Consider the Growth and Development of a Puppy:
Gestation lasts between 60 and 66 days, meaning that from egg to birth takes about two months.
When puppies are born, they are blind, deaf, and unable to walk, urinate, defecate, or maintain their own body temperature without external help. They are born this way because they spend insufficient time in the womb, as their mother must be able to hunt and provide for them.
By the time they are 21 days old, puppies can see, hear, walk, control their bladder and bowels, and maintain their body temperature. They also play, bark, fight, and learn at an astonishing rate. On average, a medium-sized breed puppy will have gained four to six times its birth weight and will be starting to eat solid food.
At eight weeks old, domesticated pups are ready to leave their mother. They may weigh ten to fifteen times their birth weight, depending on their breed, and can hold their bladder for up to six hours if necessary. Many already know a handful of commands and are eager to learn how to live in harmony with humans.
Within another four short months, some breeds of dogs become sexually mature and can have litters of their own. However, most responsible breeders wait until the dog is two years old to breed for a myriad of reasons. By six months old, a puppy is a fully functioning member of the canine community, and many working dogs are already performing their roles within another six months.
In the first year of life, the average puppy experiences growth and mental development equivalent to twenty-one to twenty-four human years. How are we supposed to feed a balanced and nutritionally sound diet to support such rapid changes?
What You Need to Know About Feeding Puppies
Much like feeding human babies, feeding puppies is not rocket science; humans have been doing it for thousands of years. However, puppies today are living longer than ever before, with a mortality rate that far exceeds their four-legged counterparts from a century or two ago. In some ways, more is expected of them in our modern society, where less time, energy, and knowledge are devoted to the average family pet compared to its ancestors. When you consider the drastic changes to a dog’s natural environment, it becomes clear why modern-day pups require a high-quality, well-balanced diet.
Not all puppy food is created equal! Fillers are ingredients that provide empty calories, devoid of any significant nutrition. They may fill up a puppy’s tummy without supplying the necessary nutrients to support growth.
How Do You Avoid These Foods?
Price can be a solid indicator. The profit margin on commercial dog food is small, so cheaper options often contain lower-quality ingredients. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Next, read the ingredient list! Is corn listed in four different forms, each with a different name? Corn meal, corn bran, and corn flour all start out as corn—simple as that. However, dog food manufacturers often break whole foods down into these smaller, lighter forms, which can rank lower on the ingredient list. This can obscure the actual amount of a particular product contained in the bag.
This ingredient list manipulation can backfire even with top-quality ingredients, as it may obscure the presence of fillers and low-quality foods. For instance, if various parts of chicken are listed in four different ways among the first six ingredients, there’s a good chance the bag contains enough high-quality protein to support a growing puppy, even if it’s not the very first item on the list.
After assessing the quality of the nutrients in the food, the next most important factor is ensuring the nutrient levels match the individual puppy’s needs. Many people mistakenly believe that large breed puppies require more protein and calcium than small breed puppies because of their rapid growth. However, consider the amount of food a small breed puppy eats compared to a large breed puppy. Percentage-wise, small breed puppies actually require less protein and calcium because they consume larger volumes of food. Additionally, large breed puppies should grow at a slow, steady rate, rather than experiencing rapid growth spurts. A lower percentage of protein and calcium helps support this steady growth, reducing the incidence of growth-related conditions in large breed dogs.
The final consideration is how much food to feed a puppy. Manufacturers’ recommendations are listed on the bag and are based on the puppy’s weight and the caloric value of the food. These are merely guidelines, however, and common sense is essential for keeping your puppy healthy. Before each meal, assess your puppy’s condition. Is he getting a bit pudgy? Cut back by about ten percent. Is he looking skinny or ravenous? He may be in the midst of a growth spurt and need a few extra calories to get through the day. Add a few extra kibbles to his dish, but no more than ten percent of the total meal—you don’t want to overfeed him and risk making him vomit. This practice of adjusting food based on your dog’s body condition rather than strict measurements in cups is a good habit that will help maintain a healthy weight throughout his life.
Feeding puppies is not rocket science. Use your common sense, read labels, and do your research before stepping into the pet food store. If in doubt, consult your veterinarian for recommendations on food and to discuss your pup’s nutritional requirements.
Bringing home your new puppy from a reputable breeder should be a highlight you will cherish for the rest of your life together. Ensure it’s a long life by feeding him properly from the moment he becomes a member of your family.
