From sleep schedules and exercise routines to grooming and nutrition, there’s so much to think about when you welcome your new fur baby home.
Their diet is one of the most difficult things to figure out, and it’s vital you get it right.
Your puppy’s diet plays an important role in their growth – helping their minds and bodies to develop healthily.
Admittedly, it can be a little baffling for new, first-time dog owners to determine what, when and how much to feed their precious pooches – especially with so many different feeding regimes out there.
In this blog, the experts at Pet Shop Online outline some of the best tips and tricks when it comes to feeding your canine.
What do I feed my new puppy?
Puppies grow 20 times faster than adult dogs, so it’s vital they’re fuelled properly.
Most people assume that dog food for puppies, adult dogs and senior dogs is the same – it’s just the serving sizes that differ. But this isn’t the case.
Puppy-specific food is much smaller, so they can chew and swallow it with ease. It contains all the essential nutrients they need to grow and develop, and more calories to allow them to replenish the energy they burn during playtimes.
How much food do they need?
There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ kind of answer to this question, as every puppy’s requirements are different.
How much you feed your puppy depends on their current size and age, as well as their predicted weight and yes, their breed.
For example, a small laid-back 6-month-old Chihuahua won’t need half as many calories as a larger, boisterous 12-week-old Golden Retriever.
Failing to provide the right level of nutrients for your puppy whilst they’re still growing will only lead to complications later down the line.
How often should I feed them?
Typically, most pups will eat as follows:
- 2-3 months old / 3 or 4 meals daily – smaller dogs will benefit from more frequent meals
- 3-6 months old / 3 meals daily
- 6-12 months old / 2 or 3 meals daily – some smaller breeds will still appreciate more meals, but most should only need two
- 12 months or older / 1 or 2 meals daily – larger, older dogs tend to eat less often, and once fully mature, most will choose to eat just once a day.
When you first bring them home, try and aim for a breakfast meal, an afternoon meal and an evening meal or whenever they seem eager to eat!
When should I switch from puppy to adult food?
Puppy and adult food may seem similar, but they are far from the same.
Once your dog is an adult, they will no longer need everything that puppy food has to offer, but when you switch will depend on a couple of factors, again including your dog's breed and size.
You could be making the transition anywhere from 9 months to 2 years – it all just depends on your dog.
Shop high-quality dog and puppy food at Pet Shop Online
Here at Pet Shop Online, we’re passionate about providing the highest quality foods for your fur baby, which is why we stock a vast selection of dog and puppy foods from some of the most renowned brands in the UK.
You can be confident that your canine companion is getting a tasty meal with all the nutrients they need, and at some of the most competitive prices, what’s not to love?
In need of more information or expert recommendations?
Be sure to get in touch with the team at Pet Shop Online.
Give us a call on 0161 728 4656 or send your query by email to shop@pet-shop-online.co.uk for a speedy response from one of our specialists.
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