Do you have a puppy or are you planning to adopt a puppy in the future?
It’s important to buy things your puppy needs like chew toys, a bed and a crate. But by far the most important item you will buy your puppy is food. You might be wondering if it’s OK to feed your puppy adult dog food, especially if you already have dog food in the house.
It might be tempting to buy your puppy adult dog food because it is less expensive. It might seem like it makes good economic sense to buy one bag of food for both animals.
The reality is that it is not a good idea to regularly feed your puppy adult dog food because the nutritional needs of a puppy are significantly different than adult dogs.
Here are 8 reasons you should feed your puppy a formula that is specifically designed for puppies.
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- The bones, muscles and organs of your puppy are growing at a rapid pace. Your puppy needs special nutrition to support all of that growth. Puppy food is formulated to help them grow and develop in a healthy manner.
- Puppies have smaller mouths than grown-up dogs so they need a smaller kibble.
- Puppies have weaker jaw muscles so they need food that is easier to chew.
- Puppies have softer teeth. Hard dog kibble may break your puppy’s teeth or dislocate his jaw. Puppy chow has taken your puppy’s smaller mouth, softer teeth and weaker jaws into account.
- Puppies have sensitive stomachs that generally can’t tolerate a regular diet of adult food. They need food that is easy to digest and absorb.
- The nutritional formula of puppy food is exceptionally different than an adult dog formula. Feeding your puppy adult food could possibly stunt his growth and lead to health problems throughout his life. Adult dog food has fillers and sugars that can be detrimental for your puppy.
- The density of the nutrition in puppy food is much higher than the density of adult dog food. This is because puppies are growing so quickly that they need more protein, vitamins and minerals. These ingredients will help your puppy have the nutrients he needs to grow strong and healthy.
- Puppy food provides puppies with the higher energy needs of a puppy. Puppies are curious and adventurous – always getting into one thing or another. This exploration is important for the physical and mental development of your puppy. Your puppy chow needs to support this developmental stage.
What About My Puppy’s First 8 Weeks?
The best nutrition for your pup for the first 8 weeks is his mother’s milk. A mother’s dog milk is perfectly formulated for your puppy, including the right antibiotics to ensure your puppy starts building a strong and effective immune system. This is one reason why puppies are not ready to leave their mothers until they are at least 8 weeks old.
When Is My Puppy Ready for Solid Food?
Once your puppy is ready to start eating regular puppy food, make sure you are feeding your puppy the best type of food for the breed and right amount as he grows. Talk to your vet or breeder to make sure you are feeding him enough – but not too much. Some breeds will continue to beg for food even if they are not hungry, leading to obesity. However, depriving your puppy of needed calories and nutrition can be just as detrimental as too much food.
How Long Does My Puppy Need Puppy Food?
Different dog breeds mature at different rates. Some breeds will take between 9 and 12 months to mature, where a large breed will take from 18 to 24 months to completely mature. Check with your vet to make sure you are feeding puppy food for the right length of time.
How Often Should I Feed My Puppy?
Since puppies’ tummies are smaller than adult dogs’ stomachs, you will need to feed your puppy more often. For the first 6 months, most vets recommend feeding your puppy 4 times a day. After 6 months, you can scale down to 3 times a day. After your dog is full-grown, you can feed him or her twice a day.
Is Dry Kibble or Canned Food Best for My Puppy?
Generally, your choices of puppy food are either wet or dry food. Wet food is easier for your puppy to digest but lacks other positive features puppy kibble offers. Most vets recommend dry kibble because it has the highest protein content, cleans your puppy’s teeth when he eats and is relatively affordable. It also doesn’t spoil as quickly as wet dry food.
The food you provide for your puppy is the best opportunity you have to ensure that your pup has fewer healthy problems throughout his or her life. A nutrient-dense, high-quality food that is formulated specifically for puppies is one of the best investments you can make in the health and development of your sweet puppy. Be sure to choose a high-quality puppy food for your newest family member!
Wondering when your puppy is old enough to go to daycare or boarding? In order to ensure the safety, sanitation and health for all dogs in our facility, puppies must be at least 12 weeks of age and have all 3 sets of Distemper as well as Bordetella vaccinations. Learn more here
Contact us here to learn more about enrolling your puppy or dog in daycare, making a reservation for overnight boarding or setting up a grooming appointment with our talented, loving groomer. We’d love to have you join our Canine Campus family!
I never thought about how my new puppy has a much more sensitive stomach and weaker jaw than my older dog. I’m glad your article talked about this so that we can find food that is specifically made for our puppy. My daughter just got him for her birthday so we obviously want to do our best to keep him happy and healthy.