Congratulations on your new addition! Puppies make everyone who cross their paths smile and laugh with their clumsy moves and goofy expressions as they explore their new world. When you add a new puppy to your family, you get a lifetime of love from someone who depends on YOU!
Because dogs vary greatly in their adult size, activity level, and breed behaviors, you need to consider a lot as you plan your puppy’s diet.
1). Your Puppy’s Caloric Needs
The National Research Council has stated that a 10 pound puppy who will, on average, weigh 33 pounds at adulthood needs roughly 1000 calories per day. Of these 1000 calories, 56 grams should be protein and 21 grams should be fat.
Have you ever received a body condition score from the vet? Have they pointed out the tummy tuck and the waist? One of the best ways for you to stay on top of your puppy’s diet is to do your own weekly evaluation. If you notice a bulging belly or a cute round pup, that puppy may actually be overweight or have a parasite load, both of which are bad for their health! You should be able to feel your puppy’s ribs, but they shouldn’t stick out drastically.
There are my charts that help you follow along to see if your puppy’s growth best matches their breed. For a mixed breed (thank you adopters!), guesstimate to the closest breed. If your puppy doesn’t fit the exact prediction, don’t start panicking yet! Stay on top of your monthly weight checks at the vet for the best results.
2). What your puppy eats
Most puppies join your family between 8 and 10 weeks of age and should be on a well established diet. If you plan to change what your dog is eating, do so slowly starting with 25% new puppy food and 75% current diet and over a couple weeks transition slowly to the new diet completely.
It is ideal to feed your puppy a puppy specific and branded food for the first 6 months of his life. Puppies require more calcium and phosphorus than the adult dog and the proper ratio of these nutrients is just as important as the actual amount of food you are feeding your new puppy.
3). Breed specific needs
Toy and small breed puppies are prone to low blood sugar as they have a higher metabolic rate and burn through calories faster. These dogs may need 4 smaller meals a day for the first 6 to 12 months of their life. Pay attention to your puppy! If you notice them acting sluggish, a touch of honey on their gums may help with low blood sugar.
With the larger breed puppies there are concerns they may be growing too fast! Extra weight on their weak joints may lead to orthopedic problems down the road, so a special blend for large breeds is best. These dogs do best with 3 meals a day and can transition to the standard 2 at around 6 months of age.
4). When to change caloric intake
There are a lot of factors that go into how many calories your puppy needs. Always stay on top of vet visits. If your puppy has a parasite such as roundworms, they may need extra nutrients as these parasites drain your puppy’s nutrients.
If your puppy has lots of energy such as the terriers and shepherds, they may need extra calories throughout the day to keep up with their burn! If you are planning a long walk or a hike, plan on providing extra healthy snacks.
Keep in mind your goal with your new puppy is steady growth. Make sure your puppy has the necessary nutrients but is not overweight as that can lead to further health problems down the road. Stay on top of your monthly vet checkups and do your own weekly body evaluation. All of these tips will help you enjoy your new best friend for years to come. Enjoy the chaos, and welcome home to your new furball!