Bringing a new puppy into the family is a wonderful and chaotic time. Nothing brings as many laughs or as much frustration to a home as a puppy. Even though at times you may wish the little bundle of fur would hurry up and mature, puppyhood is a short but precious time that should be enjoyed before it passes.
One simple way to help keep the chaos down is by feeding them properly.
What to Feed a Pup
Much like human children, what you feed a pup greatly affects their behavior and ability to learn. But puppies have one other diet-related concern—how fast they grow.
Commercial puppy food is formulated to support proper growth, containing essential nutrients like the fatty acid DHA, which is believed to improve a puppy’s ability to learn. It’s also easy to digest for puppy tummies and usually highly palatable, meaning puppies are eager to eat it. The kibble is generally smaller than adult versions, making it easier for little mouths to chew.
There are two main types of puppy food on the market—regular and large breed. Large breed puppy food is designed to promote slow and steady growth in large and giant breed puppies. Fast growth has been linked to hip dysplasia and other growth-related issues where bones grow faster than the rest of the body can support.
The addition of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to puppy food is a relatively new development. DHA is a member of the omega-3 fatty acid family and is crucial for optimal neural development in mammals. When added to a puppy’s diet, DHA can enhance trainability and overall health. Eukanuba/Iams was one of the first brands to include DHA in all of their puppy foods, and many other manufacturers have followed suit.
As with adult dog food, it’s important to watch the ingredient list for excessive amounts of corn or wheat, which are often used as fillers. Ingredients are listed by weight, so manufacturers sometimes break an ingredient down into smaller parts. For example, corn may appear as ground corn, corn flour, corn bran, and corn meal. By adding these together, you can see how much corn is really in the food.
Meat and meat by-products can confuse the average puppy owner as well. The Association of American Feed Control Officers (A.A.F.C.O.) defines meat by-products as:
“The non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low-temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. It does not include hair, horns, teeth, and hooves. It shall be suitable for use in animal food. If it bears a name descriptive of its kind, it must correspond thereto.”
Although this definition may sound off-putting, these parts of the animal are actually higher in nutrients than the meat itself and, in the wild, would be the first parts eaten. Do they belong in your pet’s diet? Absolutely! However, there are varying degrees of quality among meat by-products. Watch for the AAFCO stamp on dog food bags that contain meat by-products to ensure that the food meets acceptable standards.
What to Give a Pup as a Treat
Deciding what treats to give your puppy can be tricky. Many dog treats contain high levels of sugar, artificial colors, flavors, and various nitrates. Look for biscuits and chews labeled organic or 100% natural, and always check the ingredient list for anything ending in ‘-ose’ (e.g., sucrose, fructose, dextrose). These are just fancy terms for sugar, and just like with your children, you should avoid feeding your puppy sugar.
Homemade Diets and Puppies
The main concern with feeding a puppy a homemade or raw diet is whether the puppy is receiving balanced nutrition. For small breeds that don’t have growth issues, a homemade diet is generally fine as long as the puppy is developing normally, not too fat or too thin, and has a healthy coat. However, for large or giant breeds, where growth is rapid and unpredictable, a homemade diet may not be the best option.
Feeding the Right Amount of Food
The caloric needs of puppies vary widely, even within the same litter. Energy levels, gender, growth rate, and exercise all play a role in how many calories a pup needs to stay healthy and grow at a steady pace. The side of the puppy food bag is a good starting point, but ultimately, it’s up to your observation and judgment.
Skinny puppies are healthy puppies. In short-coated breeds, the last rib should be visible, and in thick-coated breeds, the ribcage should be felt through their plush coat. While puppies may look adorable when they’re fat and roly-poly, this isn’t healthy, especially for giant breeds or those prone to hip dysplasia.
To judge how much food your pup needs, start with the guidelines the breeder gave you. Then, monitor their fat levels (not their weight) and adjust the amount of food accordingly. If your puppy loses fat, give them a few extra kibbles. If they gain fat, reduce the amount. Puppies are often ravenous, so appetite alone isn’t a reliable indicator of their food requirements. For a puppy who’s constantly hungry, try feeding three or four smaller meals throughout the day, or add a teaspoon of canned pumpkin to their breakfast. The high fiber content will help them feel full without increasing body fat or affecting their nutrient levels.
Who to Ask for Help
If you’re unsure about what to feed your puppy, the best advice will come from your veterinarian. While there is much online information about veterinary education on nutrition, it’s important to remember that veterinarians are trained experts who can assess your puppy’s health and development. They’re in the best position to offer sound advice based on their knowledge and experience.
Puppyhood is short, so feed your puppy well, train consistently, attend puppy classes, and make your puppy a beloved member of your family. Before you know it, your puppy will be a well-mannered, intelligent, and affable companion.
