So you’re on the lookout for a puppy. Your first consideration has to be that it should be at least eight to ten weeks old before it leaves its mother’s care for your home. This is because it first has to wean off its mother’s feed before advancing to semi-solid and solid food at about five weeks and an early separation can cause behavioural disruptions as the years go by.
Nutrition Planning
Before the puppy is home, you should have decided and planned its nutrition for the next twelve weeks. It cannot be stressed enough that food cooked for humans and table scraps are off the menu and the entire household has to be in agreement with the decision and implement it without exception.
Keep the portions small and frequent, balanced with protein carbs, fats, minerals and vitamins and constant supply of freshwater in their bowl. Avoid impulsive and “pity” feeding and resist giving in to those “puppy dog eyes”. Pups can be the consummate con artists; so don’t fall for those innocent charms. Use this period as the first step in training and keep them away from the dining table.
By and large packaged pet foods provide a balanced diet. The order of the list of ingredients and their proportions will determine its premium. Take the nutritionists’ advice and decide what is best for your pet.
Feeding Frequency – The First Year
8 to 12 weeks
There are packaged foods that are specifically formulated for puppies. These contain all the necessary nutrition for foundational growth. A lot of dogs are lactose intolerant, please check with your vet before giving your dog milk. The same goes for wheat products, as there are reports of dogs developing allergies with gluten consumption. To enhance protein intake add a plain egg white or boiled soya granules. Gradually move to dry food by week 10 or 12 depending on the breed and prescription.
3 to 6 months
Observe the consumption patterns starting at this stage. If your puppy is shunning a feed or leaving a bit behind in the bowl, it is ready to come down to three feeds with the same proportions. It should have started to shed its baby fat but continue with puppy formulations that have been recommended.
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