Welcome to Clever Canine Co.'s comprehensive guide on puppy nutrition!
Whether you're a new to puppy ownership or an experienced dog owner, understanding the nutritional needs of your growing puppy is crucial for their health and development.
Let's look into the various types of puppy food available and how each can benefit your new puppy.
Understanding Puppy Nutritional Needs
Puppies are in a rapid growth phase, requiring a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients to support their development. Here are the key components of a healthy puppy diet:
Proteins: Essential for muscle growth and overall development. Look for high-quality animal proteins like chicken, beef, and fish.
Fats: Provide energy and support brain development. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are particularly beneficial.
Carbohydrates: Offer energy and support digestive health. Whole grains or vegetables are excellent sources.
Vitamins and Minerals: Crucial for bone growth, immune function, and overall health. Ensure the food includes a balanced mix of essential vitamins and minerals.
Water: Vital for hydration and overall health. Provide fresh water daily. Only allow 15-30 second of water intake at a time. If your puppy is gulping down excessive water, stop them and allow them to have more water after a few minutes have passed.
Types of Puppy Food
1. Natural Dry Food
Natural dry food, often referred to as kibble, is a popular choice among dog owners. It’s convenient, has a long shelf life, and is easy to store. High-quality natural dry foods are made with wholesome ingredients without artificial additives or preservatives.
Examples: Meals for Mutts, Lifewise, Black Hawk.
Pros:
Convenient and easy to store
Can helps maintain dental health by reducing plaque
Often more affordable than other options
Cons:
Some puppies may not find it as palatable as wet food
Ensure it's free from low-quality fillers like corn and soy
Large, frequent poops
2. Vet-Recommended Dry Food
Vet-recommended dry food is specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of puppies. These brands have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they provide balanced nutrition.
Examples: Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet.
Pros:
Formulated based on veterinary expertise
Contains nutrients and beneficial ingredients to help support a specific health need
Trusted by veterinarians for balanced nutrition
Cons:
Can be more expensive than standard dry food
Large, frequent poops
3. Rolls
Food rolls, also known as fresh rolls or food logs, offer a blend of wet and dry food benefits. They’re typically made from high-quality meats and can be sliced into convenient portions.
Examples: Prime100
Pros:
Highly palatable and nutritious
Easy to portion and serve
Often made from high-quality ingredients
Cons:
Needs refrigeration after opening
Can be pricey compared to dry food
4. Raw Food
The raw food diet, also known as the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet, consists of uncooked meats, organ, bones, fruits, and vegetables. People argue it mimics the natural diet of dogs' wild ancestors.
Examples: Big Dog, Canine Country, Organic Paws
Check out Big Dog: https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/
Pros:
Highly palatable and natural
Can provide high-quality protein and nutrients
May improve coat condition and overall vitality
Smaller, less frequent poops
Cons:
Requires careful handling to avoid bacterial contamination
Must be kept frozen and thawed when needed
Needs to be nutritionally balanced to avoid deficiencies (Stick to commercially prepared raw food diets to avoid deficiencies)
Vets aren't thrilled when you say that you feed raw food. Why? Because many people feed an UNBALANCED raw diet, so it's better to just tell people not to do it.
For more information, check out this facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/rpG8t3KrBpEqoc8e/
5. Air-Dried Food
Air-dried food is a newer addition to the market that combines the convenience of dry food with the nutritional benefits of raw food. The air-drying process removes moisture while retaining nutrients and flavor. (I personally use this as a TREAT)
Examples: Ziwipeak, Prime100 Air Dried
Pros:
Retains nutrients better than traditional dry food
Convenient and easy to store
Highly palatable, often more so than kibble
Typically made with high-quality, natural ingredients
Cons:
Can be much more expensive than traditional dry food
Availability might be limited compared to more common food types
Tips for Feeding Your Puppy
Follow a Schedule: Establish regular feeding times to help with digestion and training. Feed puppies 3 times a day for the first 6 months. Feedings can be changed to twice a day from 6 months to a year. You can feed your dog once a day as an adult, or contuine feeding twice a day if that works for you.
Portion Control: Overfeeding can lead to obesity and health issues. Follow the guidelines on your food packaging or consult your vet. The guidelines on the packaging is just a guideline! If your dog is gaining too much weight, then decrease their food. If your pup got extra treats that day, decrease their dinner.
Transition Gradually: When switching foods, do so gradually over a week to avoid digestive upset. For example: Day 1-2: 75% old food, 25% new food. Day 3-6: 50% old food, 50% new food. Day 6-8: 25% old food, 75% new. Day 9: 100% new food.
Monitor Growth: Regularly check your puppy’s weight and growth progress with your vet to ensure they’re on track.
Fussy Dog?
Fussy eating habits in dogs are often a result of learned behavior. It's essential to teach your puppy early on that the food you provide is what they have to eat. If they choose not to eat it, they simply miss that meal. Many pet parents make the mistake of offering alternative food, like chicken or eggs, when their dog refuses their regular meal. This essentially trains the dog to expect something better if they hold out.
If your dog decides not to eat their meal, don't panic. Give them about five minutes before removing the food. Offer the same food again at the next meal time. Leaving food out constantly sends a message to your dog that the food isn't valuable. Remember, dogs can go without food for up to three days without harm.
I've had customers tell me their dog is fussy, but the same dog has been caught trying to eat cat poop from the litter tray. This shows that dogs aren't naturally picky—they can develop these habits based on how we respond to their eating behavior. Be consistent and patient, and your dog will learn to eat the food you provide.
"I cook my dog chicken mince, rice and veggies EVERY NIGHT"
Honestly, you're paying good money to unbalanced your dog's food. I applaud you for trying to give your dog the best, however an unbalanced diet can have serious health consequences. I'll be honest, earlier tonight my dog did get some beef brisket and steamed sweet potatoes leftover from my own dinner, but this was as an addition to his raw food. A diet of muscle meat, veggies and rice is an okay for us humans, but it doesn't meet all the nutritional needs of our dogs. While occasional treats are okay, they shouldn't replace a balanced meal. Instead of spending money on ingredients that don't provide complete nutrition, consider investing in high-quality dog food, such as Big Dog. Take a look at the ingredients to see how they provide a well-rounded diet for your pet.
Personally, we feed:
I feed my dog raw food a majority of the time. We use Big Dog as it is convenient for us.
We have a bag of dry food as a backup and to fill toys with. We switch between Meals for Mutts, Taste of the Wild, Black Hawk and Lifewise.
I use the Prime100 Rolls as well as the Ziwipeak/Prime100 Air Dried for training purposes. If we do a big training day it is easy to work out how much dinner my dog gets as both those "Treats" are balanced dog foods.
Example: My dog gets roughly 400g of food a day.
If I'm training with 200g of Prime100 Roll this means 200g of raw food will be needed for dinner later that day.
The one thing I love about raw feeding is that people come to my house and the first thing they say is "Your house doesn't smell like dog?" Also, his poop doesn't smell either and it's (for his size) tiny and only twice a day.
Conclusion
Choosing the right food for your puppy is essential for their growth and development. Whether you opt for natural dry food, vet-recommended options, or raw food, make sure it meets their nutritional needs and fits your lifestyle.
Always consult with your veterinarian to tailor the best diet for your puppy's unique needs.
EVERYTHING IS FINE IN MODERATION
DO RESEARCH!
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