Feeding a Puppy - Take the Guesswork Out Of It!

Puppy health actually depends on what you are feeding a puppy. Just as in humans, if they are fed a lot of "junk" food, it will show in their weight, quality of coat, breath and dental health. Wow! That puts a lot of pressure on you, as owner, to make sure that your pet gets a well-balanced diet!

Depending on your dog or puppy's activity levels, they need both protein and carbohydrates, as well as fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Sound like more work than you thought? Well, lucky for you, feeding a puppy doesn't have to be hard work. Many commercial dog foods contain all these necessary elements. Stick to dry dog food as much as possible, though...

... wet, or canned dog food causes bad breath, dental problems (just like when we eat junk food) and higher chances of obesity. So let's break it down a little more.

Start Your Pup Off Right:
This is the most important time in your dog's life. Their little bodies are growing, and now is when their skeletal, immune and other systems develop and mature. The biggest mistake many people make is over-nutrition. As a puppy, this won't make them fat, but it will make them grow very quickly.

How is this a problem? Well, a puppy's bone growth can't keep up with the growth of their body mass...
which means that while they may look healthy and big, their bones are weak. This in turn causes serious skeletal problems, either early in life or later on (i.e. hip dysplasia). It's always better for them to grow slowly and steadily, giving their bones the
chance to grow strong and dense.

As for how to feed, never let them "graze" all day. You should be feeding a puppy in portions several times a day, so that you can monitor how much they are consuming, and record their weight weekly. Fresh water should always be available.

Ideal Body Weight:
Obesity in dogs is a common problem. And while it doesn't happen overnight, it can be hard to detect in the beginning stages. What you are feeding your puppy now will determine what your dog will look like later on in life.
Want to know if your dog is over-weight? Try this:

1) Look at your dog from the side. Check if his tummy is tucked up against his body. If it is flat or hanging, he/she is over-weight or obese.
2) Look at him from above. You should be able to see an hour-glass figure from his ribs to his hips (an obvious "waist"). If your dog is equally broad throughout this area, or his belly bulges out, he is over-weight.
3) Run your hands lightly down the dog's sides from shoulders to hips. You should be able to feel his individual ribs. If you can feel fat over the ribs, or need to press down in order to feel them, your dog is obese.

Obesity will shorten your dog's life, and heightens the risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. How to keep him/her at ideal body weight? Feed proper amounts of food (no grazing!), give plenty of exercise and watch what you feed as treats. High fat treats that you should avoid: cheese (120 calories/slice), wieners (120 calories for one), lots of peanut butter (a little bit here and there is OK).

For example, I have a beagle cross (who, for her size, needs about 500 calories a day). If I give her piece of cheese, a hot dog and some peanut butter in her kong toy, that's already about 300 calories and she hasn't even eaten her meal yet!

Try giving your dog/puppy carrots for a treat - they are no calories, and dogs love to crunch on them!

Be Aware of Your Dog's Changing Needs:
You will need to change your dog's diet occasionally. Things that influence your dog's nutritional needs are age, activity levels, neutering and breed. You won't always be feeding a puppy - he will grow up fast! Don't be afraid to ask your vet for their advice on whether or not you should adjust your dog's diet.

Just a couple notes about feeding bowls and water. You should feed your puppy or dog in stainless steel bowls as opposed to plastic. They are easier to keep clean, and plastic bowls can give your dog "pimples" under their chin. Some large breed dogs will be able to digest their food easier if fed in raised bowls.

Water is very important for a dog. They get rid of excess heat by panting, and this loss of fluid needs to be replaced by drinking. In the summer especially, make sure your dog has plenty of water all the time. In the winter, they still need water (not snow...) as the cold can make them dehydrated quickly.

Remember, this is simply an overview on proper nutrition and guidelines for feeding a puppy or dog. Always get advice from your vet if you are unsure about something!

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