Signs of copper deficiency include loss of hair pigment, hyperextension of the toes, splayed toes, and anemia.ĭigestibility: A puppy’s digestive tract is still maturing, so their food should be highly digestible to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort or upset. Large- and giant-breed puppies require restricted calcium amounts to prevent them from growing too quickly or excessively.Ĭopper: Puppies can develop copper deficiency if the mineral isn’t supplied in their food. As they age, their need for protein slowly reduces.įat: Fat is necessary for growing puppies because it’s high in calories, contains essential fatty acids, and acts as a carrier for vital vitamins.Ĭarbohydrates: Until adulthood, carbohydrates should be included in the food at about 20% dry matter (when moisture is removed) to optimize metabolism and overall health.Ĭalcium and phosphorous: To support their growing bones, puppies need more calcium and phosphorous than adult dogs. Protein: Newly weaned puppies (puppies recently removed from their mother’s milk) require the most protein. Puppy foods provide energy and key nutrients in amounts to support growth, including:Įnergy: To support their growing bodies and greater activity levels, puppies need to be provided with sufficient energy (calories) to meet their rapid metabolic needs. Feeding Your PuppyĪlways feed your puppy a dog food formulated for growth-it will have a greater concentration of nutrients such as protein, fat, and calcium to help support growing muscles and bones. As your puppy continues to grow, his body condition will begin to normalize again, indicating that his nutrient needs are in balance. If you do find that your puppy is becoming overweight, reduce the amount of food fed per day-while maintaining the same feeding schedule-and increase his daily low-impact exercise by taking your dog on more frequent walks or encouraging him to swim. So instead of relying on the pet food label chart, talk with your veterinarian about the best feeding plan for your new family member. But these charts often overshoot the amount necessary to feed your pup and don’t consider your dog’s individual needs and current condition. The puppy food you select will likely have a feeding chart on the label describing how much food to give your dog depending on his body weight. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but the goal is to prevent your puppy from growing too quickly and becoming obese. The amount of food is based on your puppy’s current body weight and body condition score. Here are two examples of puppy feeding schedules: Three-Meal Feeding Schedule for a Puppyįeed bedtime snack/fourth designated meal To find the best puppy feeding times, develop a schedule that works with your weekday routine that can also be followed on weekends. Smaller, more frequent meals will help regulate your puppy’s rapid metabolism and help keep him full throughout the day. For example, feed your puppy’s first meal around 7 a.m., noontime for lunch, and 5 p.m. A puppy’s meal schedule must include at least three measured meals a day, preferably at the same time every day.
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