nutrition to assist with their development. Much like humans, a puppy’s nutrition is crucial, especially during their first few months of life. Brian Zanghi, the research nutritionist for Purina, states , “puppies have several distinct nutritional needs that require a specific formula”.

Following these essential guidelines will help you feed your puppy the best nutrition possible.

  • Puppies receive essential nutrients they need and require for the first four weeks of their life through their mother’s milk. You may have to substitute commercial milk, in case the mother isn’t producing enough milk or if the mom is not around. Contacting your veterinarian is best before purchasing any commercial milk.
  • When you do begin feeding your puppy food, ensure that it is in small quantities, with gradual increase.
  • Puppies need to receive double the intake of protein and nutrients that adults dog intake, and need to be fed a food that contains 25-30% of protein.
  • Of course, breeds are different with their intake of nutrients and the amount of food they need, however, small breed dogs reach their maximum body weight in 9-12 months. Therefore, it is very important to feed a portion-controlled method. This is also applies to medium- and large-size dogs.
  • If your puppy overeats and receives too much of a nutrient and not enough of another, they can have intense and painful growth spurts, as well as bone growth problems.
  • Never overfeed to make a puppy grow faster. Their genetics determine that. Overfeeding only causes severe growth deficiency and other health problems.
  • Feeding your puppy treats is always a nice reward, although this should be done sparingly and should only make up 5% of your puppy’s daily nutrient intake.

Remember, you can supplement your puppy’s (and kitten) food with many of our health supplements, treats and chews from our Wholistic range. These fortified and nutrient-rich supplements can be purchased HERE.

Source: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/feeding-your-puppy.aspx

dog nutrition, food, pet food store, puppy and health