Ask any puppy what the highlight of their day might be, and they're sure to tell you – with an excited bark, pant and occasional sulk – that eating is right up there.
That's why it's so important to get your puppy into a feeding time routine from an early age. The good news is, puppies love routine almost as much as they love food!
How often should I feed my puppy?
Once your puppy has finished weaning, you should feed him or her 3-4 times a day up until they are 6 months old. Then you can take it back to 2 times a day.
Try sticking to a certain type of food for at least 6-8 weeks to see how it agrees with your puppy's taste buds and digestive system.
Is this food right for my puppy?
Signs to look for that the food you are using may be good for your dog include:
- a healthy, shiny coat
- lots of energy
Signs to look for that can tell you that the food you are using may be bad for your dog include:
- skin diseases
- diarrhoea
- lethargy
- a dry, brittle and dull coat
If you decide to change food types, do it gradually over 7 days. This gives your puppy's digestive system time to adapt.
Tough love feeding – be the boss
Men, women and children first
If possible, always eat before you feed your puppy. While it's not easy to resist those big pleading eyes, this teaches them who's boss and makes for a much better-mannered little diner.
Say no to leftovers
Which brings us to leftovers. Don't feed puppy your dinner scraps. They're unlikely to be nutritionally suitable and can cause upsets in little tummies.
Closed, be back later
And finally, don't leave your puppy's bowl out so they can graze all day. Take any uneaten food away after 20 minutes.
Time to kick up the paws and relax
Once your puppy has eaten, let them rest – this helps aid digestion and prevents digestive upsets. And like the best of us, after a meal, puppies often need to go to the toilet. Keep this in mind with toilet training.
Article and image reproduced with permission from pawclub.com.au
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