Just as in humans, the growth and development phases are critical periods in dogs, and nutritional errors during these phases can lead to irreparable consequences. Therefore, choosing the right food for puppies—whether dry (puppy kibble) or wet (puppy canned food)—and giving it in the right amount and frequency is of paramount importance.
Puppies have higher nutritional requirements than adult dogs. In fact, puppies use the energy and nutrients from food not only for the proper functioning of their bodies and maintaining body temperature, but also for building bones, muscles, tissues, and organs. That’s why a puppy’s diet needs to be richer in energy and nutrients, and more digestible compared to the typical maintenance diet of an adult dog.
The first six months of life represent the period of fastest growth for puppies. During this time, their energy and nutritional requirements are greatly increased to support the rapid development of tissues. These increased nutritional needs are met through the consumption of higher amounts of food, which should be divided into 3-4 portions per day. During this rapid growth phase (the first six months), the energy requirements of a puppy are approximately twice as high as those of an adult dog of the same size. However, after six months of age, the energy requirements decrease as growth slows. Once the puppy reaches its adult size, it’s necessary to gradually change the dietary regimen to avoid excessive weight gain or obesity. At this point, the frequency of feeding can be reduced to two portions a day.
Choosing the Right Type of Puppy Food
When it comes to puppies’ protein requirements, in addition to the amounts needed for maintenance (i.e., to replace the normal turnover of body proteins), puppies need increased amounts of protein to support the synthesis of new tissues. Proteins in the puppy’s diet should be of high quality and highly digestible to provide the necessary amounts and proportions of essential amino acids. In this regard, animal proteins are more complete, balanced, and digestible for puppies (and adult dogs) than plant-based proteins.
Nowadays, many types of high-quality puppy food are available on the market. They generally come in two forms, each with its own advantages and disadvantages: dry food (puppy kibble) and wet food (puppy canned food). Puppy kibble contains approximately 10% water and has a higher energy and nutrient density than wet food. It is practical, has a long shelf life (unless moistened with water to make it softer for younger puppies), and is beneficial for the health of teeth and gums by keeping them clean through chewing. On the other hand, puppy canned food contains about 75% water, has a more tender texture, and typically offers higher animal protein content than dry food. The disadvantages include its shorter shelf life once the can is opened, its tendency to promote tartar formation, and the need to feed it in larger volumes due to its high water content and, consequently, lower energy and nutrient density.
Regardless of which form of puppy food is chosen, it is important that it be of high quality. Aside from providing adequate and balanced amounts of all nutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, particularly calcium and phosphorus), the ideal puppy food should be made with high-quality ingredients. In this regard, the protein source is of paramount importance. Foods containing mainly cheap protein sources, such as animal by-products, meat meals, or vegetable protein, are not of high quality and are not suitable for puppies. These proteins often lack the essential amino acids in the right proportion and are less digestible, making them less beneficial for puppies than muscle meat.
When discussing puppy nutrition, it is also important to consider the differences between dog breeds of various sizes. The canine species is unique, as it contains a surprising variety of breeds, ranging from the tiny Chihuahua (1 kg) to the large Saint Bernard (80-100 kg). As a result, the length of the growth phase varies by breed: small breeds take 8-10 months to reach adulthood, medium breeds 10-14 months, and large/giant breeds 14-24 months. Due to the longer growth phase in large and giant breeds, any dietary imbalances during development have more severe consequences in these breeds.
Small to medium-sized breed puppies reach adulthood relatively early. Therefore, it’s important to avoid overfeeding them to prevent obesity during later stages of life. For large and giant breed puppies, an excess of dietary energy during growth can lead to skeletal disorders. Overfeeding these puppies can cause a growth rate so high that their immature skeletal system can’t keep up. Additionally, adding calcium supplements to an already complete and balanced diet can inhibit bone formation. It is clear that puppies should not be fed ad libitum (free-feeding) to avoid obesity in smaller breeds and musculoskeletal disorders in larger breeds.
In summary, the basic rules for feeding puppies include:
- Using food (puppy kibble or canned food) that is highly digestible, nutritious, of high quality, and appropriate for the growth phase of puppies;
- Feeding controlled portions;
- Feeding 3-4 portions a day until 4-6 months of age, then reducing to 2 portions a day after six months;
- Avoiding supplements in an already complete and balanced diet.
