Post by muskyhusky on Oct 17, 2008 14:28:15 GMT -6
Feed your puppy the same kind of food every day. Unlike humans, a dog's digestive system cannot handle changes in food. It can cause upset stomach and diarrhea.
When switching to a new food, gradually transition him to the new food by mixing portions of both foods until you slowly phase the old food out. Your puppy may experience diarrhea if his food is suddenly changed.
Feed your puppy at the same time every day.
Always have fresh drinking water available.
Keep food and water bowls clean.
Don't overfeed your puppy.
Follow the guidelines on the puppy food package for recommended feeding amounts.
Monitor your puppy's weight and activity level, and make feeding adjustments as necessary.
Don't be alarmed if your puppy's appetite changes. It is normal for your puppy to lose his appetite or experience digestive upset occasionally. If your puppy's upset stomach becomes severe or last longer than a day or two, contact your veterinarian.
If you are mixing water to dry food you should mix 4 parts dry food to 1 part water.
The first ingredient in your dogs food should be a "Meat". Not a "Meat Meal" or Meat By-Product, but the real thing. Puppies were not meant to primarily eat Corn and Wheat. If the first ingredient in your dog food is a Corn, Wheat, Meat-MEAL or Meat-By-Product Steer clear. The first ingredient represents what the dog food is most made out of. By-Products are the left overs, such as the Eyes, Hooves, Skin and Feet (unless the dog food specifically stats otherwise.)
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Typical Breed
Weight As An Adult Dog
Dry Food
Dry Food Mixed With Can Food
Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle
Up to 10 pounds
1/3 to 1 cup
1/4 can + up to 3/4 cup
Miniature Poodle, Scottish Terrier 10-25 pounds
1 to 2 1/4 cups
½ can + ½ to 1½ cups
Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Springer Spaniel 25-50 pounds
2 1/4 to 3 3/4 cups
1 can + 1 to 2½ cups
Collie, Boxer, Labrador, Golden Retriever 50-75 pounds
3 3/4 to 5 cups
1½ cans + 1 3/4 to 3 cups
Great Dane, Malamute, St. Bernard, Mastiff Over 75 pounds
5-8 cups
2 cans + 2½ to 5 1/4 cups
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The first 8 weeks
Puppies should not be separated from their mother before they are 8 weeks old. Puppies who leave their mothers sooner have a rougher time adjusting and a higher incidence of illnesses. I do not know if it is due to weakened immunity or mourning the premature loss of its family. Their mother's milk provides them with the nutrition and antibodies they need to become healthy dogs. At three to four weeks, puppies should begin eating some solid food. You can try mixing three parts food with one part water or puppy replacement milk . This will make the food easier for the puppy to digest. If your puppy begins eating a little solid food before they leave their mother they will have an easier time adjusting when you bring them home. One way to tell if a puppy is ready to come home with you is if it prefers human company over their mom or siblings.
6 to 8 weeks
Feed your puppy 3-4 times a day. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. Choose a puppy food that provides the appropriate balance of nutrients your puppy needs. Be sure they are getting the right amount of protein and calcium, and the proper amount of calories. Check the label to determine if you are feeding your puppy a balanced diet. Meat should be the first ingredient on the label.
After 8 weeks
Feed your puppy twice a day.
3 to 6 months
Your puppy will be teething. He may become a finicky eater or loose his appetite. Keep feeding him nutritious food twice a day. If he has an upset stomach for more then one or two days, take him to the veterinarian.
6 months to 1 year
Your puppy may look all grown up but he is still a puppy. He should still be fed puppy food for the added nutrition. Feed him the puppy food for the first year. In some larger breeds even into the second year. Ask your veterinarian when you should switch to adult food. Make sure the adult food you switch to is still a balanced diet with the first ingredient being meat.
8 to 9 months
Feeding can be reduced to once a day.
