I am lucky enough to have my sister live with my family. It is great because the kids get to see their Aunty and I have a live-in babysitter ;). One thing she's always wanted to do was have her own dog so she surprised us all and brought home a puppy, her name is Duchess! So now what? I put a list together of the most common questions I had about feeding a new puppy and had them answered by Dr. Adolphe the pet nutritionist at Petcurean.
How much should we be feeding her and how often?
Energy requirements can vary considerably between puppies, even those that are the same breed and body weight. To figure out how much to feed, start with the feeding guidelines on your dog food bag and then adjust according to your puppy’s body condition. If your pup gets a bit pudgy, cut back on her food, or if she is too skinny, up the amount you provide. You want to make sure that your pup is at an ideal body weight by controlling her energy intake.
Maintaining a healthy body weight is particularly important for large breed puppies, such as Boxers, to prevent bone and joint disorders later in life. Too many calories cause rapid growth and problems with bone development. Make sure your pup maintains a lean body weight with regular vet checkups.
Typically it is recommended to feed puppies two to four times per day, depending on your personal schedule. Since the energy requirements of puppies are higher on a body weight basis compared to adult dogs, puppies need to eat a greater volume of food relative to their size. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals ensures that her energy requirements are met without providing too large a quantity of food at one meal. As your puppy gets older, you can decrease the number of meals if necessary to fit your lifestyle.
Do we need to mix the food with water?
It is very important to provide fresh, clean water at all times. Though it is not necessary to mix her food with water, this can help to increase her fluid intake. If you decide to mix kibble with water, it is important to remember that the wet kibble needs to be handled like fresh food, and requires refrigeration if it is not eaten right away.
Should we leave food out if she doesn’t eat it?
We recommend meal-feeding your pup, rather than leaving food out all of the time, to help manage when and how much she eats. You need to know when she eats to help prevent stomach problems associated with eating too close to exercise or traveling in the car. Meal feeding is also helpful for house-training puppies because you will be better able to predict when she might need to go outside to relieve herself.
What is the best Petcurean food for a puppy that is a large breed?
Petcurean’s food finder is a great place to start to help you choose the right food for your pet. For
large breed puppies, it is important to select a food that is formulated to meet their unique nutritional needs, such as the NOW FRESH™ Large Breed puppy recipe.
Large breed puppies require balanced calorie, calcium, and phosphorus intake in order to support healthy bone development. Petcurean’s NOW FRESH™ recipes also provide a blend of ingredients that provide dietary fibre which helps to promote digestive health and prevent loose stool.
Exercise – we typically stick to a 20-minute walk and she plays with LouLou in the yard. Should we feed her after a walk and should she be getting more exercise?
That is terrific that she is getting regular exercise! Burning off puppy energy is really important to help keep her out of trouble. The best way to determine if she is getting enough exercise is based on her behavior. If she’s a busybody, it may be necessary to increase her exercise to keep her happy.
Puppy classes are a great way to socialize, burn energy, and train your new pup. The first few months are a critical time in a puppy’s life to introduce them to lots of new experiences so that she grows up to be a good canine neighbor and the best pet possible! It is also important to speak with your vet about the amount and type of exercise you are giving your puppy, particularly for large breeds, to make sure it is not harmful to her developing bones.
It is recommended that you do not feed your pup for at least one hour after exercise. Gastric dilatation volvulus, or twisted stomach, is a serious and often fatal condition in dogs that is associated with feeding large meals and feeding too close to exercise.
When do you increase her food intake, is there a good schedule to follow?
As she grows, follow the feeding guidelines on your dog food bag to determine when to increase her food. Also, follow her cues and assess her body condition score regularly. Does she always seem hungry and begging for
more food? You will likely want to up her food allowance gradually if she never seems satisfied, but watch her body condition to make sure she does not pack on extra body fat.
Treats? Yes/no
Treats are an essential training tool for puppies! Positive reinforcement is the kindest, most successful way to train your pup. Along with praise and play, treats are important to reinforce good behavior. Treats, or your pup’s kibble, can also be used in treat dispensing toys to help keep her busy. Just remember that treats add calories, so you will want to make your treats as small as possible, while still providing enough of a reward for your pup that she responds with enthusiasm.
Whether you prefer to buy ready-made treats or make your own, there are many healthy treat options available. Look for treats made with whole food, and natural ingredients. Avoid treats that are high in sugar, fat or salt, as well as those made with artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. Cut-up raw veggies, such as carrots or broccoli, can also make tasty and healthy treats.
One of my tricks for keeping my own three dogs occupied when I leave the house is to freeze some Petcurean GO!™ canned food inside their chew toys. This creates healthy and delicious treats that last.
I know that's a ton of information but I know some of you probably want to know the exact same things I asked.
Do you have a puppy?
