We have pulled together our top puppy feeding tips so that you can get to grips with all the basics without having to scroll for hours!
- Select your puppy’s food brand based on reading and evaluating what is written on the label, not which conglomerate has the biggest advertising budget! Look for a high meat content and try to avoid products that are bulked out with fillers (like rice and other grains) or moisture.
- Cheap puppy food is usually cheap for a reason, and you might have an unwell puppy and incur higher vet bills if he is not eating a good quality, complete diet that is right for him.
- Most supermarkets have a very limited puppy food selection, and they normally do not stock the best quality brands. You can often find better quality and better value buying directly online.
- Read the feeding guide on the label and consider that, along with your puppy’s activity level, body condition, and appetite to determine the right daily amount. Consult our handy body condition guide and seek advice from your vet if you are not sure.
- Feed young puppies under 12 weeks old little and often, with 4 meals spread evenly across the day. From 3-6 months old, feed your puppy 3 times daily. At 6 months old, switch to two meals per day.
- Supervise your puppy while he is eating. Use meal times as a training opportunity, asking him to “sit” before you place the bowl of food on the floor. It is important to instill good manners and polite behaviour at this early age.
- Choose a quiet spot to feed your puppy where he can eat without being too distracted. Somewhere easily cleaned is preferable, with a smooth or tiled floor. If carpets are your only option, you might want to use a dog feeding mat beneath the bowl.
- Avoid feeding your puppy immediately before or after exercise. Try to leave at lease 1 hour between activity and food.
- Some puppies are allergic to specific food ingredients. Common allergens include grain, beef, dairy, soya and eggs, so we do not use any of these ingredients in our Paw recipes. If your puppy has loose stools persistently, or his chewing at his paws a lot or scratching his ears, this could be a sign of a food allergy or intolerance, so you might want to consult your vet.
- If you want to change your puppy’s food, you should do this gradually. Mix the old food with the new food, starting with 75% old and 25% new. Increase the proportion of new food each day over the course of 7 days or more. You can read more about transitioning between brands and recipes here.
