Welcoming a new puppy into your life is truly a joy, but it also brings along a significant responsibility – making sure your furry companion is well-fed. You might find yourself grappling with questions like: How exactly do you go about feeding a puppy? What’s the optimal puppy food? How much, when, and how often should you feed them? And, of course, there’s the matter of what should stay off their menu for their well-being.
Whether you’re a first-time dog parent or it’s been a while since you’ve cared for such a small and dependent bundle of love, getting everything sorted can be a bit overwhelming. The plethora of advice and information swirling around might leave your head spinning.
But fret not! We’re here to help you navigate the world of puppy feeding, aiming to make life a tad more manageable.
How much do I Feed my Puppy
Feeding your puppy involves considering a variety of factors, especially when dealing with different breeds. A Giant Schnauzer puppy, for instance, will have distinct dietary needs compared to a Miniature Schnauzer
When it comes to feeding your puppy, three key factors come into play:
- Age
- Breed
- Size
Ensuring your puppy gets the right amount of nutritious food from an early age is crucial. This helps safeguard them against potential health issues in the future, such as being overweight or consuming inappropriate ingredients.
Puppies’ nutritional needs evolve as they grow and develop. Providing the right food to meet these changing requirements is essential for their healthy development. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance, as overfeeding can lead to upset stomachs and obesity.
Despite the irresistible charm of their big eyes and grandeur beard, resist the temptation to overfeed your puppy. Overindulgence can exert excessive pressure on their stomach and result in unnecessary weight gain. Use the guidelines on the food label as a starting point and adjust the quantity based on your puppy’s body condition score.
How Often Should I feed my Puppy
Before your puppy joins your home, they will have already gone through the weaning stages and likely have been fed about four to six times a day.
When you bring your puppy home between two to three months, it’s recommended to maintain four meals a day until they mature a bit. Keep in mind that they might be a bit nervous in their new environment, so it’s beneficial to maintain a sense of normalcy for them.
Puppies need frequent, small meals because, when they’re small, regulating their blood sugar can be a challenge. Providing food in smaller, more frequent portions helps stabilize their blood sugar levels, ensuring they consume enough to meet their significant nutritional needs for growth and development during this crucial period.
As your puppy advances to around four to six months, you can gradually reduce their meals to two to three times a day. Finally, when they reach their half-year milestone, it’s time to celebrate because they are ready to be fed like an adult – typically twice a day.
How Many Treats Can I give My Puppy
As you embark on training your new puppy, you’ll quickly discover that treats play a vital role, and that’s perfectly fine. These treats should serve as rewards for good behavior, but it’s crucial that they make up only 10% of your puppy’s daily caloric intake. It’s advisable to allocate specific time for training and restrict treat consumption to ensure they still receive a well-rounded diet.
For puppies, treats are ideally small, irresistible morsels. Opting for tiny treats prevents your puppy from getting too full, allowing you to maintain their focus on the training at hand. At Happy Beard Schnauzers, we cut up treats into tiny pieces. This way we are able to get more training in with less treat.
When should you switch puppies to adult dog food?
It’s crucial not to make the switch to adult food too soon for your puppy. The right time to transition depends on your puppy’s breed:
- Small-breed dogs, fully grown at 20 pounds or less, usually transition to adult food between 9 to 12 months. ( Ex Miniature Schnauzer)
- Medium-breed dogs, weighing between 20 and 50 pounds as adults, generally make the switch around 12 to 14 months. (Ex Standard Schnauzer)
- Large- and giant-breed dogs, weighing over 50 pounds when fully grown, might not be ready for adult food until they hit 12 to 24 months. (Ex Giant Schnauzer)
When making this transition, it’s important to do it gradually. Mix in some puppy food until their tummies get accustomed to the new diet.
What’s the best puppy food?
There are so many good choices when it comes to puppy food! We recommend puppy food made with high quality ingredients. At Happy Beard Schnauzers, we opt for: Diamond Puppy Food but there are plenty of others equal in quality. We recommend going to Dog Food Advisor to compare choices
conclusion
Hopefully this article helps shed some light on how to properly feed your new puppy. Choose for an optimal product, follow feeding guidelines, and watch your puppy thrive into a grandeur adult! For more tips on preparing for a new puppy, check out Getting Ready For a New Puppy – Anticipating What’s to Come