2 years
Smaller breeds can start on adult food when they are a year old. Larger breeds should stay on puppy food until they are fully mature which is usually about 2 years of age. Ask your veterinarian when to switch your dog.
When switching to a new food, gradually transition him to the new food by mixing portions of both foods until you slowly phase the old food out. Your puppy may experience diarrhea if his food is suddenly changed.
Feed your puppy at the same time every day.
Always have fresh drinking water available.
Keep food and water bowls clean.
Don't overfeed your puppy.
Follow the guidelines on the puppy food package for recommended feeding amounts.
Monitor your puppy's weight and activity level, and make feeding adjustments as necessary.
Don't be alarmed if your puppy's appetite changes. It is normal for your puppy to lose his appetite or experience digestive upset occasionally. If your puppy's upset stomach becomes severe or last longer than a day or two, contact your veterinarian.
If you are mixing water to dry food you should mix 4 parts dry food to 1 part water.
The first ingredient in your dogs food should be a "Meat". Not a "Meat Meal" or Meat By-Product, but the real thing. Puppies were not meant to primarily eat Corn and Wheat. If the first ingredient in your dog food is a Corn, Wheat, Meat-MEAL or Meat-By-Product Steer clear. The first ingredient represents what the dog food is most made out of. By-Products are the left overs, such as the Eyes, Hooves, Skin and Feet (unless the dog food specifically stats otherwise.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Typical Breed
Weight As An Adult Dog
Dry Food
Dry Food Mixed With Can Food
Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle
Up to 10 pounds
1/3 to 1 cup
1/4 can + up to 3/4 cup
Miniature Poodle, Scottish Terrier 10-25 pounds
1 to 2 1/4 cups
½ can + ½ to 1½ cups
Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Springer Spaniel 25-50 pounds
2 1/4 to 3 3/4 cups
1 can + 1 to 2½ cups
Collie, Boxer, Labrador, Golden Retriever 50-75 pounds
3 3/4 to 5 cups
1½ cans + 1 3/4 to 3 cups
Great Dane, Malamute, St. Bernard, Mastiff Over 75 pounds
5-8 cups
2 cans + 2½ to 5 1/4 cups
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first 8 weeks
Puppies should not be separated from their mother before they are 8 weeks old. Puppies who leave their mothers sooner have a rougher time adjusting and a higher incidence of illnesses. I do not know if it is due to weakened immunity or mourning the premature loss of its family. Their mother's milk provides them with the nutrition and antibodies they need to become healthy dogs. At three to four weeks, puppies should begin eating some solid food. You can try mixing three parts food with one part water or puppy replacement milk . This will make the food easier for the puppy to digest. If your puppy begins eating a little solid food before they leave their mother they will have an easier time adjusting when you bring them home. One way to tell if a puppy is ready to come home with you is if it prefers human company over their mom or siblings.
6 to 8 weeks
Feed your puppy 3-4 times a day. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. Choose a puppy food that provides the appropriate balance of nutrients your puppy needs. Be sure they are getting the right amount of protein and calcium, and the proper amount of calories. Check the label to determine if you are feeding your puppy a balanced diet. Meat should be the first ingredient on the label.
After 8 weeks
Feed your puppy twice a day.
3 to 6 months
Your puppy will be teething. He may become a finicky eater or loose his appetite. Keep feeding him nutritious food twice a day. If he has an upset stomach for more then one or two days, take him to the veterinarian.
6 months to 1 year
Your puppy may look all grown up but he is still a puppy. He should still be fed puppy food for the added nutrition. Feed him the puppy food for the first year. In some larger breeds even into the second year. Ask your veterinarian when you should switch to adult food. Make sure the adult food you switch to is still a balanced diet with the first ingredient being meat.
8 to 9 months
Feeding can be reduced to once a day.
2 years
Smaller breeds can start on adult food when they are a year old. Larger breeds should stay on puppy food until they are fully mature which is usually about 2 years of age. Ask your veterinarian when to switch your dog.
