Feeding Your Dog

PUPPIES- When your puppy is very young, 8-12confirm that the first ingredient is meat and not meat
weeks old, you will need to feed it four times a day.by-products. When your puppy begins teething this
You can taper your puppy's feeding schedulemay affect its eating habits and your puppy may not
gradually as it gets older. Puppies three to six monthshave much of an appetite. Don't panic, this is normal.
old require three meals a day. Twice a day feeding isCheck with your veterinarian regarding breed types
optimal for puppies six months to one year old. Afterand feeding habits, some larger breeds require puppy
your dog celebrates its first birthday, the feedingfood up to year two or when they have reached full
schedule should diminish to one meal a day. For largermaturity for nutritional reasons.
canines and dogs susceptible to bloating, you canYour puppy will have a healthier and stronger
feed them two smaller meals a day. The food youdigestive system and will not suffer maladies like
feed your dog or puppy should be premium dry foodupset stomach or diarrhea if you feed it the same
for a well balanced diet.food every day. Puppies' systems don't adjust well to
This may be combined with canned dog food, waterchange and it's a good idea to stick to the same
or broth. Some dogs like a treat of people food toschedule of feeding time on a daily basis. Even
accompany their daily cuisine such as cooked eggs,though your little loyal companion will look at you with
fruits, cottage cheese and vegetables. Go easy onsad and hungry puppy eyes, do your best not to
the people food with puppies as it can result ingive in and overfeed it. As your puppy grows, you
vitamin deficiencies, teeth and bone problems,will change its food to a new brand or flavor type.
obesity, picky eating habits and annoying tableDoing this gradually by mixing some of the old food
manners such as begging while owners are havingwith the new food until you have transitioned your
dinner! You must always make sure your pup or dogpuppy over will help it adjust to the digestive
has lots of clean water and wash your dog's foodchanges that result from this change.
and water bowls regularly.It is normal for puppies to experience some stomach
Puppies' nutritional needs are different than their adultupset problems and this is no cause for alarm if the
dog counterparts. Choosing a puppy food that hassymptoms go away within a day or two. Your
good nutrition balance will ensure that your pup ispuppy's appetite will change as it grows and it is a
getting the right amount of protein, calcium and thegood idea to monitor the changes you see with your
correct amount of calories. You should always checkpuppy. Contact your veterinarian if upset stomach or
labels of dog and puppy food before buying anddiarrhea occurs for a longer amount of time.