Feeding
1
Feed your puppy 3- 4 times a day up until they are 4 months old, the amount will be on the back of the food bag (split the total amount into the 3-4 feedings). Once they are 4-6 months old transition to feeding twice a day.
2
Use a puppy food until one year old. The diamond naturals puppy food is also a great "all life stages" food and you can keep your dog on this indefinitely. If they get bored of the food, and you need to find another, you want to make sure meat or meat meal, (not meat by-product) is the first ingredient. Grain-free food has been associated with heart disease in dogs, so look for healthy grains like rice or oatmeal. Avoid food with corn products; these are cheap fillers. Look for a food that is 30% protein, 20% fat. Quality food is worth it! Your dog will eat less, poop less, and be healthier!
3
If you are going to switch food brands do it slowly or your puppy will get an upset stomach. Mix in just a little bit of the new food each day, gradually increase the amount. I suggest finding a few good brands, then rotate between those every 6 months or so, and between different flavors. Dogs get tired and bored of eating the same food all of the time. I've recommended a few foods for new puppy owners. If your puppy gets bored of this food, or if you have questions about a specific brand of food feel free to ask me about it! (PS, too many treats can make your dog act "bored" of real food).
4
If your puppy has an upset stomach feed just plain cooked chicken with white rice and chicken broth, and a small scoop of plain canned pumpkin.
5
The food your puppy will come home eating is on the Puppy Supply List. If your puppy gets bored of this food, or if you have questions about a specific brand of food feel free to ask me about it! (PS, too many treats can make your dog act "bored" of real food).
6
Coconut oil and Salmon oil are great for your puppy! Coconut oil is an overall health booster. And most dogs LOVE it! It is a natural antibiotic that helps with skin and coat health. Drizzle a teaspoon over their food daily to boost overall health. You can also put a squirt of salmon oil in their food. Probiotics are also super important. Especially as puppies when they are more susceptible to stomach issues due to stress and other changes. You can also put a tsp of plain yogurt in their food. A tsp of pumpkin puree in their food will help firm up their stools.
7
Train them to not have food/treat aggression. This is very important to do when they are young. When you feed them make sure and put your hand in and out of their food bowl while they are eating. Take out a few pieces of food, put in a few pieces of food. They need to get used to hands by their food while they are eating. If you have children have them do this as well so your puppy gets used to kids/people in their space while eating. When they have a treat or chew stick let them chew on it a few minutes while you are holding onto it. Also take it away after a few minutes, pet your puppy and give lots of praise. Then give it back. You could also replace treats while they are eating. Take a bone away, give them a little meat treat. Do this often. They need to know that you are in control of their food/treats and make sure it is always a positive experience. And if they show good behavior they get their treat back.
