Feeding your Puppy
Feeding your puppy correctly is not difficult or complicated but especially important.
Try to find out what your puppy was fed before you acquired it and start off with a similar diet. Once they have settled in, gradually change to a preferred diet.
All changes to the diet should be made gradually to avoid stomach upsets or diarrhea. The pup’s diet should be based on superior quality commercial dog foods. Puppy kibbles are products available that are formulated especially to meet the needs of rapidly growing dogs. Base your puppy’s diet on these. A dry food or rehydrated dry food is best.
Canned food has a high content of water and cereal and is not always balanced. Introduce your puppy to a wide variety of food tastes and types. A fussy puppy is usually made that way by indulgent owners.
The puppy knows if it puts its nose up at the dog food, the owner will run out and buy barbequed chicken. Puppies do not starve themselves. If your puppy will not eat superior quality food that has been offered to them for more than a day, see your vet.
Always provide plenty of fresh, clean drinking water. Keep the water bowl clean.
Meat should be cooked but remember that dogs need more than just meat. They require a balance of protein and carbohydrates and more minerals and vitamins than can be found even in the best steak. While liver, heart and kidney are full of nutrition, do not feed these rich foods as more than just a part of a meal, and even then, not more than once a week. Puppies digest meat more easily when it is minced but by the time they are three months old they should be getting pieces big enough to chew.
Vegetables should be cooked as the dog’s digestive system cannot efficiently digest raw vegetables. Raw vegetables can provide useful fiber and bulk but are of little nutritional value.
Eggs should be cooked. The reason is twofold. Firstly, egg white contains ‘avidin’ which interferes with the absorption of some vitamins and biotin which can lead to dry skin and coat. Secondly, egg protein is more readily digested when cooked. A soft-boiled egg can be fed with its shell, as the shell supplies calcium.
Puppy Milk, unfortunately cow’s milk does not agree with all pups, as some can be lactose intolerant. In general, puppies do not need milk once they have left their mum. You need to watch they are not putting on excess weight, which is hard to tell with a puppy. A certain amount of fat is good for the coat and skin but if you are concerned ask your vet.
Raw Bones – at GVH we no longer recommend raw bones as risk of pathogens (bacteria and parasites) and injury from bones is significant
Frequency of Feeding
From 6 to 12 weeks, puppies need three or four meals a day. Twice daily is sufficient from 4 to 10 months for small breeds, and 4 to 16 months for large breeds.
Once daily feeding is adequate for older dogs. Dogs should be on a puppy diet until at least 12 months of age and up to 24 months, depending on breed. As an adult dog, premium quality dry food is all your dog needs to meet their nutritional requirements for the rest of his life.
Premium dog food is formulated with all the nutrients your dog needs at each stage of life. Of course, lots of water must always be available.
Vitamin Supplements are not necessary if feeding your puppy or dog a balanced diet. They can be helpful if your puppy or dog is recovering from sickness or an accident. We do not recommend feeding your dog a meat-only diet as this is not balanced in nutrients or vitamins and minerals. It can lead to growth, bone, and coat issues. Alternative diets such as Lyka offer fresh, lightly cooked nutritious food delivered to your home and is balanced and developed under Veterinary supervision, Ask our staff for a promotion code to receive a discount off your first order.
Toxic Foods
Some foods that we eat are toxic to animals. Have separate utensils for pet food and human food. Keep the dog’s food bowls and water bowls clean. Remind children to wash their hands after feeding or playing with pets. There are some bacteria and parasites that can be transferred from pets to people and from people to pets. Toxic foods include Onions, leeks, garlic, green onions, macadamia nuts, chocolate, grapes (and all grape products) raisins, avocado, xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in gum and other products) bread dough and caffeine are all toxic. Pear and apple seeds contain small traces of cyanide.
The stones of plums, peaches, apricots, mangoes, and corn cobs can be potentially dangerous, as they may cause intestinal blockages. Some plants and bulbs in the garden are also toxic if you are unsure ask your vet.
